+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Designing and Creating Earth Science Lessons with Google Earth

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Everything from adding an overlay to uploading images to navigating the software, teachers become apt at using Google Earth™ in the classroom to create Earth Science lessons.
+
Lesson Plan
US Department of Energy

Geothermal Energy

For Teachers 5th - 8th
With Earth Day quickly approaching, as well as many science fairs, why not challenge your class to investigate geothermal energy or other renewable energy resources? There are five driving questions explored in depth here, as well as...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Galileo and the Inevitability of Ideas

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research Galileo's work and contributions to science. They make a timeline of Galileo's life, discuss the historical context for his book "Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems" and examine his trial by the Inquisition for...
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
Odyssey of the Mind

Odyssey of the Mind Curriculum Activity: From a Distance

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Challenge your class with an amazing set of ideas that really put the project back into project-based learning. It all starts with a whole class research task. Each learner will look up and take notes on multiple facets of things that...
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
NASA

Natural Resources on Earth

For Teachers K - 6th
Natural resources do not always occur so naturally. Lead classes through a thorough set of lessons investigating the natural resources important for plants. Learners complete a series of worksheets as they explore the information and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Day for a Small World

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners explore what it means to be a good steward of the environment. In this Earth Day lesson, students create watercolor pictures of how to take care of the earth. They brainstorm ideas for an Earth Day project.
+
Lesson Plan
US Department of Energy

Building the Basic PVC Wind Turbine

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Here is a comprehensive and well-written lesson plan that results in learners building a standard wind turbine. Once built, teens can design a variety of experiments to test different factors. This activity is a noble undertaking that...
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
Teach Engineering

Projections and Coordinates: Turning a 3D Earth into Flatlands

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Introduce your class to map projections and coordinates, the basics for the work done in a GIS, with an activity that uses Google Earth to challenge learners to think about the earth's shape. 
+
Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

How To Travel On Earth Without Getting Lost

For Teachers 3rd - 7th Standards
Have you ever wanted to travel the world? Take a virtual trip with a geography lesson that uses longitude and latitude, the position of the sun, an astronomy app, and a classroom globe.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Day: a Look Into the World Around Us

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students develop an artwork made entirely out of recycled materials to exhibit during an Earth Day celebration. They participate in a lecture discussion on the history of Earth Day and environmental issues, do internet research on a...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparing Light Bulbs

For Teachers K - 8th
An average home produces twice as many emissions as an average car. Teach your class how to reduce energy consumption by replacing standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs. Perform an experiment to compare...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Be Kind to our Earth

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students make a list of ideas on ways we can take care of our Earth and complete a class project planning sheet where they problem solve to help save the Earth. In this Earth lesson plan, students also play a conservation charades game.
+
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Make a Difference!

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
We are very dependent upon other life forms around us to survive. Here, scholars explore relationships in the ecosystem with the help of Auntie Litter and the pollution patrol. They imagine a world without grass, making connections to...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

“THE LORAX” by Dr. Seuss

For Teachers 1st - 3rd Standards
Few children's books convey the message of conservation as well as Dr. Seuss' The Lorax. Read the story aloud, emphasizing the interconnectedness of plants and animals in an ecosystem and discussing different ways people can help the...
+
Lesson Plan
NASA

Let's Investigate Mars

For Teachers 3rd - 7th Standards
Take your science class on a hypothetical field trip to Mars with an engaging astronomy lesson. After first learning about NASA's Mars rover missions, young scientists plan their own scientific investigations of Earth's nearest neighbor.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Celebrating Earth Day

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students explore environmental safety by planting seeds outside their classroom. In this Earth Day lesson, students identify the different ways to recycle and conserve resources on Earth while facilitating recycling bins around campus....
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Redesign the Rover: Mars Research Year-Round

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the solar system, the planets, periods of orbit and revolution.  In this space lesson students discuss the importance of the study of Mars and brainstorm ideas on how NASA might solve its Rover design problem. 
+
Lesson Plan
Minnesota Literacy Council

Scientific Method

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
Here is a resource with a descriptive approach to explaining the scientific method. It's simple, but effective for both introduction and reinforcement of this concept. 
+
Lesson Plan
NOAA

Where There's Smoke, There's ...

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
A remotely operated vehicle approaching a volcano was engulfed by molten sulfur where the plumes of fluids contained the highest concentrations of aluminum ever recorded. This isn't science fiction or an April fools joke, though it did...
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
California Academy of Science

Earthquakes and Tectonic Plates

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Here is a comprehensive package in which middle schoolers learn about types of seismic waves, triangulation, and tectonic plate boundaries. Complete vocabulary, colorful maps, and a worksheet are included via links on the webpage. You...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Day

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Young scholars complete a variety of Earth Day activities. In this recycling and the environment lesson, students listen to Earth friendly music, create a car out of juice boxes, use soda cans and bottle caps to create a Halloween...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life on Earth and Beyond, Our Search for Answers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students in a special education classroom are introduced to how the universe and solar system was formed. Using the internet, they research the characteristics of Earth that support human life. In groups, they compare and contrast...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Day...Comin Atcha!!!

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore the idea of consequence that every individual leaves a daily environmental footprint. They read articles about creative solutions to solid waste issues and then create an artwork from household trash.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Debating Controversial Issues: Integrating Science and Current Events

For Teachers 9th - 12th
In order to give young scientists experience with critical thinking skills, introduce them to a current controversy and prepare them to debate. Choose a topic, such as genetically modified organisms, and assign groups to represent...