Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Start at the Very Beginning

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Learners explore ocean ecosystems. In this cross curriculum art and oceans lesson, students create a collage featuring three-finger algae using sand paper, tissue paper, and construction paper.
Lesson Plan
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Studying Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the mesosphere and lower thermosphere globally and achieve a major improvement in our understanding of the fundamental processes governing the energetics, chemistry, dynamics, and transport of the atmospheric region....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

World Wide Winds

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students recognize that global winds move in specific directions in specific latitudes and describe that in a written form. They relate the motion of the wind belts to historical navigation.
Lesson Plan
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Tanker Spills

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students predict the flow of an oil spill and depict it on a map. They explain the predicted route of the oil spill using knowledge of ocean currents in a short presentation to their peers.
Lesson Plan
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Volcanoes!

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners define what a volcano is. They discover where and why volcanoes occur. They study effects of volcanoes on the Earth system.
Lesson Plan
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Driving Currents

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars conduct a variety of investigations to see how water, heat, and salinity affect the flow of the world's ocean currents,as well as, explore many factors that affect the flow of the world's ocean currents. They also describe...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Global Climate Change

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders investigate the effect of melting glaciers to sea level. In this earth science lesson, 2nd graders simulate the process in the lab by conducting an experiment using ice cubes and clay. They explain the consequences of...
Lesson Plan
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Ocean Currents

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students examine ocean currents. In this investigative lesson plan, students examine ocean currents and the relationship between the ocean, our atmosphere, and the weather. They will create a model of an ocean current.
Lesson Plan
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Topics in Environmental Science

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers discover topics in environmental science. In this science lesson plan, students build a model to simulate the greenhouse effect and analyze and interpret data, especially the results of introducing pollutants into nature.
Worksheet
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Plasmasphere

For Students 10th - 11th
In this plasmasphere activity, students determine how long the plasmasphere takes to rotate around the Earth using two satellite images taken three hours apart.
Lesson Plan
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Weather Forecasting: From Then to Now

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders review the history of weather forecasting. In this earth science lesson, 8th graders identify the different tools used in forecasting weather. They explain why it's important to know the weather.
Lesson Plan
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SALLY RIDE

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students express what it would be like to launch off into outer space in a space shuttle. They include what it might feel like, look like, sound like, and any thoughts that go through their mind as they dart away from the Earth's...
Lesson Plan
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Building Materials

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders are presented with three rocks and a variety of tools and are asked to investigate the properties of the rocks to see which rock is best for building tables and benches for a museum picnic area.
Lesson Plan
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Inner Planets

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research characteristics of the planets and record their findings on Planet Web worksheet. They create fold paper to create a foldable booklet to display the information they discover about the planets.
Lesson Plan
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Global Warming

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine how human produced emissions of carbon dioxide contribute to global warming. Using the internet, they research the future effects of global warming on the Earth. In groups, they discover ways to reduce daily...
Lesson Plan
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Lightning

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students study lightening and the history behind how it was used for electricity.  In this electricity lesson students complete several experiments on the invention of the lightning rod.
Lesson Plan
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Ecosystems and Climate

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students examine climatic effects on ecosystems. They plant tomatoes and observe the differences in plant growth with differences in light. They create picture collages of plants, animals, and insects found in each climate of the U.S.
Lesson Plan
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Weather v. Climate

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders discuss the differences between climate and weather as a class. Using data they collected, they create a graph of the data to share with the class over a specific time period. They compare and contrast this data with...
Lesson Plan
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WATER FROM HERE TO YONDER

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify local watersheds and drainage areas by using maps and other resources. They are given copies of the water cycle. Students discuss the movement of water in the environment. They observe, record and transfer information...
Lesson Plan
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Acid and Rain and Its Effects

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students work in groups for up to three weeks to investigate the possibility of acid rain in your area and to investigate the damage that acid rain can do to buildings, monuments, and plants. Each group prepares a report to local...
Interactive
Curated OER

One Word Substitution 7

For Students 7th - 9th
In this online interactive vocabulary skills worksheet, students match the 10 vocabulary terms in the word bank to the appropriate definitions. Students may submit their answers to be scored. All of the words begin with the...
Lesson Plan
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Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica Today

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore the importance of research in Antarctica, then explain how snow becomes part of the Antarctic ice cap. They explore Antarctica's harsh environment and discover how scientists drill ice cores and what information ice...
Lesson Plan
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How Do We Know...?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify and explain how various inventions and astronomers have improved our appreciation of the universe. Students identify at least two constellations in the sky and discuss how they were used in ancient times to tell time...
Lesson Plan
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Introduce Solids

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify and interpret a variety of solid materials - cloth, wood, metal, plastic, paper, and rubber. After a period of free exploration, they then describe the properties of the objects and develop vocabulary in order to...