Curated OER
Extreme Climate
Middle schoolers discuss global warming, greenhouse effect, permafrost and other key words. In this climate lesson students create a web that connects global warming, the Arctic and world climate then write a paragraph explaining the...
NOAA
Climographs
In the second lesson plan of a five-part series, young climatologists use provided temperature and precipitation data to create climographs of three different cities. They then analyze these climographs to develop a general understanding...
Curated OER
Altering Climate in the Classroom
Students experiment with moderating temperature extremes in the classroom. They experiment with ways to vent and block air.
Curated OER
The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind
First graders read and explore the folktale, The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind. In this folktale lesson, 1st graders read the tale and describe the sun. There are several interdisciplinary extensions included: students illustrate...
Curated OER
A Long Winter's Nap
Students explore the process of estivation, hibernation and torpor and the ways that frogs adapt to seasonal weather changes.
Curated OER
757 Glider Kit
Young scholars work together to complete a 757 Glider kit. They use a GPS to discover how it operates in all weather landings. They complete different obstacles with the glider as well.
Curated OER
Fetch Me a Wave
Students explore waves and how they form. In this wave lesson students prepare a written report on waves and tsunamis then discuss what they learned.
Curated OER
Learning Lesson: Go With the Flow
Learners complete experiments with soda cans to examine the effect of pressure and air movement. They create low pressure and discuss its effects. They also examine thunderstorm safety rules.
Curated OER
Our Savage Planet in the News
Students research volcanoes, storms, atmospheric conditions, etc., find information and collect facts, create a simulation of a science news broadcast, watch a video clip of an avalanche, and create an artistic rendering of one naturally...
Curated OER
Lightning
Students investigate lightning. In this lightning lesson plan, students demonstrate how static electricity is in the air by observing how a balloon reacts to a charge.
Curated OER
Floods
Students investigate how hurricanes impact a stream flow. In this floods lesson plan students predict the impact of storms on animals and interpret data.
Curated OER
Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest: Science, 4th Grade
Fourth graders investigate weather patterns in their home state of Utah. After creating KWL charts, they research weather and geographical data to locate the state's extremes. As an extension, 4th graders write and illustrate books about...
Curated OER
Exploring Magnetism
Eighth graders study magnetism. In this solar wind lesson students complete several activities on space and weather.
Curated OER
Hunt For Supertwister
Learners identify the best time of year and place to position spotters for possible tornado outbreaks. They research tornado formations, spotting, and safety. Students present their information using a poster, a mock-up of a newspaper,...
Curated OER
How Much Is an Ecosystem Worth?
Students examine the value of ecosystems. They read and analyze an article, evaluate ecosystem services, research the benefits of biomonitors, and design a public service announcement.
Curated OER
The Awful 8: The Play
Students perform a play based on pollution. In this pollution science lesson plan, students perform a play about different pollutants and how it effects our daily lives.
Discovery Education
Sonar & Echolocation
A well-designed, comprehensive, and attractive slide show supports direct instruction on how sonar and echolocation work. Contained within the slides are links to interactive websites and instructions for using apps on a mobile device to...
Curated OER
Dirt Babies
Dirt babies are an excellent way to show young botanists the plant life cycle. They explore the functions and industry behind grasses before growing some of their own. Use the informational text here and consider implementing some...
California Academy of Science
A Day inthe Life of a San Francisco Native Animal
Although the lesson is specifically about the San Francisco Bay area, it's good enough to be adapted to any local region. Children research what the landscape in San Francisco was like prior to settlement, they consider the types of...
California Academy of Science
A Day in the Life of a San Francisco Native Animal
Before Google, before Sillicon Valley, before the Gold Rush, the San Francisco landscape was a biome filled with grizzly bears, mule deer, tule elk, coyotes, gray fox, gophers, and moles. To explore the early days of yesteryear, kids...
Montana State University
Who’s on Top?
What's it like to climb Mount Everest? An educational resource encourages an in-depth knowledge of Mount Everest's scientific missions through a variety of activities, including an analysis of maps, a KWL chart, videos, a simulation, and...
Curated OER
How Much Water is in That Cloud?
Students participate in a demonstration about the water capacity of clouds. They work in partners to estimate how many drops of water a cottonball hold and then use an eyedropper to test their guesses.
Curated OER
The Rumblin' Road
Students determine the distance to a lightning strike. They complete a number of examples that determine the distance to a thunderstorm or lightning strike. They focus on safety during a thunderstorm.
Curated OER
The Awful 8: A Play
Students perform a play that presents the causes and effects on people and the environment of the eight major air pollutants.