+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is the Composition of Soil?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine the different components that make up soil. Using data, they identify the components of soil in their local area and discover how scientists use the soil to see how it was formed. They also describe the soil forming...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Happening Below The Surface?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine the soil composition of soil layers in their area. They collect soil samples, calculate the percentage soil water content, analyze data, and evaluate each site for future tree growth.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Retention and Soil Variation in Local Ecosystems

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students identify the differences in local soil types and the relationship between soil size and water retention. They are introduced to microenvironmental conditions in ecosystem sustainability.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Optional Laboratory: Soil Particle Size and Texture

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work together to perform experiments on different types of soil. They record the soil's pH level, color and texture. They develop hypothesis' on what they believe they will discover before beginning the experiment.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water-Holding Capacity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students design and conduct an experiment to compare the water-holding capacity of sand, soil, and moss. They measure the change in weight for each material after adding the same amount of water to each material.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sampling the Ocean Floor

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students sample goodies from an unseen ocean floor and try to accurately describe their composition. This simulation helps students explain the limitations of sampling and the problem of obtaining representative samples of sea floor...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Tri-County" Project--Ground Water

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners explore data on some of the landforms in Nebraska to distinguish between porous and nonpremeable soils. The state's groundwater is investigated.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Tri-County" Project--Ogallala Aquifer

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explore the Ogallala Aquifer in the state of Nebraska. The signs of pollution found are examined and the data classified.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nature's Recycling Program

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students identify what materials make up compost. In this science of recycling lesson, students explain the benefits of composting determine how compost is a good plant fertilizer.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seeds of Wetland Life

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students participate in several activities on seed exploration. In this biology lesson plan, students classify seeds according to their dispersal method. They explain the different adaptations plant have to disperse their seeds.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovering the Wetlands!

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students name wetland plant and animal life.  In this ecosystem lesson students go birdwatching and interpret native plants through art. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Factors Affecting Plant Growth

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine the physical and chemical factors that affect plant growth. In this biology lesson, students explain the role of hormones in plants. They investigate how competition with other plants affect their growth.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sounds of the Wetlands

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students identify the sounds of different bird calls. For this biology lesson, students create a sound map. They explain how this method is important in tracking wildlife.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Model Aquifer

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students build a model that depicts how water is stored in an aquifer. They examine ways in which groundwater can become contaminated.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biotic Factors

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students identify individual organism, a species, and a population within the study community. They identify biotic factors at the site and attempt to characterize the site's species diversity.