Virginia Department of Education
Go with the Flow
How does nature's hierarchy relate to our local human environment? Answer this question, along with others, as the class visually depicts the natural hierarchy provided by nature. Pupils discuss each piece of the pyramid and its energy...
Virginia Department of Education
Organisms in Symbiosis
Searching for an activity that allows emerging biologists to explore symbiosis up close and personal? Pupils collect samples and view lichens through a microscope and conclude with a discussion about the relationship they have with other...
Curated OER
Seeing the World Through A Different Lens
Young scholars participate in activities in which they model different disabilities. They discuss their experiences as a class. They work together in groups to discuss how to improve an adaptive device.
Curated OER
The Insect Files
Students are provided with a physical description of the insect, in words and graphics, including body parts, special adaptations, color, and so on. They explore and report on all four elements of an insect's habitat: food, water,...
Curated OER
Alligator
Students create a model of an alligator out of clay using both artwork and research to guide their finished work.
Curated OER
People Interacting with the Environment
Learners explore an arctic, temperate, and tropical environment and then decide what people need in each environment to help them live comfortably and what their lives would be like.
Curated OER
Twisted Vision
Students investigate the vision adaptations in marine animals in their environments. In this life science lesson, students use polarized filters and make observations. Students explain how the adaptation of polarized vision is an...
Curated OER
Mussel Anatomy Lesson Plan
Students identify the parts and functions of a mussel. They explain how its physical adaptations help it survive in its habitat. They label the parts as a quiz to complete the lesson.
Curated OER
The Oceanographic Yo-Yo
Learners examine how oceanographers use chemical and physical parameters of seawater to locate hydrothermal vents. In this ocean lesson students complete an activity and worksheets.
Curated OER
Staying Healthy Year Round
Students will read literature about the seasons and observe and describe the weather in each. The group will compare and contrast the activities of people during different weather conditions showing how they adapt to changes. They will...
Curated OER
Human Needs
Students investigate human needs and how they have adapted to different environments. They complete an experiment to discover the effect of stress on muscles. They use the food pyramid to create a plan for healthy eating.
Curated OER
Worm Weather Predicted
Students examine worm habitats. For this animal habitats lesson, students participate in a lab activity that requires them to explore the adaptations that earthworms make to their environment.
Curated OER
Describe the Perfect Pathogen
Young scholars develop a pathogen based upon their knowledge of pathogens and after presenting it to the class, they then suggest ways that the pathogen might be combated. Next they identify possible physical or behavioral changes in a...
Curated OER
Using Compare and Contrast to Write in Science
Fifth graders investigate and compare the behavior of magnetism using magnets. In this physics lesson, 5th graders write about the similarities and differences of a variety of magnet types.
Curated OER
Photosynthesis
Students explore the concept of photosynthesis. They describe the light and light independent reactions of photosynthesis. Students relate physical plant characteristics to their functions. They distinguish between C3, C4, and CAM plants...
Curated OER
Wh0-o-o-o's Out There?
Fifth graders describe the physical features of an owl and identify survival adaptations. They Investigate an owl's niche in an ecosystem. The students participate in an interactive puzzle on the internet that helps for motivation.
Curated OER
Surviving in Our Ecosystems
Third graders identify the characteristics of a frog and compare them to a human child. They draw and describe the best environment for a human to live in and the best environment for a frog to live in based on their physical...
Curated OER
Creating Public Awareness - Indoor Air Quality
Learners design a poster about indoor air quality. In this indoor air quality lesson, students make a billboard that tells the occupants of a building about at least one air quality problem.
Curated OER
Beaks To Survive
Students discuss and identify the types of adaptations that are made by different organisms in order for them to survive. In groups, they describe the features of beaks and discuss how it affects their chances for survival. They share...
Curated OER
Sound Pictures
Learners examine the components of a sonar system. In this physical science lesson plan students explain how multibeam and sidescan sonar systems are useful to ocean explorers. Learners simulate sonar operations in an activity using a...
Curated OER
Echo Location
Students participate in a role-playing activity that demonstrates how whales use sound as an adaptation to their environment.
Curated OER
How Long Would It Take To Travel To the Stars?
Students consider the amount of time that it would take to get to the star, Sirius using various modes of transportation, some practical and some whimsical. The practicality of physically going to another star system is explored in this...
Curated OER
Brine Shrimp Survival
Students develop an understanding of how growth and survival of an organism depends on physical conditions. They design an artificial environment in which brine shrimp can thrive. Students determine the optimum salinity for hatching of...
University of Colorado
Planetary Distances on the Playground
Earth is 149,600,000 km, or 92,957,130.4 miles, from the sun. Young astronauts create an interactive model to learn the distances between planets. Nine groups, each representing a different planet, are spread around at class-calculated...