Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geology Activities: Rock Making

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students create their own gems using a simple experiment and learning process in class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Latent Heat and Clouds

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students explore latent heat and how it relates to clouds in the atmosphere.  In this earth science lesson plan students investigate how clouds are formed. Students examine clouds and the water cycle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

More Lizard Snacks

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students listen to Chapter I, Chapter II, Chapter III, and Chapter IV of "The Forgetful Pony". They observe different stages of development of mealworms. The student sequences pictures to show the life cycle and draws the developmental...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dust in the Wind; Chemicals in the Water

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore mechanical and chemical weathering at stations. They articulate some mechanisms of chemical and mechanical weathering through exploration in a lab. Students stations describe how chemical weathering differs from...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Investigations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the basics about soil.  In this soil lesson students describe the physical properties of soil and explain what soil profile is. 
Lesson Plan
BBC

Sorting and Using Materials

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
First and second graders see that everyday objects are made from a variety of materials. They interact with objects such as keys, plastic spoons, a wooden ruler, a towel, and a plastic bag. A discussion ensues which leads them to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Was Coal Formed?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Geology can be a lot of fun. Learners review geology related vocabulary, make flashcards, use encyclopedias to answer questions, then explore the formation of coal. They identify dates and order them into key time frames of geologic...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Matter, Matter, Everywhere!

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders make inquiry about the existence of matter. A definition of the word is needed before students can engage in various activities. The application of knowing about matter is done in the working of experiments.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Air Pollution

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students seek solutions to environmental problems. They discover how to conserve and protect natural resources. They examine the role of acid rain on plants and discover how to filter pollutants.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shake, Rattle and Roll

For Teachers K - 4th
Students compare the weathering of different-sized materials. Comparisons are made and data analyzed to reach conclusions about the process of weathering. Applications can be made for the higher grades.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pangaea Puzzle

For Teachers 5th - 11th
Learners explore plate tectonics and the formations of the Earth's surface and why maps are distorted.  In this Earth's surface lesson students complete a lab and answer questions. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geology/Earth Structure

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine the rock-soil cycle. They identify the steps and describe what happens. They also discover the three layers of soil.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Do You See What I See?

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Students hypothesize the role of rocks, soil, and water by observing a terrarium and create a model to explore the water cycle. This is part of a five station set up.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mystery Minerals

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students minerals and how they form. They investigate the classification of minerals according to physical properties. Students watch a video about mineral characteristics. In groups, students participate in hands-on activities and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fieldwork: Horizons Under Ground: Digging Through Wetland Soil

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study the different soil types and describe the different soils in various environments.  In this soil lesson students walk to a reserve and discuss what they saw. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Forest Objects

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Young scholars explore the forest. In this ecosystems lesson, students rotate through sensory activity centers, brainstorm, and read about temperate forests.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Makes Up a Healthy Watershed

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students, after observing the elements of a local watershed, explore the need to protect watersheds as water resources for the future. They examine the factors involved with a watershed: geology, ecology, and the effect of man's...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mercury in the Environment

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars develop abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry. They develop an understanding of chemical reactions, structures and properties of matter. They develop decision-making skills in natural and human-induced hazards.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth, Sun and Moon

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students investigate that the sun is at the center of the solar system through role play. One student is the sun and one student is the Earth. The students then show how the Earth orbits around the sun. Students view a flashlight and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Goes Around Comes Around!

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students create an ecosystem in a jar to show a model of the water, carbon, and nitrogen cycle. Working in small groups, they research and present orally the information they find on this cycle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cloud in a bag

For Teachers K
Students relate the states of matter and clouds.  In this environment lesson, students create a chart of information they know about clouds.  Students put an ice cube in a bag and tape to a window. Students watch for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Landfills: A Solid Waste Management Plan

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are able to list the types of household waste that they produce daily. They are able to describe some other types of waste that are produced by industry or agriculture to help maintain their lifestyles. Students are able to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

State Change

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore the physical change of matter. As a class, they discuss their favorite super hero and determine if the hero undergoes a physical or chemical change. Students examine the change of state and phase change. In groups,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

All Washed Up

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders simulate filtration of water containing contaminates to determine how nature cleans water. They make predictions, report observations, and construct reasonable explanations concerning their outcomes. then connect this to...