Discover the power of wind energy. Learners design, build, and test wind blades in a hands-on experiment. They analyze the results to determine if they can make any improvements before gathering as a class to discuss their designs.

It's cloudy with a good chance of learning! An inquiry-based lesson begins with an exploration of transparent, translucent, and opaque materials. Young scientists then connect their learning to the different cloud types as they take the...

Students examine factors the create smog.  In this pollution activity students complete an activity about ozone. 

Third graders explore the concept of heat transfer as experienced in wearing winter clothing and analyzing the refrigerator.

Third graders investigate electrical circuits and how light bulbs are powered. In this electricity and power lesson, 3rd graders study the vocabulary necessary which includes the different types of circuits, electrical currents, and...

Learners work together to build their own simple circuits. They discover how electricity is conducted through light bulbs. They compare and contrast the differences beween a parallel and series circuit.

Students explore sound waves. In this sound waves lesson, students brainstorm different sounds and how sounds move or travel. Students then create a KWL chart and work through six different lab activities to examine how sound waves...

Students identify and classify magnetic and nonmagnetic materials and metals. After determining which materials and metals are magnetic, students create a data table and classify items by two different criteria. Students e-mail various...

Students discover the properties of chlorophyll in plants. In this plant biology lesson, students conduct an experiment to find where the chlorophyll in the plant is located. Students are split into small groups and study plant parts....

Students examine the different types of wind patterns. Using common materials, they construct weather vanes to measure and record wind direction over a two-week period. After analyzing the data, they draw conclusions about the...

Students participate in a simulation of the equal and unequal distribution of the earth's renewable resources. They discuss renewable resources and how food resources can increase and decrease, participate in the simulation, and analyze...

Students recognize that some animals eat plants, some eat meat and some both.  In this who eats who activity, students chart animals in a food chain.  Students research information from reading articles.  Students chart...

Third graders study the features of different moons orbiting the planets. In this astronomy lesson, 3rd graders explore the different phases of the moon using an interactive online website. They compare and contrast the features of the...

Students, through hands on games and activities, discover how bats live and how bats benefit ecosystems. They play a game designed to show them how echolocation works and another to show how mother bats locate their young through their...

Students collect and examine microscopic life from a local pond. In this biology lesson, students examine local pond water, searching for protozoa, with the use of a microscope. Students identify the various life forms in their slides...

Students explore rain forests.  In this rain forest lesson plan, students participate in a "BioBlitz" of their schoolyard, observing and recording every living thing in a designated area.  Students visit websites about rain...

Students locate and map ten volcanoes in United States, create chart comparing volcanoes by last eruption, type of volcano, location, and interesting fact, and create Powerpoint slide show describing basic information about volcanoes and...

Third graders investigate how farmers get more rice from their land. In this farming lesson, 3rd graders discover things that farmers to do produce more rice. Students study photosynthesis and illustrate pictures about it. Students test...

Students explore Hawaiian plants. In this Hawaii culture and botany lesson plan, students plant the haha(stem) of a taro plant. Students listen to Hawaiian myths about the taro plant and chorally speak a Hawaiian chant of protection....

Students explore the corn crop. In this farming lesson plan, students identify which states are in the corn belt and read about the history of corn, its uses and its development and growth. Students dissect a corn kernel. Students...

Students make a diorama.  In this insect lesson, students review what they know and what they need to know about insects. Students define conservation, discuss why it is important to conserve insects, and make an insect diorama.

Students explore whales. In this animal adaptation and whale lesson, students access prior knowledge about whales from previous lessons, then use background knowledge to predict the eating strategies of a baleen whale and a toothed...

Young scholars identify the main parts of a seed. In this biology activity, students explain the factors needed for the seed to grow. They record observations everyday and report findings to class.

Third graders listen to a talk on phase transitions and view three demonstrations. In this phases of matter instructional activity, 3rd graders complete a worksheet as they listen about phase transitions. They move through three...