California Academy of Science
The Heat is On: Cause and Effect and Climate
The higher the number of letters in the final word for the National Spelling Bee, the higher the number of people killed by venomous spiders. Obviously, those two facts correlate, but no causation exists. Scholars view data based on...
Advocates for Human Rights
The Right to a Clean Environment in the United States
Even if a school has gone digital, chances are there's still plenty of paper being used. The three activities help scholars learn about the environmental impact of paper and another consumer products of their choosing, the issue of...
Curated OER
Teaching Controversial Science Issues Through Law Related Education
Discuss the differences in dialogue and debate when considering a controversial topic. Your class can work in small groups to complete a guided discussion of this controversial topic and then participate in a simulation of the Scopes...
Curated OER
Culture, Crisis and Population Explosion: A Deweyan Approach in the Classroom
Students read various arguments posed by John Dewey when it comes to population growth. In groups, they use magazine articles and the internet to find issues related to populations and complete experiments to identify the challenges...
Curated OER
Teaching Controversial Science Issues Through Law Related Education
A set of lessons help aspiring scientists practice the critical thinking skills required for facing controversial issues such as evolution. As a group, they discuss what controversy consists of. They compare and constrast the concepts of...
Curated OER
Human Cloning, Genetic Engineering and Privacy
Review the aspects of human cloning and the moral issues associated with it. Individually, your young scholars will keep a list of the articles related to this issue and research issues related to the ethic issues people are concerned...
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Investigative Case: The Nancy Creek Challenge
Students examine a case study of fish kill in Nancy Creek and identify the environmental conditions that favor life in a fresh water ecosystem. They work in small groups to assess the situation and gather resources from various places in...
Deliberating in a Democracy
Global Climate Change
High schoolers examine an environmental issue. In this global studies lesson plan, students read an article entitled, "Global Climate Change," and respond to the discussion questions that accompany it.
Curated OER
What's in the Water?
Students examine the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Acts. Using the text, they identify examples of how the federal and state governments implement public policy. They discuss how citizens can make sure that all levels of government...
Curated OER
Should We Allow New Mining in the Upper Peninsula?
Students compose an essay taking a position on whether or not a proposed
mine near Marquette, MI should be opened. Students defend their position addressing relevant issues through factual supporting details. Their essay includes an...
Curated OER
Ecosystems: A Home By Any Other Name
Students can learn more about the parts of ecosystems through exploration and hands on activities.
Curated OER
Alexander Graham Bell's Patent for the Telephone and Thomas Edison's Patent for the Electric Lamp
Students read a short biographical account about Bell and student B about Edison. Ask each pair to exchange information and determine what qualities these inventors shared. Ask students if they think all inventors share these qualities.
Curated OER
Conservation: California Quarter Reverse
Students examine the California quarter reverse and discuss conservation measures. They discover the concept of conservation by a snack-eating experimen and relate it to John Muir's conservation interests. After evaluating the design...
Curated OER
What Is It; Whose Is It; Where Did It Come From?
High schoolers discover which elements are most threatening to outdoor sculptures. In groups, they determine the steps that are needed to preserve them. They locate and assess the condition of those sculptures in their local community....
Curated OER
Nature, Red in Tooth and Claw
Students explore the science and art of taxidermy, and research various biomes that could be depicted in museum displays. They synthesize their knowledge by creating dioramas that depict the diverse life forms typical of these biomes.
Curated OER
Getting Animated
Pupils create a simple animation illustrating a chemical element in the periodic table. In this chemistry lesson plan, students create a new way to describe elements by using them in an artistic form.
Curated OER
Health, Hygiene, Sanitation, and Privacy
Students examine articles to find out about the relationship between sanitation and disease. In this personal hygiene and home economics lesson plan, students diagram areas for personal hygiene in their homes, read articles about...
Curated OER
Fall Lesson Plans
Fall lesson plans can combine science, history, and writing into an enticing combination.
Scientific American
Scientific American: What Is an Exothermic Reaction
Scientific American magazine, in the person of Dr. Gerald R. Van Hecke, gives a wonderfully complete answer to this question. Complete with very many hot words for additional background. And a wonderful NASA launch photo.