Students identify and describe the stages in the water cycle. Using plants, they determine if they play a role in the cycle and measure the water the plants give off. They complete an experiment to determine if deciduous or coniferous...

Students use a variety of objects to test for ability to "stick" to a magnet. They perform an experiment to see that electricity in circuits can produce light, heat, sound, and magnetic effects. They discover magnets attract and repel...

As part of a unit, this lesson familiarizes youngsters with components of a rain garden. They speculate about the role of an assigned component in contributing to a rain garden, and ultimately, in the health of the local watershed. Each...

Young entomologists explored beneficial insects and how they help control pests in the first lesson of the series. Now class members take a close look at the lacewing, which is a beneficial insect.

A lab activity is a great way to incite thoughtful questioning and scientific processes. Pupils will collect organisms with a Petri dish, make observations, sketch the organism, ask questions, then attempt to identify the specimen...

Engineering challenges are not just man-made ... nature has its own set of them. A hands-on STEM activity has groups designing a seed dispersal system. Each group can only use one sheet of paper — a tough task!

Learn about damage associated with earthquakes and materials that best withstand a quake. A lab engages class members in the experimental design and construction of sturdy structures that can endure various earthquake...

Students explore energy properties by listening to a sustainability lecture in class. In this biomass lesson plan, students identify what biomass is, how it can be transformed into a usable energy and how it complements the energy cycle....

Learners read a Natural Inquirer article and present the findings and implications to the class. They discuss if the findings match the implications and whether they think they are important.

Students follow a bookmaking format to create a book and use it as a garden journal. In this science journal lesson, students follow book making directions to create a garden and science journal.

Young scholars analyze the symbol for recycling. In this recycling lesson, students define and identify various symbols and draw the symbol for recycling. Young scholars investigate ways to keep natural resources in the recycling loop.

Fourth graders research organisms in the environment in Kentucky and create brochures for the local area wildlife reserves. Individuals create brochures that include information on habitat, body characteristics, scientific class, role...

Students examine nature by participating in an environmental art activity. In this imaginary creature lesson, students discuss the importance of a habitat when pertaining to wild animals or bugs. Students utilize tree parts which they...

Young geologists discover the important role that rocks and minerals play in our everyday lives through this series of hands-on activities. Starting off with a lesson that defines the difference between plants, animals, and...

Young scholars describe what is meant by restoration cycle. In groups, they create a poster to show the cycle of restoration work. After presenting their poster, they discuss the actions that can be done for each season. To end the...

Students watch the teacher make a cloud. In this water cycle lesson, students discuss the water cycle and see the formation of a cloud. The teacher leads the discussion including the role of water vapor, smoke and air pressure.

Students create a butterfly garden. In this butterfly garden activity, students plot a garden with plant species that will attract butterflies. Students learn about the specific plants and items that will help butterflies use the garden.

Students create a collage of human land use activities around a body of water. Students evaluate the effects of different kinds of land use on wetland habitats, and create a list of pros and cons for each land use.

Learners examine art of butterflies and discuss what they know about the insect. They create their own butterfly puppets and write a story to represent its life cycle.

What's the term for clouds that look like fluffy cotton balls? What about thick, gray clouds? Learn the names and descriptions for each type of cloud with a worksheet and activity. Learners read four columns of high-level, mid-level,...

Students investigate the concepts of hurricanes and violent weather conditions. In this violent weather instructional activity, students access an Internet site and watch a video about how air masses behave, how a tornado forms, how...

Learners see that insects do lots good and are very valuable to humans and nature. This is part of an ongoing effort to dispel fears of insects. They rotate through a series of centers that have examples of how insects contribute to our...

Students explore the effect of environmental factors on ecosystems.  In this wildlife and ecology lesson, students identify and describe the stages in a frog's life cycle. Students participate in a simulation demonstrating the...

Students discover the value of sustainability within our ecosystem. In this ecological lesson, students discuss the importance of a food cycle in our society, and how humans can improve the conservation of a healthy ecosystem. Eventually...