American Museum of Natural History
The Tree of Life
Groups of species can have more in common than meets the eye. An interactive cladogram shows some of the connections between important groups of species. Learners click on sections of the diagram to learn more about the connections or on...
California Academy of Science
Exploring Our Growing Need for Water
Pupils explore the amount of water people use in agriculture and for personal use. They compare water usage for various crops to that of raising animals before considering solutions for increased access to safe drinking water worldwide....
Curated OER
Bird Brilliance!
First graders explore natural resources and search outdoors to find materials to create a bird's nest. In this bird's natural resources lesson, 1st graders listen to a book about birds and reflect on the various things birds use to...
Curated OER
Ecology: Why Are Rice Fields Suitable Habitats for Birds?
Fifth graders discover the uses for rice by reading about the habitats of certain birds. In this agriculture lesson plan, 5th graders research birds from the Gulf Coast and California and their reasons for living in rice fields....
Curated OER
What's Bugging You?
Students examine the effects of pests on other organisms, crops, and the environment. they construct an insect observation chamber and discover how some insects can be pests in some situations and beneficial in others. They write "pest...
Curated OER
How Much Is Too Much? How Little Is Too Little?
Learners perform a series of experiments which show that plants require nutrients in certain quantities. They also cooperatively read materials on the nutrient requirements of plants, fertilizers, composting, and soil management, and...
Curated OER
The Amazing Tomato
Students gain an understanding of where our food comes from. In this plant life lesson, students review what plants need for growth and how long it takes them to grow. Students research which plants it takes to make salsa. Students then...
Curated OER
Let's Make a Compost Cake
Students create a compost cake. In this gardening and decomposition science lesson, students review and describe the "nutrient cycle." Students create a compost pile, measure and record the dimensions and temperature of the pile, and...
Curated OER
To Fish or Not to Fish?
Learners demonstrate the decision-making process for marine reserves designations. In this role-playing lesson students analyze maps and data relating to a proposed reserve. They formulate the best decisions based on overall issues.
Curated OER
Landfills: A Solid Waste Management Plan
Students are able to list the types of household waste that they produce daily. They are able to describe some other types of waste that are produced by industry or agriculture to help maintain their lifestyles. Students are able to...
Curated OER
Flowers and Plants
Students are assigned to bring five flowers. They explore flowers to distinguish different physical features of flowers. They compare and contrast different flowers to determine what features they have in common. Students develop an...
Curated OER
Genetic Engineering
Young scholars are introduced to the concept of genetic engineering. In groups, they participate in a variety of experiments, in which they analyze the effect of chemicals on different substances. Using the internet, they research...
Curated OER
The Interrelationships of Soil, Water and Fertilizers and How They Affect Plant Growth
Students examine how different nutrients in the soil and fertilizers affect plant growth. In groups, they participate in a role play in which allows them to see the interactions of humans and plants. They also read articles and record...
Curated OER
Food Safety From Food To Fork
Students are introduced to the concept of food safety. In groups, they distinguish between fact and opinion and cause and effect while participating in a board game. They write an essay about what knowledge they gained and review the...
Curated OER
Biotechnology: Monster or Miracle
Students explore biotechnology. In this scenario-based lesson, students take a survey on what they know about genetic engineering, view a PowerPoint, and conduct a web quest. Students will then be placed in groups, and produce one of the...
Curated OER
Creek Monitoring
Sixth graders conduct a variety of assessments at a local stream to determine if it is a suitable habitat for salmon. They measure temperature, tubidity, dissolved oxygen, pH levels, bacteria and nutrients. In this unit, 6th graders work...
Curated OER
Shake, Rattle & Roll
Students examine soil. In this science lesson, students examine the layers of soil. Students collect soil from various locations and separate the layers. Students record and chart their findings.
Curated OER
Conserving Resources by Watering Efficiently
Students determine a watering schedule that promotes healthy grass growth. In this plants and natural resource conservation lesson, students plant grass seed in liter bottles and follow two different schedules that include "more...
Curated OER
The Dairy Shoppe
Fifth graders research dairy farming and learn about dairy products as well as dairy processing. In this dairy lesson, 5th graders read background information about dairy farming and processing. Students discuss running a small business...
Curated OER
Eat Your Plants
Students explore fruits and vegetables. In this fruits and vegetables lesson, students work in small groups investigating plant parts. Students discover that fruits and vegetables originate from different parts of plants.
Curated OER
We Garden: My Life as a Fruit or Vegetable
Students explore agriculture by participating in a role-play activity. In this farm to fork lesson, students ask and answer questions as though they were a specific plant about to be eaten. Students write responses to critical thinking...
Curated OER
Salmon vs. Dams: The Dam Removal Debate on the Elwha River
Students use roll playing to discuss the merits of tearing down these dams so that the Elwha River can run free. The activity is presented in the form of a council meeting to encourage students to try to build consensus in finding...
Curated OER
What Do Plants Need to Grow?
Students in an ESL classroom identify the necessary requirements plants need to grow. Using Spanish worksheets, they label each part of a plant and state their function. They are given cutouts of a picture and the Spanish word in which...
Curated OER
Prune Boom
Students explore the process of harvesting and canning prunes. They discover the benefits of prunes to the Santa Clara Valley. Students investigate prunes at designated websites.