Learners examine why scientists classify living organisms. They list and classify items they buy at the grocery store, sort and classify leaves, explore various websites, and write a biography of Carolus Linnaeus.

Students create a new species of insect. They create a list of insect characteristics and use this as a springboard to draw an insect of their own. Students write a brief descriptive paragraphs about their insect, giving particular...

Students draw comparisons between organisms. They classify organisms. Students are introduced to dichotomous keys and how to create and use a dichotomous key to identify a variety of objects. They begin by defining classification, and...

Learners minerals and how they form. They investigate the classification of minerals according to physical properties. Students watch a video about mineral characteristics. In groups, learners participate in hands-on activities and...

Fourth graders classify animals. In this animal kingdom lesson, 4th graders research animal habitats and behaviors. Students connect to a zoologist via SKYPE and learn about animal classification. Students blog about preserving animal...

First graders use Hershey chocolate bars to practice fractions.  In this fraction lesson, 1st graders review different fractions and figure out different ways to represent fractions with the pieces of the Chocolate bar. This lesson...

Students view objects sorted by one characteristic and name that characteristic.  In this sorting rule lesson plan, students explore to find a new characteristic and write a description of that rule.  In early grades the rule...

Middle schoolers participate in a discussion of recent environmental issues affecting their own community or ones nearby. In groups, they research the role of food additives and the purpose of adding them to foods. They also determine...

Students study the rhinoceros and how the species has survived for so long.  In this rhino lesson students create graphs and research what is being done to protect the rhino.

Students research endangered species online and prepare a presentation identifying species, and the reasons why species are becoming endangered,

Learners examine how to classify living things by effects, environment, and activity. They explore various websites, develop a list of facts they learn about classifications, and participate in a distance online learning session with the...

Fifth graders identify the species of plants and animals found in an environment. They compare these findings to plant and animal species found in an unlike environment. Students acquire and compare soil samples from the two sites chosen.

Students create a collage. In this animal classification lesson, students discuss why and how scientists classify animals. Students view pictures of different animals and decide which class each animal belongs to. Students compare...

Students compare wolves' behaviors to those of the human race.  In this wolf lesson students write a story that will show that wolves are either good or evil.

Young scholars study wolves and their habitat in Yellowstone.  In this environment and behavior lesson students create an interactive map of wolves in Yellowstone.

Eleventh graders identify the parts of an ecosystem and how communities change over time.  In this ecology lesson plan students formulate a habitat restoration plan.

Students construct a hovercraft following specific procedures. For this technology lesson, students explain the physics principles behind hovercraft. They compare and contrast this machine with the aircraft.

Students examine the different species that are headed towards extinction.  In this animal population lesson students compare the causes of extinction, research an endangered species and present an oral report. 

Youngsters create a list of grocery store items and then work together to categorize them as if they were setting up the shelves of the market. Then they are given a box of miscellaneous objects to practice categorizing. With these two...

Learners classify triangles and make connections regarding angle measurements and attributes of acute, right, and obtuse triangles. They listen to teacher define and explain triangles. Everyone imagines a place where a broken wing for a...

Extensive reading is done in order to learn about scanning probe microscopy and nanoscale. Afterward, individuals use a pencil to probe an unidentified object that is inside of a box so that they cannot see it. Using only what they could...

After reading about radio transmission, application, and the difference between AM and FM, small teams of engineers use a kit to construct an FM radio and then send and receive broadcasts. This is an ideal activity for middle school STEM...

With the use of a model rocket kit, aspiring aerospace engineers work cooperatively to construct and launch a rocket. A preparatory reading assignment is included, covering Newton's laws of motion and information about the first...

Shake things up in your STEM or earth science classroom when you have small groups construct their own seismographs. A reading assignment on the history of seismographs, the Richter scale, and current technology sets the stage for the...