Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climate Change: Carbon Cycle

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore the carbon cycle. In this carbon cycle instructional activity, students discuss the four main reservoirs where carbon is stored and then discover the process through which each reservoir absorbs and releases CO2. This...
Lesson Plan
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Storms and Extreme Weather

For Teachers K - 5th
Students explore hurricanes and tornadoes by conducting an experiment. For this weather pattern lesson, students define many extreme weather vocabulary terms and discuss the relationship with static electricity. Students utilize plastic...
Lesson Plan
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Layers of the Forest- Leaf Litter

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students conduct an experiment. In this temperate forest lesson, students discuss what kind of animal life can be found in the forest. They read The Magic School Bus Meets the Rot Squad: A Book About Decomposition and complete an...
Lesson Plan
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The Journey of the Pacific Salmon

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students examine the journey of the Pacific salmon. In this salmon species lesson, students review the stages of the salmon life cycle and conduct an experiment to determine how the water and habitat changes during each stage.
Lesson Plan
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Human Anatomy - How Do We Move?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discover how blood moves around the body.  In this circulatory system lesson, 5th graders feel their pulse before and after exercise.  Students count their heart rate. Students use the scientific method to record...
Lesson Plan
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Force and Motion

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students experiment with force and motion. In this force and motion lesson, students test gravity using a variety of objects. Students rotate through a series of stations which use force, motion, friction, and inclines. Students predict...
Lesson Plan
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Winter Season

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students recognize the relationship between Earth's tilt and the Winter season. In this Winter instructional activity, students work in pairs to complete make frost and design snow goggles. Students experiment a hand lens to study the...
Lesson Plan
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Rain and Rainbows

For Teachers K - 5th
Students explore the weather system by analyzing water properties. For this precipitation lesson, students review weather related vocabulary terms and discuss how rainbows are created by light hitting droplets at the right time. Students...
Lesson Plan
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Human Anatomy -- How Do We Move?

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students create a model of the digestive system. In this human anatomy lesson the students examine features of the digestive system. The students perform an experiment.
Lesson Plan
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Aquatic Ecosystems

For Teachers K - 7th
Students study the diversity of marine life and their habitats.  For this aquatic ecosystems lesson students complete a lab activity and experiment. 
Lesson Plan
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Glacier Dynamics

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students create flubber glaciers. In this glacier dynamics lesson plan, students experiment factors that may affect glacier speed. Factors include slope, ice temperature, and basal conditions. Students develop hypothesis, conduct...
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The Aquatic Environment

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders focus on the various types of fish living in different water environments. In groups, they research the different methods used to fish and participate in experiments to determine the effects of mercury on fish, the...
Lesson Plan
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Land Plants and Algae

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students compare and contrast algae and land plants. In this plant lesson students discover what algae and land plants require for growth. The students discuss experimental design. The students experiment with different treatments of...
Lesson Plan
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Human Anatomy- How Do We Move?

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore the human anatomy. In this respiratory system lesson plan, students conduct an experiment to simulate the capacity of human lungs. 
Lesson Plan
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Biosphere II

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students continue their examination of the existence of life on Earth. In groups, they determine the role of the water cycle and other biogeochemical cycles play in keeping balance on Earth. They participate in experiments to discover...
Lesson Plan
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Man's Struggle for Environmental Preservation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the way all living things are connected to one another. In groups, they participate in experiments in which they analyze the chemical processes through the biosphere and explain the role of energy. They also brainstorm...
Lesson Plan
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Water: Our Most Important Beverage

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders complete a KWL chart on what they already know about water and what they want to know. As a class, they participate in an activity in which they discover the amount of drinkable water on Earth and are introduced to the...
Lesson Plan
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the Journey of the Pacific Salmon in the Open Ocean and Fishing

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders discuss salmon and their life cycle.  In this salmon life cycle instructional activity, 3rd graders recognize the difficulties researching the life cycle of salmon as they migrate.  Students conduct an experiment...
Lesson Plan
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Biotechnology: Drug Delivery and Diffusion

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover advances in biomedical technology such as transdermal delivery and other non-invasive procedures. In lab activities, they examine how medication is given and how molecules travel, observe electrophoresis, and conduct...
Lesson Plan
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What is Plastic?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students experiment with plastics.  In this what is plastic instructional activity, students make a simple polymer and discuss recycling.  Students identify various types of plastics. 
Lesson Plan
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Modeling Estuaries

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students create a model estuary. In this modeling estuaries lesson, students identify characteristics and mix water of varying densities. Students form a hypothesis, conduct an experiment, and analyze the results.
Lesson Plan
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Sociobiology: Heredity Factors

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine DNA replication and how proteins are synthesized from DNA codes and continue to explore the effects of genetics in additional lessons. Among the topics covered are: protein synthesis, cell chemistry, environmental...
Lesson Plan
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Seed Germination

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore plants and the scientific method. In this plant growth lesson, students follow the steps in the scientific method to perform a seed germination experiment as a whole class. Students work in a group to create their own...
Lesson Plan
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How Far Will It Roll?

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate physics by conducting an experiment.  In this gravity lesson, 3rd graders create a ramp using books and paper which they roll a marble down.  Students utilize the scientific method to predict and...