Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Gorongosa: Making Observations Activity

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Do you have young scientists wanting to make new discoveries rather than just completing the same experiments? Young scientists use their observational skills to identify animals and patterns in animal behavior. Through tracking...
Activity
PBS

The Cat in the Hat Activity Exploring Weather

For Teachers K - 2nd Standards
Observe different types of weather right in your classroom! Here, pupils look at clouds, rain, snow, wind, and hot and cold temperatures, and observe these weather patterns at school. They keep track of their observations in a worksheet...
Lesson Plan
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Lesson 7: Observations Across Habitats

For Teachers 9th - 12th
How are animals in separate but nearby habitats related? Ecology scholars compare the animal inhabitants of the Gorongosa National Park in part seven of an eight-part series. Learners study photos from two different habitats, then...
Lesson Plan
ReadWriteThink

Webcams in the Classroom: Animal Inquiry and Observation

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Boost observational skills with an inquiry-based lesson that takes scholars on a virtual field trip. With help from webcams, learners observe animals in a zoo or aquarium. Observations go into a journal and a discussion is held to review...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dirt Babies

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Dirt babies are an excellent way to show young botanists the plant life cycle. They explore the functions and industry behind grasses before growing some of their own. Use the informational text here and consider implementing some...
Unit Plan
1
1
PBS

Blow the Roof Off!

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
Blow the minds of young scientists with this collection of inquiry-based investigations. Based on a series of eight videos, these "hands-on, minds-on" science lessons engage young learners in exploring a wide range of topics...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Perception and Observation

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students use common and unusual objects to make observations of details, design, and functionality. They describe and draw each object while working in small groups. The differences between observation and perception is covered as part...
Workbook
Curated OER

Chapter 1: The Science of Biology

For Students 9th - 12th
Provide young biologists with everything they need to excel in the study of lymphatics, the nervous system, hormones, cellular division, and more! Pupils utilize the workbook, complete with end-of-chapter assessment worksheets, to...
Lesson Plan
Towson University

Looking Into Lactase: Guided Inquiry

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Milk does a body good ... unless, of course, someone is lactose intolerant. Pupils play the role of pharmaceutical scientists in a guided inquiry lab about lactase. Lab groups collaborate to learn more about lactose intolerance, how...
Lesson Plan
Discovery Education

The Everyday Science of Sports

For Teachers Pre-K - Higher Ed
Physical science juniors will enjoy this sensational enrichment on aerodynamics, especially if they are also sports fans! With a focus on physical features and behaviors, collaborative groups make observations on five different golf...
Lesson Plan
American Chemical Society

Dissolving a Substance in Different Liquids

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Second of six lessons in a unit on dissolving, this one focuses on how sugar behaves in different liquids. Learners stir it into water, alcohol, and oil and make observations. This lesson can stand alone, but is best used as part of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

When the Wind Blows Lesson Plan

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Learners read a book and observe the wind and how it affects the environment. They explore what wind does by looking at pictures, reading a book, and by completing an experiment. They will use their own knowledge of the wind and compare...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observations and Procedures

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scientists critique the breakdown of detailed observations. They discover the importance of writing down experimental procedures. There are some guided discussion questions at the end of the resource.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigate Science Using Crayfish

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Young scientists discover the importance of scientific investigation by observing live crayfish. They carefully observe the patterns of crayfish in different environments. Then they discuss their conclusions and define what all living...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Close Observation: Coins

For Teachers 2nd
Integrate math, science, and speaking/listening with a collaborative hands-on activity. Each group works with a single penny, examining it with the naked eye and recording observations. Repeat using magnifying glasses. Then repeat with a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Applied Science - Science and Math Lab 4B

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners experiment with the combination of vinegar and baking soda. In this applied science lesson plan, future scientists compare qualitative and quantitative data collected from their exploration. Then they work together to analyze...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning in Cockroaches

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students make scientific observations. In this stimulus response lesson, students make observations and collect data to determine if cockroaches can learn. A secondary purpose of this lesson is to provide students with the opportunity to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Do You See What I See?

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students engage in a instructional activity that differentiates between right and wrong types of observations. In order to conduct the experiment they are provided with leaves and nameless objects with different designs. The two are...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Your Senses

For Teachers K - 4th
Students make observations. In this sensory skills lesson, students use their senses as well as tools that sharpen their senses to make observations regarding foods and other items.
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

What's on a Penny?

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
As a lesson on scientific observation, have your class investigate the features of a penny and a nickel. Working in pairs, they practice writing detailed descriptions using their senses and a ruler to gather information. This is an...
Lesson Plan
1
1
Baylor College

Magnifying and Observing Cells

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Though it isn't a novel activity to prepare onion cell and Elodea plant cell slides as examples of cells in a microbiology unit, this resource will leave you thoroughly prepared. As pupils examine the slides that they prepare, they draw...
Lesson Plan
Towson University

Mystery Disease

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How did scientists determine the cause of illness before technology? Science scholars play the role of medical researcher in an engaging guided inquiry activity. Using observations, technical reading, and Punnett squares, learners...
Lesson Plan
NOAA

Watch the Screen!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Can a sponge cure cancer? Life science pupils visit the drugstore under the sea in the fifth activity of six. Working groups research the topic then get hands-on experience by testing the inhibiting effects of several plant extracts...
Unit Plan
Royal Society of Chemistry

Acids and Alkalis—Gifted and Talented Chemistry

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Looking for a comprehensive plan for teaching acid-base chemistry? Science scholars discover acid-base interactions through a thoughtfully written unit. The resource is divided into paced activities and individual work designed to...