Students play the role of migrating birds. As a class, they simulate a migration of birds to one place and back again. They relate their habitat size and changes to their current population numbers. They discover the many dangers of...

Second in a series of five lessons, this lesson encourages preteens to consider cities as urban ecosystems. First, they keep a food diary for a few days. They visit the Natrional Agricultural Statistics Service website for current data...

Fourth graders research the design of the aircraft used by the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk. They design a sculpture of aircraft using recycled materials.

Students describe properties of liquids and use descriptive language as a springboard to develop precise vocabulary for properties of liquids. They also use vocabulary as practiced with liquid-vocabulary card games. Finally, students...

Students use interview techniques to explore the traditional wisdom of fishers, farmers, First Nations, and other peoples whose close relationship with nature gives them a deeper understanding of, and sensitivity toward, climatic cycles...

Students see how patterns can reveal events of the past, thereby merging elements of both experimental and historical science.

Students explain ozone pollution and make them aware of how it is formed. They simulate the development of smog and infer how it occurs in nature.

Students investigate why a balloon flies in one direction as air escapes in the opposite direction, which helps them understand the nature of rockets and fireworks. Individually and in teams, students conduct research to create a...

Young scholars read and discuss Dr. Seuss's The Lorax. They explore the changes the characters could have made to preserve the environment and relate the plot to real-world places and events.

Students realize that aging is a "natural, continuous process" and develop sensitivity to the needs, desires, and capabilities of the elderly by interviewing elderly community members and photographing age related things.

Students read "The Mixed-Up Chameleon" by Eric Carle. They discuss the chameleon's color changes and their ability to catch flies. They read a fact sheet. They view a live chameleon in a natural environment. They write down observations...

Students examine how volcanic eruptions affect global climate. They listen to first-hand accounts of the effects of a large volcanic eruption and illustrate a landscape to show understanding. They experiment with the loss of light and...

Young scholars research endangered species.  In this ecology and literacy research instructional activity, students work with a partner to research an endangered species of their choice. Young scholars choose from a variety of...

Students design a web that shows the interactions between the living and non-living parts of the environment. They determine what an environment is and how engineers work together to solve problems. They complete a tally chart that they...

Students study the interdependence of an ecosystem that allows it to sustain itself. They examine the Western lowland gorillas for an example.

Students are introduced to the concept of weathering. In groups, they use the internet to research the various types of weathering agents and their effect on different materials. Using photographs, they discuss the role humans play in...

Fourth graders receive data about tree ring records, solar activity, and volcanic eruptions during the Little Ice Age (1350-1850). From this data, they draw conclusions about possible natural causes of climate change

In this volcano vocabulary worksheet, students match vocabulary words on the left with definitions on the right. Worksheet is labeled as a quiz but may be used as practice or review.

Through an informative WebQuest and group work, learners explore the human body and cell structure. They create a cell diagram, research a disease, write a letter explaining the causes of human disease, and work in small groups to create...

Students complete a variety of activities related to the physical characteristics of minerals. They classify and group candy, classify rocks and complete a Pet River Rock worksheet. Students try to guess which rock goes with each...

Students research the signs that panthers leave. In this panther track lesson, students conduct Internet research into the signs that panthers leave such as tracks, scat, scrapes, and scratches. They make a three-dimensional poster using...

Young scholars explore tornadoes, the damage they cause, and how to rate tornadoes. They will investigate the Fujita Damage Scale of tornado intensity, and use it to complete a mock engineering analysis of damage caused by a tornado....

Students complete a hands on activity using hard boiled eggs, food coloring, tape, cups, water, and a knife to show how permeability affects animals. In this permeability lesson plan, students complete this activity and learn how...

Students review the concepts of weather, climate, and seasons. They read and discuss a book about weather. Students collaborate on a class definition for climate and weather. They match weather to the specific season. Students...