UAF Geophysical Institute
System Interactions: The Lorax and the Truffula Tree
If the Lorax were to write a letter, what would he write? Introduce your class to systems and feedback loops through the whimsical stylings of Dr. Seuss. Learners take on the Lorax's point of view to write a letter, among other activities.
Channel Islands Film
Cache: Lesson Plan 3 - Grades 4-5
Should the excavation of what is believed to be the cave of the Lone Woman of San Nicholas Island be allowed to continue? As a practice exercise designed to prepare pupils for a timed writing exam, individuals read two Los Angeles...
Kenan Fellows
Climate Change Impacts
Turn up the heat! Young mathematicians develop models to represent different climates and collect temperature data. They analyze the data with regression and residual applications. Using that information, they make conclusions about...
Channel Islands Film
Magic Isle: Lesson Plan 3
Middle schoolers complete a writing assessment task to demonstrate their ability to craft a narrative based on a variety of informational texts. They view West of the West's documentary Magic Isle, read three print resources about...
Museum of Tolerance
Influence of Media
We are bombarded with media images expressly designed to influence viewers. Learning how to analyze the intended effects of these images is essential and the focus of an activity that asks viewers to use the provided questions to guide...
Curated OER
The Human Body Systems - Lesson Plan
Students identify the following organ systems in the human body and state their functions: muscular, skeletal, circulatory, respiratory, digestive.
Curated OER
Energy Concepts - Lesson Plan
Learners state the different forms of energy; and observe the effects of energy changing from one form to another (other forms) in electrical appliances.
Curated OER
The Brain and the Sense Organs - Lesson Plan
Learners identify the five sense organs and state the uses of the five senses.
Curated OER
Backyard Critters
Students explore the characteristics of invertebrates in their backyards. They observe, describe, and classify specimens. They conclude with a "snail race."
Curated OER
A Geological Puzzle
Students compare and contrast the various types of rocks on each continent. In groups, the calculate the rock ages and types to determine if the continents, in their opinion, were joined at one time. They develop two imaginary...
Curated OER
Water Pressure Experiments
Young scholars perform experiments measuring water pressure. They record their observations after poking holes in plastic bottles filled with water with the lids on and then off. They discover the role gravity plays in the water flow.
Curated OER
Birds and Birdfeed
Fourth graders examine the basic survival needs of birds before examining a suet ball as an example of what birds eat. They conduct an experiment with pine cones, bird seed, vaseline, and peanut butter. By observing the birds, they...
Curated OER
Plastics and Rubber: What's the Difference?
Students observe how to classify things into groups based on physical properties. In this plastic and rubber lesson students group and sort items to help them to better identify properties.
Curated OER
The Blue Bottle: An Example of Teacher-Guided Inquiry
High schoolers observe a demonstration in which a bottle containing a colorless solution is mixed, turns blue, then becomes colorless again. They record observations, form and discuss hypotheses, and draw a conclusion based on the evidence.
Curated OER
Cave Activity: Mapping Fractures
Young scholars tour a cave and observe fractures in the cave's ceiling. They record characteristics of the fracture. They locate three major passages in the cave and ten major fractures.
Curated OER
Orientation of the Earth in Space
Students hypothesize the location of the sun in the sky at diferent times of day and at different latitudes. They perform several experiments to provide evidence for their hypothesis. Experiments including observing the sun's position at...
Curated OER
Biodiesel: An Alternative Fuel Source
Learners explore the advances that are being made in alternative fuels.For this biodiesel lesson students evaluate different petroleum and alternative fuels.
Curated OER
Climate Change
Young scholars compare weather data and draw conclusions. In this climate change lesson plan, students determine whether data collected over a period of ninety years shows a warming trend.
Curated OER
Rising Water!
Young scholars observe water change from a liquid to a gas state when heated and then return to its liquid stage when cooled. They learn that gas molecules move faster than liquid molecules. They discover physical properties that...
Curated OER
Something Fishy Going On
Learners create a video animation of how Swimmy gathered his fish friends together to form a great big fish that would frighten the predator tuna away. In art class each child create a small red fish which gets displayed in the ocean...
Curated OER
Touch and Discover
Students identify the physical properties of items using the sense of touch. In this touch and discover instructional activity, students describe items. Students sort items using a Venn diagram.
Curated OER
Ship of the Line
Students discover boats by researching 18th century ships. In this Naval history lesson, students identify and describe the different components of an 18th century naval ship after researching information on the Internet....
Curated OER
Is Global Warming Happening?
Middle schoolers investigate the probability of global warming and the effects of global warming on the environment. They conduct Internet research and collect data, transfer the data onto an Excel spreadsheet, and create a presentation...
Curated OER
Density Derby
Students explore the relationship between mass, volume and density. They use model boats to discover how changing mass and volume affect density. This is a very engaging lesson which provides great demonstrations and hands-on activities.