Howard Hughes Medical Institute
What van Leeuwenhoek Saw
When van Leeuwenhoek saw cells and single-celled organisms for the first time, he knew these small things were a big deal! Share his discoveries with young learners through a narrated video, model-building activity, and scale study....
Curated OER
Biology: Make a Model Cell
Young scholars compare and contrast plant and animal cells and then create a model of the latter. They visit Websites to view the cells and answer questions about them. In pairs, students create cell models using plastic baggies,...
Community Resources for Science
A Whole New World of DNA and Proteins
Lead your young scientists into an exciting world as they participate in a role play and experiment focused on proteins and DNA. After researching the Central Dogma of Biology, individuals or groups participate in a classroom...
Curated OER
Heating and Cooling a Really Large Lizard
Remind your middle school scientists how fox ear size varies depending on the climate they live in; large ears allow heat loss while small ears keep heat in. Discuss how a cold-blooded animal might try to regulate body temperature. Then...
Curated OER
Build a Polyp
Students research coral polyps. In this coral polyps lesson plan, students discover the anatomy of a coral polyp and how they feed. Students create an edible coral polyp model.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Genetic Inheritance Follows Rules
Rules are not meant to be broken in genetics. Scholars learn to build Punnett squares to track the inheritance of dominant and recessive traits in an interactive animation activity. Online questions help individuals reflect on their...
Curated OER
Building a Clay Neuron
Students investigate and then build neurons in this lesson. They are examined as key parts of the brain and nervous system and seen as different from normal cells.
Curated OER
Animal and People Habitats
Students examine how animals create a unique space in which they can live. Students read a poem about animals' habitats discuss the habitats. They draw a space of their own and write a poem that describes their habitat.
Curated OER
EGG MAZE: COUNTING BY TWOS, THREES AND FIVES
Students successfully count by twos, threes and fives, using pictures of eggs and poultry as points of interest. They orally review the types of counting (twos, threes, or fives). Students are introduced the idea of a dozen eggs.
Curated OER
Science: Grade 4
Building a scientific vocabulary is important for all students and this presentation provides a list of words typical to 4th grade science curriculum. Tip: Adding images to this resource will make the vocabulary more accessible to ELLs...
Curated OER
Protein - Complete and Incomplete
The relationship between how an individual looks and feels and the nutrients he or she eats. Identify proteins (complete and incomplete), their sources, and functions in the body. National Standard 14.2.1 Define amino acids, complete and...
Curated OER
Life Underground
First graders build a terrarium in order to observe animal and plant life dynamics. In this biology lesson, 1st graders compare how organisms survive in different environments. They write their observations and analysis in their journal.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Molecules to the Max!—Teacher's Discovery Guide
Molecules to the Max! refers to a movie released in 2009 about the world of atoms and molecules. A helpful discovery guide provides five posters on science topics typically covered at the middle school level. It also explains the...
Curated OER
Egg Toss
This cross curricular lesson involves eggs. Learners read about eggs. A counting game involving an egg carton and ping pong balls (eggs) is played as students toss balls into numbered egg carton cups and adding their score. Learners...
Curated OER
Edible DNA
Learners use multicolored soft candies (gumdrops and candy orange slices) and toothpicks to create models of DNA structures. They discuss the fact that DNA must copy itself before splitting into two cells. Students demonstrate this by...
Curated OER
Coral Polyp Party
Learners complete a project where they label the parts of a coral polyp and discuss the differences between plants and animals. Students use marshmallows, sprinkles, toothpicks, and more to label their coral polyp.
Curated OER
Reading the Dna Code: Making Protein
Young scholars study DNA decoding and protein synthesis. They use the amino acid table to translate DNA, break DNA strands into three nucleotide codes, and translate nucleotides into amino acid protein codes. They research the importance...
Curated OER
Oceans in Motion
This simple lesson introduces children to basic marine life as well as to show them the necessity of protecting aquatic environments. Some famous marine life animals are introduced via vocabulary words, then children cut out pictures of...
Curated OER
Technology of the Ancient World Lesson Plans
Technology of the ancient world lesson plans can open students' eyes to the influence of early innovations.
Curated OER
Plants
Sixth graders examine how plants collect water and breathe. In groups, they participate in a variety of activities in which they discover how plants operate in terrariums. To end the lesson, they discuss why plants are important to the...
Outdoor Learning Center
Outdoor Survival
Which of the following can you survive without for the longest time: water, food, or a positive mental attitude? The answer may surprise you. Guide learners of all ages through games, activities, and discussions about surviving in the...
Curated OER
Where Are The Dinosaurs?
Students study what happened to the dinosaurs and possible causes of extinction. In this investigative lesson students create dinosaur eggs.
Curated OER
Group Initiatives
Students explore the names and qualities about members in the group. They each say their name and something about themselves. Students gather around in a circle. They listen to the teacher as he or she says the name of someone and throws...
Curated OER
Beef and Beef By-Products
Students examine the various types of beef and the many uses of its by-products. They increase their knowledge by playing a game of "beef bingo."They discuss what parts of beef animals are their by-products.