Chicago Botanic Garden
Historical Climate Cycles
Ice core samples give scientists access to climates of old—those from more than 800,000 years ago. Through an analysis of various temperature graphs from ice cores, tree rings, and weather stations, scholars compare historical climates...
Berkshire Museum
Backyard Rocks
You don't have to travel far to learn about rocks, just step outside, pick up a stone, and begin investigating. After taking a class walk around the school grounds collecting rocks, young scientists practice their skills of observation...
Polar Trec
Permafrost Thaw Depth and Ground Cover
The thaw depth of tundra creates a positive feedback loop with both global warming and the carbon cycle. Scholars sort photos and develop a hypothesis for ground cover and permafrost depth. Then they review the data and measurements...
Serendip
Using Models to Understand Photosynthesis
Is your class in the dark about photosynthesis? Shed some sunlight on an important biological process with a thoughtful activity. After answering questions to help determine their level of knowledge, learners work with chemical equations...
Curated OER
Gallery Walk Questions about Energy and Material Cycles
Students state the physical, chemical or biological processes associated with these environments: Pelagic ocean zone, California coat Cave, Indiana Barrier island beach, North Carolina Sand dune, Dunes National Park, Colorado Wetland and...
Curated OER
Zoo Poo
Students use Internet research to determine the amount of carbon dioxide produced per unit energy for biomass and coal. In this alternative energy lesson, students research to find out how much energy and carbon dioxide several coal and...
Serendip
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
How does energy from the sun make plants grow? Scholars move step by step through the processes that promote plant propagation during a detailed lesson. The resource illustrates ADP production and hydrolysis, then allows learners to...
Curated OER
Air Quality
Students observe air quality and monoxide data. In this air quality lesson, students draw conclusions and manipulate data from a one year period on changes in air quality.
Curated OER
Changing Planet: Permafrost Gas Leak
Pair earth scientists up to use an amazing online arctic portal mapping tool and Google Earth to analyze permafrost changes. They compare changes to data on atmospheric concentrations of methane to see if there is a correlation. Then...
Curated OER
How Cells Harvest Energy
Survey the metabolism process from respiration through the production of the ATP molecule with this seven page AP biology activity. Pupils write short answers on the lines provided and label a diagram of the cellular respiration process.
Curated OER
Citric Acid Review Activity
Students study the Krebs's cycle and understand the steps at a functional level. For this cellular respiration lesson students complete different stations then do a written assignment.
Curated OER
Tread Lightly: Low Carbon Lunch
Students create a flowchart of the carbon footprint of food from production to disposal. In this biology lesson, students brainstorm ways to reduce greenhouse gases by smart food choices. They create a blog promoting ways to eat low...
Curated OER
Weathering
Second graders explore weathering and how the water cycle plays a part in weathering. In this weathering lesson plan, 2nd graders put gravel and sugar cubes in a jar and shake, simulating weathering. Students use the scientific method to...
Curated OER
Yeast and Respiration
Students explore oxygen properties by conducting a cell experiment in class. In this respiration lesson, students discuss the process of breathing and how oxygen is inhaled before carbon dioxide is exhaled. Students utilize yeast, water,...
Curated OER
Let's Make a Compost Cake
Students create a compost cake. In this gardening and decomposition science lesson, students review and describe the "nutrient cycle." Students create a compost pile, measure and record the dimensions and temperature of the pile, and...
Curated OER
Plant Transpiration
Students conduct various experiments to investigate plant transpiration. In this biology activity, students explain how this process helps maintain the hydrologic cycle. They measure the rate of water loss in plants using a potometer.
Serendip
Using Models to Understand Cellular Respiration
Energize biologists with colorful images in an activity that captivates the imagination while demystifying the subject of cellular respiration. Participants build comprehension skills and access core content knowledge by analyzing text...
Curated OER
Can't Bayou this Water Cycle
Learners identify the stages in the water cycle. They observe a local water source and view the cycle in action. They create their own water cycle using software.
It's About Time
Environmental Impacts and Energy Consumption
As scientists prove environmental impacts of using coal as an energy resource, do you think Santa regrets giving out so much of it? Through a demonstration of acid rain, pupils learn what makes it, where it occurs, the impact of it, and...
Polar Trec
Drawing Diatoms like Ernst Haeckel
Why do scientists rely on drawings rather than just photographs of their research studies? The lesson introduces drawings of microscopic organisms and the importance of accuracy. Young artists draw organisms and learn why focus and...
Columbus City Schools
Photosynthesis and Respiration
Thirty percent of the world's oxygen is produced by rainforests found throughout the world. Seventh grade learners explore the processes of photosynthesis and respiration through 10 days of labs, manipulatives, and discussions. They...
Annenberg Foundation
Geometry 3D Shapes: Euler's Theorem
How do you get a theorem named after you? Euler knows what it takes! The third lesson of five asks pupils to use an interactive activity to compare the faces, vertices, and edges of seven different three-dimensional solids. They use...
Curated OER
Ecology
Sixth graders identify the steps of the different cycles of matter, while learning to use WP utilities.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Biomass: Biogas Generator
It's a gas. Middle schoolers build a biogas generator following the directions in this resource. After a few days of observation, they demonstrate that the gas given off by the decomposing manure is flammable. The activity concludes as...