Nuffield Foundation
Observing Earthworm Locomotion
One acre of land can contain more than a million earthworms. Scholars collect earthworms to observe their movements. Once placed on paper, the sound of movement often fascinates pupils. When placed on glass, the earthworm is unable to...
Curated OER
What's Organic?
Students define and discuss terms organic and synthetic, read article pertaining to organic agricultural practices in Oklahoma, complete worksheet, grow plants using both commercial and organic fertilizer, compare growth rates, and chart...
Curated OER
Erosion
Fifth graders study what erosion is, what causes it, and ways to slow its progress. They complete an experiment that depicts soil moving down a slope as water is poured on it to show how moving water erodes land. Next, they observe...
Curated OER
Erosion
Students discover the meaning of the word erosion and discuss effects of rocks and sticks upon the soil. They then work in small groups to construct a model of erosion to make observations and then write them in their science journals.
Curated OER
Plant Life Cycle
In this exploring the processes from seed to reproduction of a plant online interactive learning exercise, students read a passage explaining the plant life cycle and answer multiple choice questions about what they read. Students choose...
Curated OER
An Investigation into Effects of Rhizobium Soil Bacteria on Nitrogen Availability
Students identify the control and the variables in the experiment. They describe the growth of plants with and without nitrogen fixing bacteria, then name the bacterium responsible for making nitrogen available to the plant.
Curated OER
Ag in My Community; Agriculture
Learners build knowledge about agriculture as it relates to their communities' commodities. In this agriculture lesson, students brainstorm about conditions in their community with regards to growing different types of crops. Learners...
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Squanto's Science Lesson
Pupils explore Squanto's contribution to the settlers. They plant seeds and follow instructions for water and fertilization. Students keep a record of the growth of the seeds. They write a paragraph that tells what they learned from...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Where is the Dirt? A Lesson in Hydroponics
Students use the Internet to research hydroponic gardening which is the growing of plants without soil. They participate in an experiment where a hydroponic garden is contructed in the classroom for observaion. They recorde information...
Curated OER
Composting
Students discover the concept of decomposition. They examine how it makes the soil more fertile and how it helps plants. They put a compost bin in their backyard and record their observations.
Curated OER
Mud in the Water
Sixth graders investigate erosion. In this erosion activity, 6th graders explore how farming changes the environment. Students construct an erosion model and research ways to protect the soil from excess mud generated by farming.
Curated OER
Root, Root, Root for the Nutrients
Learners observe the growth of a seed, predict what will happen when seeds are planted without soil, and conduct an experiment using a hydroponics system.
Curated OER
Demonstrating Erosion in Action
Students easure and record volume of water, then measure and record mass of soil. They explain the effects of the following in controlling erosion: Contouring, cover crop, strip cropping, reforestation, inter-seeding.
Curated OER
Recycling by Composting
Students examine the idea of recycling by composting. Using the internet, they research the benefits of composting to the environment. In groups, they collect numbers on how much food and yard waste is produced in their community. ...
Curated OER
Cotton Seed Planting
Students using scientific inquiry will observe and record in daily journals their findings on cotton seeds. They measure, graph, and then communicate their discoveries about plants to each other.
Curated OER
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Students explore how to use natural fertilizers and pesticides by growing an organic vegetable garden by growing plants and using a variety of soil amendments.
Curated OER
Erosion
Fifth graders study the effects of running water on erosion. They examine how the soil on the playground is affected by erosion and determine how the placement of trees and shrubs changes the path of erosion. In their science journals,...
Curated OER
Growing Corn
Sixth graders create a Venn diagram of different soil types. They plant cord seeds in clay, sand, and fertile black soils are record their growing rates. After two weeks they discuss the effects of soil types on the growth process.
Curated OER
Investigate Factors Affecting Nitrates in Groundwater
Students participate in an experiment in which they investigate the factors affecting the levels of nitrates in groundwater. Using examples, they explain the nitrogen cycle and identify the sources of chemical nitrogen fertilizers. ...
Curated OER
Worm Composting: Vermiculture
Students compost in a limited space and describe the decomposing process. Students convert unwanted, organic matter, particularly food scraps and paper into fertile soil.
Curated OER
Designing, BUilding & Planting Appropriate Style Plantings in a Planter Box
Students explore designing and building a plant box. Based upon desired parameters, students create a set of plant box blueprints. Next, they choose the material and build the box. Agricultural teams select the soil mixture, fertilizer...
Curated OER
The Compost Bucket
Students recognize that plants and soils have a close relationship. They view a photo essay on the common practice and natural process of composting. Afterwards, they observe the process of plant decay over the course of several days.
Curated OER
Field Experiments on Succession
Student develop a hypothesis regarding the effects of either mowing or fertilizer upon the diversity of plant species in a grassland ecosystem. They set up experiment field plots and measure species richness.
Curated OER
Evergreen Trees & Softwood
In this earth science activity, students identify and locate various vocabulary terms pertaining to evergreen trees and other softwood trees. There are 26 earth science terms located in the word search.