Students examine the effect of cultural diversity on themselves and their community. They create a presentation to be given at a multi-school diversity conference. After listening to various cultures speak, they compare and contrast...

Students identify the common trees of Iowa and make observations while creating a key. In this tree hunt lesson plan, students write a letter to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to receive a pamphlet of Common Trees of Iowa....

High schoolers use the internet to research and determine who their representative is. In groups, they discuss how the representatives set their priorities and identify the various roles they can play. They determine which role their own...

High schoolers identify the roles and responsibilies of a member of Congress. In groups, they brainstorm a list of qualities senators and representatives should have. They also work together to develop a brochure for someone to examine...

Students get involved in a unique collaboration that enhances their knowledge of architecture and design. Develop organizer resources with others. They are engulfed into a world of architects and museum specialists to facilitate the...

Learners conduct scientific investigation in which they observe glacial effects on landscape, develop and explain their own theories of how glaciers change land, and demonstrate understanding and explain basic motion and force principles.

Students use field research and traditional research to identify migrating species of birds as well as their migratory patterns. Students generate a list of questions regarding migration and a plan to research the questions. A field...

Learners examine the concept of angular momentum and its correlation to mass, velocity, and radius. They listen to a teacher-led lecture, conduct an experiment with rotational inertia, angular momentum, and rotation speed by making...

Students investigate foodborne illnesses and involved microbes. They identify major pathogens and then research and explain how they contaminate foods and how people are affected.

Learners participate in an activity that introduces them to the concept of binary coding as a language. They decode messages using special boards that has its own code for different letters. They create new codes by rearranging wires...

Twelfth graders study the relationships of the 3 variables in Newton's Second Law. They design an experiment to test the relationships among the variables. Students work cooperatively with members of a team. They also analyze data to...

Fourth graders explore biology by viewing animal videos in class. For this amphibian and reptile lesson, 4th graders identify the key differences between reptiles, amphibians and other animal classifications. Students view video clips in...

Young scholars use topographic maps to identify parts of rivers. In addition, they discover gradient and predict changes in the channels caused by variations in water flow. Other activities include sketching a river model with a new...

Students are introduced to the topic of area. In groups, they share various techniques to help them identify different shapes and work together to calculate the area. They use this same knowledge to determine the area of animal tracks...

Students explore canoes and kayaks. In this canoe and kayak lesson, students research the history, parts, and sport of the canoe and kayak.  Students then practice how to use a paddle for each boat, and go on a field trip in order...

Students make Native American cordage.  In this Native American activity, students use different fibers to make and test the strength of their cordage.

Students investigate the trees of the Mississippi Valley, specifically looking at the coniferous and deciduous forests. The research of the area is part of a field study when students conduct a survey of local forests in order to create...

Students explore volcanoes, locate them on maps, record general information about volcanoes, and organize information on a fact sheet.

Fourth graders cooperatively develop a classroom belief statement that serves as their classroom constitution. Each student is involved in the creation of the statement. Each group presents their belief statement to the class.

Learners examine macro-invertebrates in order to better understand their link to the food web. Working in groups, they record observations of several areas of a stream or river, collect samples from the river bottom, and identify the...

Students discover the types of stress that materials undergo. They examine how bridges and skyscrapers are built to withhold the tension. They create their own structure out of marshmallows and spaghetti.

Students isolate DNA from kiwi cells, spool DNA from a kiwi, describe role of the DNA and genes, and explain how knowledge of DNA and genes can be used in genetically modifying foods.

Sixth graders classify fungus into two different groups. In this fungus lesson, 6th graders collect as many pieces of fungus as possible. Students then classify these pieces of fungus as saprophytic or parasitic. 

Young scholars explore genetics and evolution by examining a hypothetical mouse population. Using coin tosses, they determine mouse traits of parents and offspring. Finally, they consider the outcomes of changing environmental...