Lesson Plan
BSCS Science Learning

Bscs: Chesapeake Bay Algal Blooms

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this inquiry, students engage with mapping data to determine what kind of land coverage is contributing the most to harmful algal blooms in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Click on the link for teacher resources for teaching guides and...
Lesson Plan
BSCS Science Learning

Bscs: Budburst Lilac Festival

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this Inquiry, students predict the best date to host a lilac blossom festival so that lilacs are in full bloom in the city where students live. Students are introduced to Project Budburst, a citizen science project in which volunteers...
Lesson Plan
BSCS Science Learning

Bscs: Asking and Answering Questions With Data

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This inquiry is intended to provide students with practice developing investigable questions that need data, and specifically large datasets, to be answered. Click the teacher resources link for teaching guides and student handouts.
Lesson Plan
BSCS Science Learning

Bscs: Globe at Night Dark Skies

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this inquiry, students predict the best place to stargaze in Arizona based on the brightness of the night sky. Students are introduced to the concept of light pollution and Globe at Night, a global citizen science project in which...
Lesson Plan
BSCS Science Learning

Bscs: Stocking Rivers With Trout

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This inquiry looks at fish farming and the management of trout by state environmental resource specialists in Colorado. Students will practice working with data generated from a statewide citizen science project called River Watch of...
Lesson Plan
BSCS Science Learning

Bscs: Heavy Metals in Waterways

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This inquiry focuses on heavy metals in waterways in Colorado. Students will learn about heavy metals and data collected about them from citizen scientists, and then analyze the data in tables and maps to identify possible evidence of...
Lesson Plan
Other

Bscs: Stocking Rivers With Trout

For Students 9th - 10th
In this self-directed lesson, learners use data from a Colorado citizen science program to make recommendations on the best waterways for stocking trout. A handout with everything the student needs to complete this lesson is available as...
Lesson Plan
Other

Bscs: Globe at Night Dark Skies

For Students 9th - 10th
For this self-directed lesson, students investigate what contributes to light pollution using data from locations around the globe. A handout with everything the student needs to complete this lesson is available as a PDF or Google...
Lesson Plan
Other

Bscs: Restoring Oyster Reefs

For Students 9th - 10th
In this self-directed lesson, students use data from the Chesapeake Bay estuary to determine suitable sites for oyster reef restoration. A handout with everything the student needs to complete this lesson is available as a PDF or Google...
Lesson Plan
Other

Bscs: Frog Symphony

For Students 9th - 10th
In this self-directed lesson, students use maps and graphs of data to investigate the habitats and time of year and day to hear a full chorus of frogs. A handout with everything the student needs to complete this lesson is available as a...
Lesson Plan
Other

Bscs: Frog Eat Frog World

For Students 9th - 10th
In this self-directed lesson, students will use maps and Frogwatch data to explore the natural and invasive range of the American bullfrog. A handout with everything the student needs to complete this lesson is available as a PDF or...
Lesson Plan
Other

Bscs: Budburst Lilac Festival

For Students 9th - 10th
In this self-directed activity, students use graphs and maps of lilac phenology data to determine the best time to host a lilac blossom festival in their area. A handout with everything the student needs to complete this lesson is...
Lesson Plan
Other

Bscs: Asking and Answering Questions With Data

For Students 9th - 10th
In this self-directed activity, students use graphs and maps of water quality to investigate relationships between variables to answer questions. A handout with everything the student needs to complete this activity is available as a PDF...
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Back to School: Activity Starters: Hero Elementary

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Be deliberate when inviting your student to watch a PBS KIDS show. These resources can help by adding meaningful conversation and easy activities to their experience watching Hero Elementary.
Activity
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Virtual Ballooning to Explore the Atmosphere Activity

For Students 9th - 10th
In this computer-based virtual lab, students will learn about the layers of Earth's atmosphere by launching virtual balloons to collect temperature and pressure data at various altitudes. Given a limited number of balloon flights,...
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Everyday Mysteries Fun Science Facts

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource is hosted by the Science and Technology Research Center of the Library of Congress. You are able to search the site to find answers to your science questions. The database of answers is composed of all questions asked of...
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: How Simple Ideas Lead to Scientific Discoveries

For Students 9th - 10th
Educator, Adam Savage, shares two astounding examples of profound scientific discoveries that came from simple, creative procedures: Eratosthenes' calculation of the Earth's circumference and Hippolyte Fizeau's measurement of the speed...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Bird Characteristics

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson, students will learn bird characteristics through observation and classifying activities. Indoors they will be introduced to bird study through learning about John James Audubon, followed by a basic drawing lesson to aid...
Activity
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: At the Speed of Bowling

For Students 9th - 10th
In this lab students will measure the energy of a bowling ball with vernier motion detectors. The students will calculate the energy of the ball at the beginning, mid point, and end of a bowling alley. Students will inquire about the...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Eggs and the Equinox

For Teachers 5th - 8th
In this guided inquiry activity, learners work to address the myth, "Eggs will balance on end on the equinox." Students to come up with their own procedure to test this question and perform the experiment.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Balloon Rockets in 1 D

For Teachers 9th - 10th
For this inquiry activity, learners solve a 1D motion challenge in groups. Students build their own balloon rocket from the materials provided with little guidance from the instructor. They collect data and use it to prepare a position...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Chromotography: An Open Inquiry

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
After a short demonstration on chromatography, students brainstorm ways to change the experiment, and develop a new, testable question related to chromatography.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Observations & Interpretations: Engaging Students in Classroom Experiments

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Use this method to emphasize and clarify for students the importance of differentiating between observations and interpretations, and qualitative and quantitative observations. Students will learn how a hypothesis may change as new...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating an Inquiry Approach to Germination Growth in Plants

For Teachers 6th - 8th
For this lab, students investigate the effects of a variable on the germination of a small plant. They will compare the growth of their variable to a control then write a lab report to report their findings.