Students select and collect soil samples from a variety of locations (schoolyard, home, etc.). They do this lab after an interest-generating discussion about "dirt" and microbes. Students make a dilution in sterile water, plate it on a...

Students calculate their pulse rate and explore how heart rate is affected by various activities.

Students examine the roles of an animal cell's parts, how each part relates to one another and then demonstrate their knowledge by writing a story about the animal cell structure.

The purpose of this lesson is to introduce the students to a unit on seasons. The Students will learn how to navigate a PowerPoint presentation. They will use the PowerPoint presentation to take a pre test in order to determine the prior...

Young scholars identify animals in ecosystem depicted on 16th Century ceramic basin and classify them as herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores based on physical characteristics and prior knowledge, determine which life forms in ecosystem...

Students examine ocean life by identifying methane hydrates.  In this ocean life instructional activity, students research organisms that live in the coldest, deepest parts of the ocean and live off methane hydrates.  Students...

Students view animals that camouflage at the Shedd aquarium website. For this camouflage lesson, students recognize that there are different types of camouflage, cryptic coloring, counter-shading, warning coloration and mimicry. Students...

Learners redesign a human, using data in research, so that s/he can fly. In this flying lesson, students examine the characteristics and adaptations of groups of animals that can fly.  Using this research, learners work...

Students examine the use of robotic vehicles for fish surveys. In this ocean life lesson, students discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using underwater robots and the requirements an underwater robot must meet in order to observe...

Students investigate mosquitoes. In this mosquito bytes lesson, students consider reasons why mosquitoes transfer disease and ways to combat them. Students read an article, discuss, and complete a quiz.

Student use the scientific method to experiment with worms. In this characteristics of living things lesson, students predict and examine the reactions of worms to dry and wet soil. Students share their findings.

Students complete a worksheet while viewing a video about the oceans. They locate the oceans on a map and identify positive and negative ways in which humans have impacted them. They discuss any questions at the end of the lesson.

Students examine fossils to understand how they are formed and how they give information about geological history. In this fossil lesson, students research and write about fossils and make models of different fossil types.The PDF...

Students examine human anatomy by creating a prosthetic limb.  In this medical engineering lesson, students view numerous images of prosthetics used in science today and define several medical terms associated with prosthetics....

Students participate in an experiment to understand how robotic systems can estimate distances.  In this robotic ranger lesson, students measure the the time it takes for and object to move back and forth.  Students will use a...

Students explore the research process. In this scientific method lesson, students analyze data from an article, write their own informational article and express what they have learned. Students create their own article using the given...

Students apply cause and effect relationships to water pollution in a stream. In this pollution lesson plan students recognize the importance of clean water in their daily lives. Students accompany "Fred the Fish" as he travels down...

Students explore channelization, riparian habitats and soil erosion to find out about  the aquatic habitats in Iowa. In this aquatic habitats lesson, students define important terms and read an article about pollution. ...

Students investigate the differences and similarities between shallow-water and deep-sea coral reefs.  In this coral reef lesson plan, students research and compare the characteristics of reefs.  Students describe various...

Learners research the causes of the extinction of Pleistocene mammals.  In this Pleistocene mammals lesson, students read essays to understand the Pleistocene epoch. Learners write an essay about the personal impact of this...

Young scholars explore how scientists build robotic arms that move similar to humans. For this robot lesson, students examine how scientists make robots. Young scholars design and construct a mechanical arm that moves like a human arm....

Young scholars identify the elements of natural disasters and gain an understanding on how the media influences people's responses to disasters. In this natural disaster lesson plan, students study the impact of natural disasters, and...

Students inspect the anatomy of earthworms. In this earthworm lesson, students participate in a hands-on experiment as they analyze the structure of earthworms. Students demonstrate mastery through differentiated products. Lesson...

Fifth graders investigate diseases of the respiratory system. In this respiratory system lesson, 5th graders research, using a variety of sources, the common diseases this system. They determine the causes of a breakdown in the system...