Scientists Lesson Plans

In this lesson students question the accepted practices of science by scientists and their interactions with technology and society. They devise and conduct appropriate interview procedures for scientists to question their understanding and application of scientific habits of mind and conditions for research work.

Learners share ideas about how scientists know about dinosaurs, then read a news article about the recently found remains of a hadrosaur. In this dinosaur lesson plan, the teacher introduces the article with a class discussion and vocabulary activity, then learners read the news report and answer comprehension questions. Lesson includes interdisciplinary follow-up activities.

Students react to statements about volcanoes, then read a news article about scientists monitoring eruptions at Augustine volcano in Alaska. In this earth science and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the lesson with a discussion and vocabulary activity, then students read the news report and participate in a class discussion. Lesson includes interdisciplinary follow-up activities.

Students study several important African American scientists and explore their lives. They recreate scientists' experiences through journal entries.

In this lesson students discuss a number of career possibilities in science. They also examine a scientist's work.

This lesson has learners explore scientists and their occupations. They give an example of employers who hire scientists and identify places where scientists work and write a letter to potential places of employment.

Students use the internet to research and create a Biography of a Biocomplexity Scientist. They name one scientist that they have investigated in the past few years and explain what they did. Students are given a list of 30 scientists that have been involved in groundbreaking research. They are also given the website for each scientist that includes the pertinent information for their project.

6th graders prepare and give oral presentations about assigned scientists and the accomplishments of the scientists after completing research and written reports on their subjects. They come to school dressed as their scientist!

In this lesson students are given a pre-test that quizzed them about their perceptions of science as a career. They brainstromed to compile a list of scientists students were interested in investigating. In this lesson students worked in groups of five and selected a scientist from the list to research, write about, and present to the class.

6th graders brainstorm a list of famous scientists. Individually, they use the internet to research one of the scientists making sure to note the web address where they got their information. To end the lesson, they develop a poster to accompany their paper and present it to the class.