Curated OER
New Creations from Six Simple Machines
Middle schoolers explore different types of simple machines and research the concepts of force, effort, and work. They conduct Internet research and complete a worksheet about examples of simple machines used in everyday life. Students...
Curated OER
Building A Bug Bungalow
Students chart how milkweed bugs grow and change. In this growth and life stages activity, students read two stories and discuss how and why things grow. Students brainstorm what can be measured about humans, review and...
Curated OER
Dr. Dirt's Archaeology Lab Artifact Analysis
Students simulate analyzing artifacts in archaeological lab by using real techniques that archaeologists use. Students practice measuring skills, drawing, writing, and brainstorming, and make inferences based on evidence.
Curated OER
One Giant Leap
Students brainstorm important scientific advancements of the twentieth century. They examine the implications of the completion of the first rough draft of the human genome on society. They research a selected scientific advancement of...
Curated OER
Vocabulary Bursting with Energy
Students review key physics terms using a Visual Thesaurus. For this science lesson, student groups compete against each other to correctly identify "imposter" words from a list of related physics vocabulary terms.
Curated OER
Forests Need People
In this forests and people lesson, 3rd graders brainstorm what forests are used for, discuss forest habitats, and how human interventions have affected trees and animals that depend on the forest environment. Students read the books,...
Curated OER
Energy Divide
Fourth graders, after viewing a video on "The Future" Fossil Fuel grade, participate in an energy consumption simulation game in order to analyze how consumption, population, and choice of resource affect the availability of future...
Curated OER
Summer Bummers
Brainstorm popular summer activities and their risks after having your class read an article. They will discover the risks of sun overexposure and in groups develop public service announcements for young people. They also propose a media...
Curated OER
The Mighty Hudson Stretches its Mussels
Students brainstorm possible causes of zebra mussel migration and population expansion. They identify the key causes and effects of the disturbance of the Hudson River ecosystem and research causes and effects in the disturbances of...
Curated OER
Fin, Feathers, or Fur?
Students learn how to classify animals. In this animal characteristics lesson, students read Granddad's Animal Alphabet Book, brainstorm a list of different kinds of animals, and determine their characteristics; fur, feathers or scales....
Curated OER
Fizzies Virus
Sixth graders discover how disease spreads. In this disease control activity, 6th graders brainstorm a list of diseases and simulate how a disease spreads by using cups of hydrogen peroxide and water. Students create the "Fizzies Virus"...
Curated OER
I Went Walking
Students take pictures. In this nature walk lesson, students read I Went Walking and brainstorm a list of things they might see on a nature trail. Students take pictures of things they see on the nature trail, write a caption for each...
Curated OER
Skyscrapers
Students engineer their way through a hands-on science activity. In this architecture lesson, students examine dead loads and wind loads as they participate in the Skyscraper Challenge.
Curated OER
Healthy Heart
Students examine the functions of the heart and ways to maintain a healthy heart. In this human body science lesson, students listen to Magic School Bus Inside the Human Heart, and diagram the human heart and blood flow. ...
Curated OER
The World's Forests
Students examine the world's forests. In this forest lesson, students gain knowledge about the sustainability of forests. Students break into groups and brainstorm why forests are so important to our world. Students discuss...
Curated OER
The Phenomenon of Sound: Waves
Students explore sound waves. In this sound waves lesson, students brainstorm different sounds and how sounds move or travel. Students then create a KWL chart and work through six different lab activities to examine how sound waves...
Curated OER
The Community Forest
Fourth graders plant a tree. In this sustainable forestry lesson, 4th graders define community forest and brainstorm a location to plant a new tree on the school grounds. Students learn how to plant a tree and discuss choosing an...
Curated OER
The Book of Life
Students discuss the factors that make a good children's book. After reading an article, they explore the prevalence of science in children's literature. In groups, they research a topic and translate it into easy language for a child...
Curated OER
Environmental Issues
Students expand environmental awareness by brainstorming list of environmental issues in the world today, researching issues in small groups, and displaying their work for classmates to see.
Curated OER
Genetic Research: Decisions to be Made
Learners examine the genetics involved in the human genome. They brainstorm the advantages and disadvantages to this discovery. They research different experts opinion and write a case study which addresses an ethical dilemma.
Curated OER
Plant Observation and Morphology
Learners use plant specimens to explore how to recognize differences in plant morphology and to develop a vocabulary to describe these differences. They brainstorm: What is a plant? What parts do plants have? What is a leaf? Students...
Curated OER
Earth Rotation
Students examine the rotation of the Earth as it occurs in the 24 hour cycle. They use models of planets and the globe to make observations of movements made. Students brainstorm prior knowledge and then participate in a demonstration of...
Curated OER
Forest Fires
Students discuss the benefits and problems associated with fire. They discuss the role that fire plays in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Students brainstorm ways that fire can be harmful, such as damaging homes, communities, and...
Curated OER
Human Development
Students brainstorm about the physical, emotional, and social developmental milestones of human beings. They complete a timeline as a class that begins with birth and ends with death. Students identify whether each milestone is...