Curated OER
Inquiry-based Investigations into Pond Water Microorganisms
Students become familiar with common microorganisms and experience exploring the microbial world.
Curated OER
Life in a Drop of Water
Students observe the wealth of living organisms in a drop of water from our freshwater ecosystems. They classify the types of organisms observed as single-celled or multi-cellular and use a key or chart to identify and name the organisms...
Curated OER
Protozoans
In this protozoans activity, learners observe pond water using a microscope to identify the four classes of single-celled organisms including sarcodines, ciliates, flagellates and sporozoans.
Curated OER
Cell Structure and Function
Students discuss scientific advances brought about by the Mars Surveyor Space Program which impact on daily life, identify laboratory apparatus like microscopes, slides and coverslips, and use the microscopes to view cells and organisms.
Curated OER
Inquiry in Science Using an Animal Behavior Model
Students observe a planaria without a microscope and with a stereoscopic microscope. They draw the planaria and describe its motion and eating habits. Students research planarias various body systems and behavior. They design an...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Animal Classes and Their Ecosystems
Students explore animal characteristics by participating in an environment identification activity. In this animal habitat lesson, students discuss a range of different wild life and the ecosystems that they are a part of. Students view...
Cmassengale
Bacteria: Structure and Function
For as small as they are, there sure is a lot of information for young scientists to learn about bacteria. Help simplify the subject with this instructional presentation that explores the structure, nutrition, and reproduction of...
Curated OER
Life in Streams and Ponds
Students collect microorganisms, demonstrate correct laboratory/Gram stain procedure, and design and construct tables to organize data.
Curated OER
Odyssey of Life, Part II-The Unknown World
Students complete an experiment in which they observe different natural sample in which they uncover the microbial world. They complete a two part worksheet that accompanies the lesson.
Curated OER
Water Ecology Lab
Students determine the characteristics of a stream ecosystem and its organisms. In this water ecology lesson students complete several labs that shows them presence of life, water appearance, and water flow.
Curated OER
Aquatic Ecosystems
Students study ponds and wetland ecosystems and examine the food chains and webs in them. In this aquatic ecosystems instructional activity students answer questions about the diversity of the flora and fauna in a pond.
Curated OER
Habitat Assessment
Third graders demonstrate the effects of varying environmental components on plants and animals: chemical, physical and biological characteristics of a habitat. They find chemical, physical and biological characteristics of the lake at...
Curated OER
Protozoans
Learners examine protozoans and their advantages and disadvantages. In this chemistry activity students explain what a protozoan is then draw and label one.
Curated OER
The Effects of Temperature Variations on the Heartbeat Rate of Daphnia
Learners use DigiScope technology to investigate Daphinia, popularly known as water fleas. They design, conduct, and report on an experiment to determine the effects of varying water temperatures on the heartbeat rate of Daphnia.
Curated OER
Microbes on My Mind
Students observe and read about microorganisms so that they can create an information book on microorganisms.
Curated OER
Does the Introduction of Pesticides and Fertilizers Alter an Aquatic Ecosystem?
Students conduct an experiment using a small sample from a local water source. They introduce fertilizers and pesticides, separately, and carefully examine the results in their simulated aquatic ecosystem.
Curated OER
Field Trip to test Water Quality
Students examine water quality indicators,test water quality and record their results. In this water quality lesson students complete a water testing lab and complete a lab report.
Curated OER
Biomes: Freshwater & Seawater
Young scholars observe organisms behavior and adaptations. In this biomes instructional activity students conduct fieldwork to determine water quality and answer questions about the differences between different habitats.
Curated OER
Out and About: Minibeasts
Students get up close and personal with invertebrates. In this mini-beasts lesson, students may visit the Natural History Museum, the Bramley Frith Education Centre, the Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World online or in-person to...
Curated OER
Fertilizer Frenzy
Learners design and conduct an experiment testing the effect of fertilizers/soaps on algal growth. They estimate and predict, identify the variables, formulate a hypothesis, and record and analyze the data, presenting their findings in a...
Curated OER
Relating Number of Insect Species to Water Quality
Students are asked to respond to questions such as:" Have there been surveys of the area to inventory the species?" (For example, for a wetland area, do they know what amphibians live there and how abundant they are?) Are there any...