Students bring in different trash items and define "marine debris" through a discussion about these items. They categorize debris and use statistics and graphing to better explain the types and amounts of marine debris found each yea

Learners explore the life cycles of insects and how they interact with each other in the prairie to create a healthy ecosystem and viable food chain. They list animals or insects in their own community that are similar to the prairie...

Make textbook reading more engaging using this reading activities worksheet, through which scholars review major features found on the ocean floor and the processes that formed these features. They complete 11 terms in a crossword...

Why would water 2700 meters deep suddenly become warmer? Explore this and other ocean floor discoveries through this reading response activity. Scholars read information about the organisms discovered by Alvin, a deep-sea submersible....

If only we could harness the energy of fifth graders, our energy problems would be over! The class discusses where different forms of energy come from and how we use them. They complete a chart of the activities that they do daily...

Young scholars examine the relationship between solar activity and the Earth's geomagnetic field in producing the phenomena known as aurora borealis (Northern Lights) by reading and discussing "Earth, Wind and Fireworks." students graph...

In small groups, middle schoolers research deep-sea coral reefs and design a poster to educate the public about their importance. They compare them to shallow-water reefs and consider the impact of bottom-trawl fishing. Many internet...

Students create schematic diagrams of the new Russian space station module. They compose an imaginary yet realistic series of diary entries from the point of view of an astronaut living on board the completed space station.

Students design an animal.  In this prairie lesson, students learn about physical and behavioral adaptation, locate the Great Plains on a map, and design an animal that would be perfectly adapted for life on the prairie. ...

Musical chairs may be a classic game, but Ruffe Musical Chairs is a unique instructional activity on invasive species! Using the time-honored game, pupils role play the behaviors of the invasive fish called Eurasian ruffe. Learning about...

Show your class how engineers use graphs to understand large and complex systems. The resource provides the beginnings of graph theory by introducing the class to set theory, graphs, and degree distributions of a graph. 

Using 2-liter bottles, junior ecologists create composting tubes in which they place nitrogen-rich and carbon-rich materials. They observe what changes occur over two weeks' time. Provide more specific direction to your class as to what...

Students analyze the similarities in different species. This lesson is part of a multi-segmented unit on the diversity of life. In this segment, students classify shoes to mimic the scientific categories of the classification system.

Students explore human development using Internet resources that contain text, drawings, photos, and video about human development. They research a trimester of pregnancy then create drawings to show what is happening to the fetus during...

Understanding the importance of sustainable fishing practices is fostered through a classroom game. In small groups, the class plays a fishing game where they can see first-hand, the effects of thoughtless fishing practices. After the...

Learners explore energy by researching fuel usage on Earth. In this fossil fuel lesson, students define fossil fuels, the energy created by burning them, and the impact on the environment when using them. Learners conduct pollution...

Upper elementary and middle schoolers examine the Great Flood of 1927 in the state of Arkansas. They each prepare an oral report about this flood and the huge impact it had on the economics of that time. Additionally, learners research...

Elsa is a lioness who was raised by humans in the 1950's. The Adamsons took her in after George Adamson reluctantly killed her mother. Elsa did return to the wild but maintained a very strong bond with the Adamsons until her death in...

Using a miniature coral reef aquarium kit, young ecologists model this unique ecosystem. They research various coral reef organisms and their niches, and they culminate the project by working together to write a report. Use this activity...

Examine wood bugs and their habitat. Learners gather wood bugs and examine their bodies. Then discuss their body parts and how they help them survive. They also predict where they think wood bugs live to then graph the class results.

Students develop an understanding of our planet as a system by designing a very-long-duration space mission in which the life-support system is patterned after that of earth.

The central video for this lesson is not available through the included resource link. However, the activity that simulates the passing of a virus through a population is impacting and the other resource links are invaluable. Use this...

Have your life science learners draw a graphic organizer as they view this PowerPoint. One click at at time, it presents the characteristics of living things in an organized manner, and tacks on a cute picture to help illuminate each....