Curated OER
Polar Food Web Comparison
Seventh graders practice the evaluation component of the scientific method while comparing and contrasting the similarities and differences of the food chains and webs of polar animal life. They study about classification and ecology...
Eastern Michigan University
Energy Flow in a Wetland Ecosystem
How is energy transferred within an ecosystem? What would happen to a food web if one of the organisms was removed? Elementary or middle school ecologists examine these questions and more in a comprehensive 5E learning cycle lesson....
Curated OER
Circle of Life
Here is a well-designed science lesson that shows learners that everything that organisms do in ecosystems, including running, breathing, burrowing, growing, requires energy. After a thorough discussion of their own eating and drinking...
Curated OER
Introduction to Worm Bin Project
Learners observe the decomposing process of the food chain in a worm bin. They observe whether the type of food fed to worms affect the castings given off during the decomposition process. They learn and practice graphing their findings.
Curated OER
Science Videos
Students plan, practice, and act in a 2-3 minute videotaped production about a specific topic. Students from a local high school give presentations pertaining to seasons, earth rotation, and moon phases. Students analyze the...
Curated OER
Ecosystem Concept Map
How do ecosystems change? How do organisms keep their ecosystem going? Learners use a word bank to fill in 12 blanks that describe the functionality of ecosystems.
Curated OER
The Basics: Life Science
Pupils develop an understanding of the different fields of study that are encompassed by the term, life science. They view and discuss a video on the topic. In small groups they focus on on of the examples shown in the video to create a...
Curated OER
The Rainforest
Second graders investigate the five different layers of the rainforest. They conduct research to find details pertaining to the animals and the interactions of the existing food chain in each layer of the forest. Students construct a...
Curated OER
Habitats of the World
Students complete a unit of eighteen lessons that cover climate, geography, location, plants, and animals of each of the five habitats. They are also introduced to habitat destruction and discuss ways to protect the environment. They do...
Curated OER
Introduction to Simulation Project
Students create a simulated self-sustaining ecosystem. In this biology lesson, students examine the different food chain and ecosystems in their model. They recommend some improvements and changes to an existing ecosystem.
Curated OER
Web of Life - Alaska
Seventh graders research Alaska, then construct their own food web after researching a habitat of their choice.
Curated OER
It's a Penguin's Life!
Learners will be studying the penguin community to observe the physical characteristics of the penguin and the relation it has to its community through a distance learning project with the Detroit Zoo.
Curated OER
Survivor!
Students play a game in physical education class to examine how a deer survives. Using nature as a guide, they discover how it is constantly changing due to weather, food, water, pollution and predators. They discuss the characteristics...
Curated OER
Backyard Wildlife Conservation
Students survey local wildlife. They distinguish between permanent and migrating or seasonal species. Students identify species and describe the ecological niche. Students research the food chain and food web for the backyard...
Curated OER
Using Comics to teach Habitat and the Balance of Nature
Students visit a specific online comics website to view a comic. They discuss the elements of the food chain that were seen in the story. They choose an inhabitant of the pond habitat that they have been reading about and do a research...
Curated OER
Have You Ever Seen a Sea Monkey?
Fourth graders observe brine shrimp over several days. They create drawings showing the growth and development of the shrimp. They research web sites to find out where brine shrimp fit on the food chain and what makes the shrimp unique.
Curated OER
How Does Climate Change Affect Animal Populations?
Students investigate the effect of climate change on animal population in Nova Scotia. In this environmental science lesson, students complete a Nova Scotia map activity and research the causes of global warming in small groups. Students...
National Science Teachers Association
Adopt-a-Dino
Earth historians research a specific dinosaur, write a paper about the Mesozoic era that it lived in, create an artistic rendition of the environment, and give a presentation in class about what they learned. Be aware that there are...
TerraCycle
What Can Nature Teach Us about Sustainable Design?
Talk about Velcro®, Gecko Tape, WhalePower turbine blades, and other innovations that mimic nature to inspire your STEM or engineering class. This set of worksheets gets them thinking about imitating nature in terms of sustainable...
Curated OER
Ecosystems
Sixth graders perform various labs, create presentations, and do hands on activities to explore the ecosystem.
Curated OER
SIM Ecosystem
Students identify and interpret the concept of an ecosystem and the potential impact humans have on ecosystems. They also proficient in organized and methodical Internet searches. Finally, students become proficient with public...
Curated OER
Sharks
Second graders identify and analyze the many types of sharks that can be found in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. They also identify what the sharks eat for food, their habitats, and their constuction to the environment and the food...
Curated OER
Paramecium
In this paramecium worksheet, students sharpen their science skills as they color the parts of a paramecium according to the instructions and then respond to 15 analysis questions.
Curated OER
Earth Day Unit Plan: Pollution in the Anacostia River - Biology Teaching Thesis
Sixth graders are able to explain that there are pollutants in the Anacostia River, what these pollutants can cause, and how to prevent further pollution. They examine the impacts that the pollutants of the Anacostia River could have on...