Curated OER
The Circle of Life
Fourth graders examine how the different organisms living in an ecosystem affect one another. In groups, they research a specific ecosystem and present their findings to the class based on the type of organisms found in it. To end the...
Curated OER
Slow Rot or Not?
Fifth graders examine how environmental factors affect decomposition. In this decomposition lesson, 5th graders experiment with the decomposition of grapes in five different environmental settings. They look at images of items that have...
Curated OER
Exploring Energy with GIS
Learners examine GIS technology as it is used to locate energy sources. In this GIS activity, student access an assigned website to locate a series of lessons using the GIS software. They use the maps that are located on the primary...
Curated OER
Exploring the Biomes of South America
Sixth graders complete a five-week unit investigating the eight major biomes of South America. They conduct Internet research, collect short-term and long-term climate data, and create a HyperStudio slideshow stack about a selected biome...
Curated OER
Going...going...gone? Tropical Rainforests-How They Work, What They Do for Us, What's Being Done to Them...
Sixth graders explore the Tropical Rainforest and come to understand what it is and how it affects the ecosystem. In this rainforests lesson, 6th graders write about the Tropical Rainforest, imagine they are in the Tropical Rainforest,...
Curated OER
WiTricity Explained
Students explain how electricity is transferred from source to load without actual wires connecting the two. In this physics instructional activity, students explore how wireless electricity was discovered. They cite practical...
Education Outside
Papermaking
Imagine recycling food scraps and using them to make paper. The directions are all here in a seven-page packet that details several paper-making strategies.
Kenan Fellows
Electricity: Sources, Usage, Challenges, and the Future
What does the future of energy look like? Junior engineers collaborate to discover a solution to the global energy crisis during a very hands-on lesson. The unit focuses on learning through collaboration to develop a deep understanding...
National Energy Education Development Project
Introduction to Hydrogen
Every region has a renewable resource that can be used to make hydrogen. But, what is hydrogen and why can it be used as an energy source? Find out with a presentation that answers these questions and then discusses where hydrogen is...
Curated OER
A Journey with Belfield Along the Lewis and Clark Trail
Fourth graders make a PowerPoint presentation that includes a picture of a plant or animal, and the name that Lewis and Clark called each specific plant or animal. They make a personal journal entry written as Lewis and Clark may have...
Curated OER
Cells Brochure
Students examine the structure and functions of an animal or plant cell. They view an online video about cells, conduct Internet research on the Brain Pop website, and create an informational brochure about cell structure and functions.
Curated OER
Effects of Seed Soaking on Germination
Pupils explain the standard growth pattern of a monocot seedling and word process a finished essay.
Curated OER
Genes at Work
Students explore and discuss genetics stories and answer questions about genetic outcomes of offspring. In this genetics instructional activity, students read genetics stories on a web site. Students use a chart to answer questions...
Curated OER
Photographical Ecology
Middle schoolers study organisms and the roles they play in nature. In this ecology lesson, students photograph several examples of organisms during a nature walk. Middle schoolers print out their photos and classify the organisms as...
Curated OER
Soil Research
Third graders work together in groups to discover the importance of soils. Using a worksheet, they answer questions as they surf the internet. They observe three different types of soils and record their observations and use the internet...
Curated OER
Creating an Experimental Design
Students research the damage to the environment by certain plant species. They create an experimental design which they test how these species take over certain habitats. They share their information with the class.
Curated OER
Have You Seen Me? An Introductory Lesson on the Loss of Biodiversity
Students investigate environmental law and policies involving endangered species as well as discuss human impact on biodiversity through an Internet research project. Students create a milk carton of their "missing" endangered species.
Curated OER
Fresh Greens In The Home
Young scholars engage in the study of nutritional food choices that include fresh greens. They investigate the benefits of using simple planting techniques. The lesson also includes recipes for students to try out the habit of eating...
Curated OER
Understanding Life System: Growth and Changes in Plants
Third graders research ways in which plants are essential to humans. In this Global Peace lesson, 3rd graders participate in tasks, such as creating a propaganda poster. Students may watch the film, The Lorax, as a closing activity.
Curated OER
A Leaf, a Stem, a Root, Oh My!
Students conduct Internet research on plants and complete a WebQuest on vegetable plants. They use a graphic organizer to display their findings, observe actual vegetables and design a salad, noting which part of each plant is included.
Curated OER
Beans Are Seeds
Second graders read literature regarding the growth of seeds. They investigate how seeds need water and light to sprout and then grow. They experiment by planting their own bean seeds. They record the progress of their seeds in both...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Mitosis: Divide to Survive
Learners identify the purpose of cellular mitosis. They work in groups of four to use images of animal and plant cell mitosis to illustrate each step in the mitosis process on their graphic organizer.
Curated OER
A River Ran Through It
Students research how water is used to generate electricity. They investigate water's potential-to-kinetic energy transfer in hands-on activities about falling water and waterwheels. They take measurements, calculate averages and graph...
Curated OER
Rainforest Plants and Animals -- Where Are They?
Students identify the plant and animals in the rainforest. Using the internet, they research how these plants and animals adapt to survive in this type of environment. In groups, they critique artwork and discuss how they were depicted.