Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modeling the Rock Cycle

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the differences in sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. They discuss the rock cycle of the different formations. Students discuss how rock is formed into different shapes. They explore, predict, and create each...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reversible and irreversible changes

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students experiment with solids and liquids to find which solids will dissolve in water. This dissolution and mixtures lesson can be completed online or in class as all materials are connected to the lesson plan for both settings.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Greenhouse Gases: The Chemistry Behind the Culprits

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders investigate the effect of different gases in the atmosphere. In this chemistry lesson, 9th graders explain how these gases contribute to global warming. They suggest possible solutions to this growing problem.
Unit Plan
Illinois Valley Community College

STEM Activities for Middle School Students

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Use STEM activities within the class to provide connections to concepts. The resource includes activities that range from working with buoyancy to building rockets and launching them. Other activities involve the engineering design...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sky Observations Sky & Cloud Windows

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Young scholars observe the sky and weather to gather data. They conduct experiments to answer questions about the sky and weather phenomena. They measure, analyze and present data. They create sky windows by gluing sky colored paint...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's So Sticky Outside That...

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the phases of the water cycle and water's different forms it can have. They work in groups to create pantomimes to illustrate the water cycle to their classmates.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Up, Up, and Away

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Young scholars create a model to explore the water cycle. Students also perform different experiments to witness water changing from a liquid to a gas. Young scholars are asked to if they can find ways for water to go away without...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make it Rain!

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars describe how water exists on earth in three states. They trace the path that rain water follows after it falls. Students describe various forms that water takes on the earth's surface and conditions under which they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Earth's Materials

For Teachers 1st
First graders compare and contrast water from different sources. After collecting water from various sources, 1st graders create a list of observable properties of the water. Students then pour the water into a filter and observe the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Environment: How'd That Pollution Get There?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine how global wind and water patterns aid in the spread of worldwide pollution. In groups, they read articles about the domino effect of pollution and create posters displaying its journey. On blank world maps, students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life Cycles

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate the stages of animal life cycles. They examine an egg and compare it to an inanimate object, read a booklet about the life cycle and define key vocabulary terms, and observe a mealworm. Students then design a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water-Holding Capacity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students design and conduct an experiment to compare the water-holding capacity of sand, soil, and moss. They measure the change in weight for each material after adding the same amount of water to each material.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mosquito Life Cycles

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers gather mosquito eggs to record the mosquito life cycle using drawings, descriptions, and any other appropriate means. In small groups, they analyze and describe the process of complete metamorphosis. They classify...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Testing Your Water

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars perform several water quality tests on groundwater from their area. They use test strips to determine the pH, hardness, alkalinity, nitrates, iron and chloride levels.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planting Seeds Around the World

For Teachers 1st
First graders discuss the book The Lorax and research what living things need. In this environmental lesson, 1st graders investigate how humans affect the growth of plants. Students conduct an experiment with sunflowers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climate & Atmosphere: A Global & Local Perspective

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students complete a series of activities in which they study atoms, molecules, and the presence of atmosphere. They study the water cycle and the Greenhouse Effect by investigating and completing handouts.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Hudson's Ups and Downs

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Even rivers have tides. Older elementary schoolers will discuss the Hudson River and how weather, water craft, and the ocean cause tidal fluctuation. They will examine a series of line graphs that depict tidal fluctuation, then analyze...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Dirt on Plants

For Teachers K
Students draw and label the four parts of a plant. They describe changes that are part of the common life cycle. Students follow various one and two step directions. They are asked to discuss that they can recall about plants.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

PLANT LIFE CYCLES

For Teachers K - 5th
Student learns about the life cycle of plants by watching a time-lapse video. This activity provides learners with further evidence that all living things grow and change as they progress through their life cycle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore the physical properties of water. In this water lesson, students explore water as it changes states. They observe, measure and use communication skills to describe change.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animal Life Cycles

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students participate in numerous activities to gather information about parts of the life cycle. In this life science lesson, the teacher choose from a number of activities to create or support an interdisciplinary unit about the life...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heat Loss and Gain in Physical Changes and Chemical Reactions

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students measure the heat of physical and chemical changes in reactions.  In this chemistry activity students determine at what extent changes emit or absorb heat. 
Worksheet
Curated OER

Water and the Earth

For Students 4th - 5th
In this water and Earth worksheet, students read a 2 page article on water and the Earth, name the clouds in 2 pictures and then list 4 sources of water in nature.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Pollution and Food Chains

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders study the effect of pollution in our food chains. In this plant biology lesson, 6th graders first experiment with pollution by placing a carnation in colored water. Next they use a food chain triangle to see the...