Students investigate the pond water from a local water source. They collect the pond water from the bottom or near vegetation in order to obtain the best sample possible. Then they use microscopes in class in order to examine the life...

Second graders examine the characteristics of animals who live in a pond environment. In groups, they describe the various stages in the life of a frog and identify the characteristics of other pond animals. Using this information,...

Sixth graders observe the pond ecosystem. In this ecosystem lesson, 6th graders observe the organisms at the pond and create a poster that illustrates the pond.

Students gather mosquito eggs to record the mosquito life cycle using drawings, descriptions, and any other appropriate means. In small groups, they analyze and describe the process of complete metamorphosis. They classify mosquitoes...

Learners model a pond system that becomes enriched with nutrients (fertilizer). They manipulate variables, make observations over time, and draw conclusions that may lead to further inquiry. They, in groups, simulate a pond environment.

By setting up an aquarium in the classroom, learners are able to describe some macroscopic and microscopic organisms that are found inside. This well-designed, and educationally rich lesson requires pupils to use microscopes to view...

Lab groups set up an experiment to observe what happens over time in collected pond water when fertilizer, representing pollution, is added. This website does not include student lab sheets, but background information, materials, and...

Fifth graders investigate how a pond ecosystem can change into a prairie or grassland ecosystem. They observe a small pond ecosystem in a two liter soda bottle, and examine and record changes over a two-week period of time on a worksheet.

Students identify different organisms found in the lake ecosystem. For this life science lesson, students discover the predator-prey relationship through a game. They explain how beavers adapt to the environment over time.

Sixth graders conduct a variety of experiments that enable them to investigate bacteria. They use microscopes, prepared slides, video, moldy bread and pond water to observe types of bacteria and how bacteria interacts with the...

Third graders make and maintain a mini terrarium. They keep a daily journal of what happens in their terrarium and record daily observations and measurements.

Students design and conduct experiments in order to identify the components of lake water environments that are affected by winter ice cover. They use the experiment results to propose effective human management of these ecosystems.

Learners identify biotic and abiotic factors. In this environmental study instructional activity, students conduct a series of experiments to collect and record data and draw conclusions based on the results. 

Students identify diffusion and its processes through experimentation and calculations. They also use a CBL and conductivity probe to measure the conductivity of various solutions and study the effect of concentration gradients on the...

Students explore hydrology concepts. In this environment and biology lesson, students identify and describe macroinvertebrates using a variety of pictures and resources. Students observe and write about a classroom aquarium in which...

Students describe three major categories of indicators that are used to delineate wetlands.  In this wetlands instructional activity students visit a wetland and make observations then complete an activity using the soil. 

High schoolers carry out an experiment to monitor diurnal fluctuations in dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH, and water temperature. They determine the CO2 and pH of the samples (and optionally, dissolved oxygen). Students complete...