+
Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Gorongosa: Making Observations Activity

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Do you have young scientists wanting to make new discoveries rather than just completing the same experiments? Young scientists use their observational skills to identify animals and patterns in animal behavior. Through tracking...
+
Lesson Plan
National Wildlife Federation

I’ve Got the POWER Wind Energy Potential at Your School

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The 20th lesson in a 21-part series connects the wind data and expectations of a turbine to whether such devices should be built in your area. Scholars begin with estimating the wind potential at school by using long-term climate data...
+
Lesson Plan
National Wildlife Federation

Why All The Wiggling on the Way Up?

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Some of the CO2 emitted by burning fossil fuels is removed from the atmosphere by natural sinks, such as the ocean. The fifth engaging lesson plan in the series of 21 examines the CO2 data from three very different locations. It then...
+
Unit Plan
NASA

The Heat is On: Urban Heat Islands, Detection Strategies, and Mitigation Solutions

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
It's sure getting hot out there! Scholars analyze satellite data on land use and surface temperatures, and then learn how to ground truth satellite data through an activity. They apply technology to identify urban heat islands and...
+
Lesson Plan
PBS

Rain Shadows

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Satellite images from NASA help scholars focus on the similarities on the planet rather than the differences. The photos from the installment of a larger PBS series exploring weather and climate compare geological formations in the...
+
Interactive
PBS

Mountain Weather: Orographic Lift

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
Why do so many mountain ranges exist next to a desert? As part of a larger series, PBS 6-8 Weather and Climate answers this question. The presentation offers diagrams and photographs of the development of a rain shadow. From Oregon to...
+
Lesson Plan
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Lesson 6: Biomes and Landscapes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Aside from the amazing animals in Gorongosa National Park, what else is there to discover? The sixth installment in an eight-part themed series contains an interactive map where scholars can learn more about the geographic features of...
+
Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Measuring Biodiversity in Gorongosa

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Take your biology class' understanding of biodiversity to a whole new level! Ecology scholars use data to calculate three different diversity indices based on the organisms in the Gorongosa National Park. The four-part activity uses an...
+
Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Building Ecological Pyramids

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Looking for a fresh take on traditional food/energy pyramids? Conduct an innovative activity where pupils build their own! The lesson uses research data from Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique for a real-life safari touch. Scholars...
+
Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Scientific Inquiry Using WildCam Gorongosa

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How do scientists determine what questions to ask to meet their research goals? Help your class develop an inquiry mindset with a lesson based on studies in the Gorongosa National Park. Partners create their own research questions by...
+
Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

A View From Above

For Teachers 8th - Higher Ed
Analyzing and interpreting satellite data takes knowledge and patience. Through a detailed lab investigation, young scholars learn the process of analyzing this data. They use technology to create color images and maps from real...
+
Unit Plan
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Schoolyard Biodiversity Investigation Educator Guide

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
In 1980, in the tropical rainforests of Panama, scientists discovered 1,200 species of beetles living in and around just 19 trees, with most of the species new to science—that's biodiversity! In the activity, learners work in teams to...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Salmon in the Classroom

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students list the salmon life cycle stages in order. They draw a stream with the vegetation, animals, and water quality parameters that are necessary for salmon survival. Students explain the connection between animal morphology and...
+
Organizer
Curated OER

The United States and Canada: Climate and Vegetation

For Students 7th - 10th
Display U.S. and Canadian climate and vegetation through this text-companion learning exercise. Learners read about the geography of these regions, take notes, and answer 3 comprehension questions as they read the selection. A graphic...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Hawaiian Mountain Zones

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders watch a video that describes the climate and vegetation zones of Hawaii. They describe the different physical conditions that create vegetation zones from the sea to the mountains. In groups, they create an illustrated...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build an Anchialine Pond

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore biology by conducting a nature experiment. In this pond examination lesson, students utilize recycled materials, play-doh and water to recreate a pond and its inhabitants. Students identify the different elements within...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rainfall Mapping

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore rainfall and habitats. For this rainfall lesson, students explore the relationships among rainfall, vegetation, and animal habitats. Resources are provided.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Permeability

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discuss how soil permeability is affected by permafrost. In this soil lesson plan, students freeze soil over night, and discuss how the environmental conditions of freezing affect soil and further affect vegetation.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Do Your Veggies Grow?

For Teachers K - 1st
Students examine the different ways fruits and vegetables are grown. In this vegetable growth instructional activity students are presented with the three ways that the vegetation occurs: leaves, roots, or branches. The students group...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Playground Greenup

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students document changes in the playground vegetation during the year by making drawings or taking digital photographs of grass, trees, bushes, weeds, and other vegetation. They study how the color of vegetation changes during different...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Vegetation, Precipitation, and Surface Temperature to Study Climate Zones

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars begin their examination of the climate zones found around the world. Using a software program, they identify the relationship between the vegetation, climate and temperatures of the different zones. They also plot...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Marine Biology Field Trips

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students visit a Marine Biology study area 2-3 times and write a report after the last visit. They participate in the Marine Biology field trips working with lab partners. They complete data sheets to write their primitive environmental...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

ExplorA-Pond: 5th Grade Soil Erosion

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders visit a pond or a stream and find areas of the shoreline with vegetation and without. They pour buckets of water down each and observe the effect plants have on soil erosion. They draw and record results in a lab booklet.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In My Own Backyard

For Teachers K - 3rd
Pupils explore the soil and vegetation found in their home and/or school environment and map a familiar area. Each group is assigned a section of the schoolyard. They draw maps of their assigned places and gather soil and vegetation...