Students conduct Internet research to track the path of Hurricane Rita. They record the sea surface temperature of the Gulf of Mexico during and after the hurricane and draw conclusions about how hurricanes extract heat energy from the...

Learners examine how solar energy is absorbed and used.  In this solar energy lesson students complete several activities that allow them to better understand solar energy. 

Students explain the main concepts of food webs and food chains. They describe the role of animals, plants, and other organisms in cycling energy and matter through a food web by creating mobiles. Lesson contains adaptations for all levels.

Students explore the variety of ways to use solar energy. They investigate the thermal energy storage capacities of different test materials to determine which to use in passive solar building design. They explain how passive solar...

Student groups rotate through four stations to examine light energy behavior: refraction, magnification, prisms and polarization. They see how a beam of light is refracted (bent) through various transparent mediums. Students investigate...

Students plant seeds and learn about photosynthesis.  In this photosynthesis lesson, students plant watercress seeds, cut a design into cardboard and cover the seedlings with the cardboard.  Students observe as the seeds in the...

Students investigate the different levels of the rain forest by comparing it to an apartment.  For this ecology lesson, students practice using forest related vocabulary words and complete a vocabulary data sheet.  Students...

Third graders identify the different parts of the sun. In this astronomy lesson, 3rd graders examine how the sun's energy drive life processes on Earth. They construct a model of a solar system using large rolls of toilet paper.

Students examine living and non-living things. In this life science lesson, students are given a group of objects and discuss if they are living or non-living. Students identify and list characteristics of living things.

Learners describe a coral reef, how it is formed and its inhabitants. They explain the ecological and economic importance of coral reefs and discuss its present-day threats. Lesson contains adaptations for all levels.

Students create a linking chain to demonstrate the food chain.  In this food chain lesson, students use the Internet to research sharks, including what they eat, and create a chain link with a picture of a shark.  They continue...

Students study the stages of development of an unknown organism. For this zebrafish lesson, students examine and collect data as they use microscopes to view a zebrafish embryo.

Students explore the challenges of living in space by designing a facility that can provide everything required to support humans and can protect them from the harsh environment of space.

If you are looking for how to introduce elementary environmentalists to the process of composting, here is a comprehensive outline for making it happen. The plan is to set this up at the beginning of a school year in order to observe the...

Learners apply their knowledge of friction, drag, mass and gravity as they design, build, and test mini-bobsleds.

Students investigate the environment by participating in a class trip. For this pond ecosystem lesson, students define a list of vocabulary terms associated with ponds such as invertebrate and metamorphosis. Students attend a field trip...

This PowerPoint features a game based on the animal life. The interactive slides include 20 questions about animal needs, animal groups, and animal traits. The questions include multiple choice answers and 4 different levels of...

Why is weather different around the world? Learn about world climates with a reading comprehension passage. Kids read a short passage before answering five comprehension questions based on context clues.

Students explore how and why heat is produced from things that give off light, from machines, or when one thing is rubbed against another. They participate in several hands-on activities designed to help them realize that heat is related...

Students develop a clearer understanding of how and why heat is produced from things that give off light, from machines, or when one thing is rubbed against another.

Students, in groups, use given materials to devise a way to deposit a ping-pong ball into a paper cup that is located in the middle of a 6-foot diameter circle, while standing outside the circle.

Students build a device that captures and carries a pet rat safely back to its cage with out "harming" the rat or themselves. They build and experiment with wind-up or battery operated rat cat toys after predicting the outcome of their...

Young gardners read and listen to books about seeds, plants, and the growing process. They plant seeds in plastic cups to observe the process of root-growing and plant formation. The whole class walks through a field to collect seeds...