Curated OER
Plate Tectonics Boundaries
Young scholars discover how to create a model of tectonic plates and study the interactions of these plates as they slowly move on the asthenosphere. They see and experience what happens at each type of plate boundary and why there are...
Curated OER
Let's Start Growing
Young scholars investigate how a tree grows from a seed. In this plant biology lesson, students use potting soil, tree seeds, and a paper cup to observe seeds growing into plants. Young scholars record observations in their science...
Curated OER
Simulating the Effects of Biodegradable Wastes on Dissolved Oxygen
Students evaluate the relationship between biodegradable waste and dissolved oxygen in water. In this biodegradable wastes instructional activity students complete a lab activity in groups then analyze their results.
Curated OER
Permafrost
Students use a thermometer to analyze soil temperature data to determine which soil sample is normal, and which one is permafrost. In this permafrost lesson plan, students participate in a hands on activity where they identify the active...
Curated OER
Which Way is Up? The Tree of Life in Africa
Students read a book titled This is the Tree about a baobab tree and draw a picture and label the tree. In this tree lesson plan, students also write a paragraph explaining why they drew that tree.
Curated OER
Alternative Energy
Students discover the different alternative fuel sources. In this biology lesson, students identify the different stages of the carbon cycle. They explain the pros and cons of using alternative energy.
Curated OER
Adopt A Twig
Sixth graders explore leafless twigs and identify leaf buds. In this forest resources lesson students complete a lab activity that shows them how to identify tree and leaf identification.
Curated OER
Climate Comparison
Students explore climate regions. For this climate lesson, students examine the climate regions of Alaska as well as the state of Hawaii. Students research selected Internet sources to gather information regarding the climates present in...
Curated OER
Walking on Frozen Ground
Students listen to an Elder speak about permafrost structures in their area. In this permafrost lesson plan, students listen to the guest speaker, take a tour outside to view permafrost structures, and draw them.
Curated OER
Building a Circulation City
Students identify the different organ systems found throughout the human body. Using a model, they explain and draw the flow of blood and name the parts of the circulatory system. They create their own circulation city in which to show...
Curated OER
Understanding Distance in Space
Young scholars discover the vocabulary used for distances in space and review measurement units and instruments before creating a scale model of the planets. They determine how to calculate the relative distances between the planets...
Curated OER
There's a Watershed in my Backyard!
Students explain what the term watershed is by creating a model. For this science, geography lesson, students demonstrate how the water moves in a watershed. Additionally, students learn about point source and nonpoint source pollution....
Curated OER
Living in a Watershed
Fourth graders examine watersheds. In this ecosystem lesson, 4th graders discover what a watershed is and identify the local watershed they live in. Students investigate the attributes of a watershed as well.
Teach Engineering
Chair Design
Can you design the perfect chair? Scholars apply the engineering design process to design and build a prototype of a new type of chair from wires. They test their designs with a wooden artist model or stuffed animal.
Curated OER
Food or Fuel?
High schoolers describe the process of transesterification utilizing chemical formulas. They construct and compare models of chemical structure of the substances involved in biodiesel production such as: alcohols, alkenes, alkanes,...
Curated OER
Extinction Is Forever
Students observe models of two kinds of forests with low and high biodiversity. They observe and record the effects of habitat destruction or extinction rates. They also conduct research about mass extinction like that of the ancient...
Curated OER
Reasons for Seasons
Students investigate a model of the tilt of the Earth in its relationship to the Sun during the different seasons of the year. They study the solstices and equinoxes, while determining how sunlight hits the Earth with different angles in...
Curated OER
To Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before
Students study pictures of space vehicles and make their own space vehicle. In this space vehicle lesson, students study pictures of the vehicles and compare and contrast the pictures. Students classify the space crafts and then create...
Curated OER
Backyard Bacteria
Young scholars demonstrate safe ways to handle bacteria, prepare agar plates, and grow bacterial cultures. They identify different kinds of bacterial colonies, and devise a controlled experiment.
California Academy of Science
Tropical Belt
Where in the world is the equator? Explore a world map with your class, coloring in oceans, continents, and rainforests while locating the three major lines of latitude: the equator, Tropic of Cancer, and Tropic of Capricorn. Discuss how...
Polar Trec
Bioaccumulation of Toxins
In 2015, Peter Cook found that sea lions with high levels of exposure to toxins suffered permanent brain damage if they survived at all. Scholars learn about the accumulation of toxins at various levels of the food chain. Using...
Curated OER
Coal Formation
Learners perform an in-depth study of coal - one of most important fossil fuels. Over a three-week period of time, they become familiar with how coal is formed underground, and will create a "fossil" right there in the classroom in order...
Curated OER
Weathering and Erosion
Fourth graders take a look at the effects of weathering and other geologic activities found in the environments in which they live. Along with a guided geologic walk outside of campus, there is also an effective in-class demonstration of...
Curated OER
Prairie Math
Students work together to build models of prairie plants. Using the model, they estimate the height and then measure them using metric and standard units. They write a fraction to represent their part of the whole set and compare and...