Desert regions are hotter for multiple reasons; the lack of vegetation causes the sun's heat to go straight into the surface and the lack of moisture means none of the heat is being transferred into evaporation. This concept, and other...

Many have debated which came first, the chicken or the egg, but this instructional activity debates which came first, the hydrocarbons or the carbonate reef. After a discussion on deep-sea corals, scholars receive a set of questions to...

How would you use census data from 1880-1900? Here are a set of ways you can incorporate the book Little House on the Prairie and US census data from that time period. Learners will research the validity or the book based on factual...

Climate change and weather extremes impact every species, but this lesson focuses on how these changes effect polar bears. After learning about the animal, scholars create maps of snow-ice coverage and examine the yearly variability and...

Young scholars study data about tornadoes in the United States while completing a worksheet. They develop a bar graph showing the number of tornadoes for the top ten states in the US. They find the median and mode of the data set.

Young scholars identify trends and characteristics of climate zones and specific places within. Then, they graph annual climate trends (primarily Temperature and Precipitation) and create, interpret and extrapolate information based on...

Students study a way to quantify the process of photosynthesis during a given time using the Elodea plant. They design a hypothesis that they test in the hands on activity. They compare the amounts of photosynthesis that occur during low...

Students observe and evaluate evidence of Alaska Native cultural symbols and artifacts. They research historical data from a variety of primary resources, including the Harriman expedition journals, related web sites, oral accounts,...

Students create a scatter plot for bivariate data and find the trend  line to describe the correlation for the sports teams. In this scatter plot lesson, students analyze data, make predictions,and use observations about sports data...

Middle schoolers gather information about DNA. In this biology lesson, students watch video clips of scientists discussing their contribution to the understanding of DNA, then work a puzzle correlating information to scientist. Lesson...

Students complete a project based on collecting satellite data aimed at finding connections between organisms and the environment. They create a final project working with a partner to share with the class.

Students, in groups, access data from the NASA website Live Access Server regarding seasonal cloud coverage and the type of clouds that make up the coverage. They graph the data and make correlations between types, seasons and percentages.

Students recognize modes of transportation. They research historical data from a variety of primary and secondary sources including the Harriman expedition journals, related web sites, and photographs from the expedition. Students...

Studnets, in groups, analyze data regarding genetic and nongenetic relationships of I.Q. They make observations and discuss correlations from a diagram. Cooperative learning teams discuss a given set of questions and present information...

Students use the internet to research the streams and rivers found in Illinois. Using the information, they identify and describe the rivers and streams along with the physical characteristics of a river ecosystem. They share what they...

Students make spinners to investigate rotational inertia, rotational speed, angular momentum, and velocity. They make two sets of spinners that have different mass distributions and shapes. They complete a worksheet while experimenting...

Students build mine-earthworm habitats to discover their niche in them. They make predictions about what the niche looks like in a week and draw a picture of it. Students notice the tunnels in the soil and how the sand and dirt are now...

Students research Los Angeles and its surrounding communities. They create digital presentations of the information they have gathered by answering the question included in the lesson plan.

Students explore the differences between climate and weather. In this introductory lesson of a climate unit, students discuss the vocabulary and concepts associated with weather and climate. They build their information base for the...

Pupils study how electricity is used in Utah. They create an advertising plan to educate consumers about peak cycles and energy costs for the cycling service of electricity. They present their advertising plan to the class for discussion.

First graders conduct research about farm animals and what it is like to live on a farm. They explore a variety of websites and complete an online WebQuest. They select a farm animal, and write a report about their animal's...

First graders research and observe penguins in their natural habitats. They conduct Internet research, complete a penguin WebQuest, and compile information on a selected type of penguin. Using their research information they create a...

Students discuss how the climate in their area affects they way they live their life. In groups, they identify the climate zones throughout the world and research one country of interest to them. To end the instructional activity, they...

Students research the geography and history of Los Angeles and its surrounding communities.