Curated OER
Water Quality and Temperature
Students evaluate the effects of temperature changes on the metabolic rate of a clam. Conclusion questions are addressed which help students to process and articulate their experiences.
University of South Carolina
Home Sweet Home
Fifth graders will research a biome (land or aquatic) and create a project (diorama, model or another idea of the student's choosing) which includes the geographic features of that biome as well as plants and animals found there and...
Curated OER
Assessing Water Quality in a Local Creek by Sampling Aquatic Macroinvertabrets
High schoolers experiment collecting macroinvertebrates from a stream and identify the specimens collected and then log in the information into a data table. From the data, they make qualitative and quantitative interpretations of water...
Curated OER
Biodiversity Debate - Stream Side Science
Role play community members who are both for and against the construction of a dam. Research the pros and cons and then hold a classroom debate. This activity ideally follows a series of stream studies, links to which are included. Use...
Curated OER
How Do Plants and Animals Change the Environment Around Them?
If you have elodea and snails in your classroom aquarium, or if you have access to a pond with these organisms, your young biologists can set up a controlled experiment to determine how certain ecosystems respond in light and dark...
Curated OER
Peek at the Chesapeake!
Students research organisms that live in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. In this science activity, students choose an organism and research how it is affected by humans. Students create a presentation of their findings.
Michigan Sea Grant
Invasive Species
Learners identify invasive species to the Great Lakes and analyze their impact on the ecosystem. Using photo cards with pictures and facts, young scientists work in small groups to match invasive species with their corresponding...
Curated OER
Plant Lifecycles
Students examine the life cycle of plants. In this plants lesson plan, students identify the various stages of plants and their parts. Students compare the life cycle of a plant with that of an animal. Activities suggested can be...
Curated OER
Precious Water: Is it a Need, a Right, or a Commodity?
Students determine whether water is a need, a right, or a commodity. In this water lesson, students investigate land and water ecosystems through activities. Students also discover water as a resource and energy source as they observe...
Curated OER
Science: Dissolved Oxygen and Water Quality Sampling
Learners perform tests to determine the level of oxygen dissolved in water. After examining a table displaying the temperature and solubility of water, they examine the three stages involved in the test. Upon completion, students explain...
Curated OER
Pond and Pond Organisms
Students explore pond ecosystems. For this pond organism activity, students will use pond water and a plastic bad in order to locate and identify freshwater organisms. The activity is designed for younger grades, but includes an...
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 lesson students complete a lab activity in groups then analyze their results.
Curated OER
Forest Food Web Activity
Learners gain knowledge of food webs and ecological interconnections in the forest, and place different life forms in their proper place in a food chain. Students appreciate the balance of nature and how humans are affected by extinct...
Curated OER
Bahamian Terrariums
Sixth graders create a Bahamian terrarium. In this Bahamian ecosystem instructional activity, 6th graders watch a PowerPoint to see Bahamian biotic and abiotic factors. They bring in 2-3 items for their terrarium.
Curated OER
Dynamic Wetlands
Students construct and observe a model of two different types of wetlands. In this wetlands lesson plan, students create a model of a wetland with constant drainage and a wetland that maintains a well-saturated soil. Students observe and...
Prince William Network
The Incredible Journey
Divide your school gym into breeding grounds and non-breeding grounds so that your zoologists can play a game simulating the seasonal migration of shorebirds. Players pick one of the included game cards and follow its directions, which...
Curated OER
Introduction to Dissolved Oxygen and Demonstration of a Simple Test Procedure
Young scholars explain the importance of dissolved oxygen in water ecosystems. They describe the aquatic oxygen cycle and the effect of water pollution on oxygen. They make observations, collect data and draw a conclusion.
Curated OER
Fish Fact Rummy
Seventh graders study and explore the base of PA game fish species and characteristics. In this cooperative learning lesson students create a fish fact game by researching information on certain species then play it.
Curated OER
Fly Tying
Students practice fly tying and explain water conservation efforts in Iowa. In this ecology, Iowa geography, and natural resources instructional activity, students identify basic equipment and material needed to fish, then tie flies....
Curated OER
Does the increased use of fertilizers effect biodiversity?
Students conduct a hands-on lab activity in which they analyze a sample of water from a local stream or pond. They introduce a fertilizer solution into the sample and analyze and describe their findings.
Curated OER
Teaching about the Effect of Photosynthesis and
Learners demonstrate the effects of photosynthesis and respiration. They decide which variables to analyze in a microcosm study. They produce a written paper, oral presentation, poster, or multi-media presentation
Curated OER
ProjectWILD Aquatic: Migration Headache
Learners explore the important factors that affect habitat quality and the associated survival of migratory water bird populations. They discuss an organisms dependency upon a variety of habitats and habitat quality. Students play a game...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Biomes
Students research different biomes and find its climate and what plants and animals that can be found in them. For this biomes lesson students search the Internet for their information and fill out a biome chart.
Curated OER
Go Fish!
Students are introduced to the culture of the Kumeyaay. Using their text, they discover how they used their native flora and fauna in San Diego. They participate in a matching game and examine the types of organisms who make their home...