Lesson Plan
US Department of Energy

Rate of Coral Growth

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Using the provided table of information, middle school marine biologists chart data on a graph to determine the impact of water depth on coral growth in Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Then they answer questions that connect the data to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Disastrous World

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students explore natural disasters around the world from the experiences of other students, friends and families. They collaborate with countries such as Japan, China, India, Australia, Russia, Great Britain as well as from the United...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

El Niño ~ The Return of El Niño

For Teachers 7th - 12th
El Niño sure creates a stir when it comes around! Why not stir up your earth science class with this data analysis activity that examines the temperature and precipitation over the 2002-2003 water year. A tracking chart is provided...
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Watching Crystals Grow

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Amazing science can sometimes happen right before your eyes! The class gets cozy as they watch crystals grow. They use Epsom salts, rocks, and food coloring to create crystals. They'll observe the entire process, documenting every step...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Deep Sea Coral Biodiversity

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars research life forms of both tropical coral reefs and deep-sea coral reefs to discover the biodiversity of the ecosystems. They compare and contrast the diversity and adaptations of the two eco-systems, and draw a picture...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica Today

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore the importance of research in Antarctica, then explain how snow becomes part of the Antarctic ice cap. They explore Antarctica's harsh environment and discover how scientists drill ice cores and what information ice...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tree of Life

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students explore the importance of the tropical rain forest in different cultures. Through a cooperative game, they locate countries that are known for their forest resources. Students discuss the similarities and differences of various...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

AUSTRALIA

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the different types of barrier reefs and how they are formed.  In this barrier reef lesson students complete several activities on coral reefs.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Big Wet

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research areas of Australia and other parts of the world characterized by a tropical wet and dry climate.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Deep Sea Coral Biodiversity

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students research life forms on tropical coral reefs in order to explore the biodiversity of the ecosystem.  In this biodiversity lesson students work in groups and complete their coral reef activity. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Much Water is Available in the Atmosphere for Precipitation?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore the relationship between the amount of water in the atmosphere available for precipitation and the actual precipitation observed by satellite. They examine seasonal changes in precipitation. They practice using Internet...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Playing Historical Detective: Great Grandmother's Dress and Other Clues to the Life and Times of Annie Steel

For Teachers Pre-K - 8th
Students draw conclusions about an mystery person based on documents and artifacts provided. In this drawing conclusions lesson, students become detectives by reading and analyzing evidence provided. This lesson includes information on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Racism No Way

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Young scholars explore different cultural influences and their contribution to Australian identities. They reflect on their own backgrounds and making links with their peers, reflect on our heritage. Students view My family- My...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plants and Animals: Partners in Pollination

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students describe the complementary relationships between pollinators and the plants they pollinate, identify adaptations that flowers have developed to "encourage" pollination, and create and draw their own "designer" flowers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plants and Animals, Partners in Pollination

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students participate in multiple hands-on activities to explore reproduction and pollination. In groups, using a cotton swab and powder, students simulate being pollinators and plants. They name the parts of the flowers and the function...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocks and Minerals

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars bring rocks and minerals from home to investigate in the classroom. In this rocks and minerals lesson plan, students observe all the rocks and minerals brought into the class and answer 7 questions about the features of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Under the Spell of Spiders

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Learners examine spiders. In these spider lessons, students will view spider images and live spiders to determine physical characteristics, habits, and habitats. Learners will examine fantasy and folklore about spiders to create and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"ART ZOO 'Blacks in the Westward Movement', 'What Can You Do with a Portrait', and 'Of Beetles, Worms, and Leaves of Grass'"

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study black history, examine portraits and portrait making and create their own portraits, and  investigate their natural environment. This humanities instructional activity provides a text that can be used to teach lessons...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Australian Legends

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Young scholars discover legends of Australia and compare them to Biblical stories.  In this Australian legends lesson, students discuss the Australian "Stories of the Dreaming" and their purpose in Australian culture.  Young...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Minerals, Crystals, and Gems

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students discover the relationships between minerals, crystals and gems. They bring in rocks that they find at home, in the schoolyard, etc. and examine them and attempt to identify them. They set up a classroom exhibit that includes all...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climate and Cultures of Africa

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students gain an understanding of the relationship between climate and culture in the sub- Saharan Africa. Students will complete short exercises pertaining to the various cultures of Africa and the climate in which they live....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lift and Drag: Principles of Flight and the Soaring Imagination

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students construct models of early gas balloons and gliders. In this balloon and glider lesson plan, students create models of early gas balloons and gliders, discover how the forces of lift and drag effect aircraft in flight, and put...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heat Waves

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Pupils explore weather patterns by conducting an experiment in class. In this heatwaves lesson plan, students identify how weather raises to an unhealthy degree and the effect it can have on people and their environment. Pupils utilize a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Great Barrier Reef-Guarding Nemo

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars explore the Great Barrier Reef. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students conduct research regarding the Great Barrier Reef and examine methods to preserve the Reef. Young scholars apply the RAFT method to prepare...