Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Discovering Enzymes

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Explore the function of enzymes through a series of lab investigations. Learners use household enzymes such as hydrogen peroxide to model the role of enzymes. The enzymes break down proteins with and without a catalyst.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Photosynthetically Available Radiation (PAR) Measurements Part 1: Calculating the Solar Constant using a TI-8

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders are introduced to the term Photosynthetically Available Radiation. In groups, they participate in an experiment to determine how ecosystems survive the conditions in the Arctic. They calculate the amount of solar energy...
Lesson Plan
Nuffield Foundation

No Stomach for It: Investigating Antacid Medication

For Teachers 9th - 12th
You won't get a stomachache doing an investigative experiment. Pupils simulate the effect of antacids on stomach acid. Obviously, they won't be using real stomach acid; diluted hydrochloric acid serves this purpose.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"pH and the Environment"

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders experiment and study about acids and bases by becoming involved in direct hands-on learning experiences and then relate those experiences to their own lives. They experience the Ohio River and what can be done to help...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fish and Oxygen

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students explore what factors affect population dynamics, identify factors affecting fish populations, and use Stella to model how dissolved oxygen affects fish populations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Portable Niche

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders, in groups, research animals, plants, and conditions found in ecosystems.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Miracle Fish: Learning to Design an Experiment

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students develop procedures to explore the behavior of fish.  For this scientific experiment lesson students from a hypothesis, write a question, identify different variables and controls in their experiment. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Milk Makes Me Sick

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students experiment with lactase to find out how milk sugar is broken down in the body. In this enzyme lesson, students use glucose strips to investigate the breakdown of lactose into glucose and galactose for milk digestion in the human...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Move To a Healthier Aquatic Balance

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine aquatic orgnaisms and how enviromental chages affect them. This factors include: temperature, Ph, oxygen, nutrients, and pollutants. They also explore habitat quality (erosion). Students compile data and create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking At Acid's Effects On Metals

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers perform an experiment that demonstrates acid rain. The chemical effect of acids on metals may take at least five days for the human eye to see, even though the reaction starts as soon as the acid contacts the metal.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thinking Like a Scientist

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore the scientific method.  Students identify the steps in the scientific method and explain what each step means.  Students use these steps to determine if boys or girls are taller in their classroom.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mineral Identification

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students investigate the environment by examining mineral characteristics.  In this mineral lesson, students perform scientific observations in groups in which they identify minerals found in everyday objects by using a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Taste (Gustation)

For Teachers K - 12th
Students conduct various experiments to see if different parts of the tongue are more sensitive to different characteristics of food.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Composition: Then and Now

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students identify the location of their school from a 1926 digitized Soil Sample map. Using remaining landforms, they determine the type of soil identified during that time, and compare it to the soil currently found near the school.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Buffering

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students observe the pH change of an acid mixture poured over soil in a filter. Since the buffering capability of soils differs, you may want to do this experiment with several different soil types.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Not Just a Fish Tank

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students learn about a specific species of fish, study the effects of outside substances on the reproductive development of a fish, and explore the process of a wastewater treatment facility.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Starch is Everywhere

For Students 3rd - 4th
In this science activity, students add a few drops of iodine solution to each of 10 substances to determine if they contain starch. The iodine will turn blue if the item contains starch.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Can You See Which Soda Has More Sugar?

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders weigh regular and diet soda to see which one is heavier and therefore which one contains more sugar. In this soda lesson plan, 6th graders discover that regular soda contains more sugar because it weighs more. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Necessary Nitrogen

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students view a video that presents the biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen. They compare types of soils and consider how different fertilizers affect soil composition.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Photosynthesis: Intake of Carbon Dioxide - Production of Oxygen

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students, after a long-term observation of photosynthesis with aquatic plants, assess the benefits of photosynthesis towards all living organisms. They explain in their own words the two cycles within photosynthesis. Guided discussion...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Composition of Air: Let us Find Out

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students identify the various components of air as they demonstrate that air is present in the environment.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Your Digestive System

For Students 9th
For this digestive system worksheet, 9th graders identify and explain any difference found in color of the mixtures in two glasses. Then they determine what enzyme was produced by glands in the mouth changing the starch in a chewed cracker.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Meet an Aquatic Snail

For Teachers K
Students explore aquatic snails. In this life science lesson, students create a class list of questions about aquatic snails and begin to observe aquatic snails in the classroom. Students record observations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mystery Box

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore why scientists use models to help them explain things that cannot be seen.  In this predictions lesson students make a prediction based on observations and collected evidence.