Students become familiar with the structure and use of dichotomus keys. They demonstrate a comprehension of the fundamental principles of taxonomy by classifying organisms from a local ecosystem. Students are introduced to the term...

Students determine seed dispersal methods. In this life science instructional activity, students make predictions about how seeds might move, then look at seeds under micrographs or microscopes to analyze the seed coat and how this...

Students compare and contrast key skeletal differences between chimpanzees and humans: brain size, teeth, hand and thumb, trunk, pelvis, lower limb, foot and big toe. They then sort and group a set of mixed "fossil bones" of chimpanzee...

Students explore early hominid evolution as they analyze bones that share characteristics of both apes and humans. Students compare and contrast key skeletal differences between chimpanzees and humans. In groups, they sort and group a...

In this biology learning exercise, students search through the links provided on insects to identify the order to which each insect belongs. Then they write the characteristics that distinguish insects from other arthropods. Students...

Sixth graders identify the different types of vertebrate animals based upon their major characteristics, as they create collages in groups. Collages show pictures of vertebrate animals labeled with the appropriate structural...

Students receive a basis for understanding the three main classifications of rock: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. They engage in a hands-on activity designed to give them an appreciation for rocks and minerals.

Fourth graders classify living things according to similarities and differences through guided and independent activities. They place objects into groups according to their characteristics and then make a collage of living things...

Students describe visual, textural, and other physical qualities of sample rock specimens. Using compare and contrast skills, students sort and classify the specimens according to their assessments of the qualities present in each....

Fourth graders work in groups. They are given magazines. Students cut pictures of five mamals, five birds, five reptiles, five amphibians, and five fish. They place the pictures in a plastic bag. Students switch bags. They are explained...

For this dolphins and sharks comparison worksheet, students complete a web on each animal and choose from a list the attributes that fit each one. Students create a poster promoting conservation of our ocean friends.

With the descriptions of six different animal groups (amphibians, birds, fish, insects, mammals, reptiles), students match different examples of animals to their proper groups (lizard to reptiles, girl to mammals, etc). The activity...

In this vertebrates classification worksheet, 5th graders unscramble 15 words to find answers to clues. Each clue gives information about the characteristics of vertebrates.  

Third graders investigate the three states of matter and the properties of materials as they undergo physical changes. They identify examples of each type of matter, role-play atoms in solids, liquids, and gases, and conduct an...

Learners list the morphological characters used to identify the cacti in the field, and describe the associated problems in using these characters for identification. They draw the geographical ranges of the varieties of species...

Second graders examine the physical characteristics of the different states of matter. In this chemistry lesson, 2nd graders observe how matter changes from one phase to another. They classify substances according to its type of matter.

Students utilize dichotomous keys to identify trees in their schools.  In this ecological identification instructional activity, students practice creating dichotomous keys based on simple subjects such as hair color or sex of a...

Students play CD-ROM game My Amazing Human Body, and participate in relay game in Phys. Ed. where they put together skeleton on which body parts are labeled.

Second graders identify animals with each letter of the alphabet. In groups, they create a PowerPoint presentation which shows the information they have collected about each one. Using all of this information, they create an animal...

In this science worksheet, learners use basic scientific concepts to complete the series of puzzles that are intended to increase science literacy for classifying types of rocks and minerals.

Students explore the game of life which refers to what happens to a species when most of the population is gone.  In this endangered species lesson, students describe what it means for a marine animal to be endangered. Students then...

Tenth graders identify stars based on their line spectra. In this astronomy lesson, 10th graders analyze spectrograph and determine the elements present in the star. They explain the relationship between temperature and star classes.

Student explore the relationship between Hooke's Law and catapults. After exploring the four types of catapults, students use Hooke's law to determine the spring constant in a torsion powered catapult. They answer questions based upon...

This instructional activity is an investigation of soil properties, particularly texture, color and space for air and water. Student inspect soil samples found in their locale, perform several tests to determine different properties, and...