Curated OER
Quadrate Lab
Students investigate tree stems and conduct an experiment on how non living factors affect living factors. In this tree stems lesson plan, students observe and record physical characteristics, and make predictions on what factors will...
Curated OER
Introducing Biodiversity
Students investigate biodiversity by creating reports with their classmates. In this ecosystem lesson plan, students utilize the Internet to research the different types of life in our environment and different locations around the...
Curated OER
Pond Ecology
Fifth graders examine pond ecology, testing how temperature affects the respiration rate of fish. They collect various living things found at a pond, and identify the animal and plant life discovered. They observe a pond community in an...
Michigan Sea Grant
Invasive Species
Learners identify invasive species to the Great Lakes and analyze their impact on the ecosystem. Using photo cards with pictures and facts, young scientists work in small groups to match invasive species with their corresponding...
Michigan Sea Grant
Food Chains and Webs
Starting with a simple food chain, young scientists interpret the difference and interrelatedness between herbivores, carnivores and producers. They answer questions related to cause and effect of food chain disruptions, including the...
Curated OER
Exploring Hawaiian Mountain Zones
Fourth graders watch a video that describes the climate and vegetation zones of Hawaii. They describe the different physical conditions that create vegetation zones from the sea to the mountains. In groups, they create an illustrated...
Curated OER
Dependence and Interdependence
Third graders explore the dependence and interdependence that plants and animals in every environment have on one another. They examine how plants and animals depend on each other for survival. Students complete a variety of experiments...
Curated OER
Please Help!
Sixth graders examine the prairie food chain while designing a rescue strategy for an endangered species. They compare their strategy to that of a professional conservation expert.
Baylor College
Digestion
Digestion is an amazing and complicated process that provides humans with the energy they need to survive. Lesson six in this series on the science of food uses sliced turkey and a meat tenderizer to demonstrate how enzymes help break...
Curated OER
Hunt for Habitats
Learners review components of a habitat and go on a hike around a pond and woods exploring different habitats and the plants and animals that use them. They examine mammal pelts and discuss the life histories, adaptations, and positions...
Curated OER
"Environmental Activism and its Components"
Students explore how an individual has power and voice in all levels of the government as well as in the making of laws that involve environmental issues and regulations. They assess the steps involved in turning a bill into law. In...
Curated OER
Design a Reef!
Here is an ambitious, but highly valuable undertaking: set up a miniature coral reef in your classroom. Young marine scientists research coral reef ecosystems and ensure all vital factors are included in their functioning model. The...
Curated OER
BEETLES: The Coming Out
Students design an experiment to test the variables involved in the hatching of the Bruchid beetle.
Curated OER
Bye-Bye Bison
Fourth graders investigate the bison's struggle for survival. They discuss the importance of bison while participating in an role playing activity showing how important the food supply and surroundings are to their survival.
Curated OER
The Water Cycle
Students develop a better understanding of the need to conserve our renewable resources. In this water cycle lesson students take notes, complete a guide sheet and illustrate the water cycle.
Curated OER
Wh0-o-o-o's Out There?
Fifth graders describe the physical features of an owl and identify survival adaptations. They Investigate an owl's niche in an ecosystem. The students participate in an interactive puzzle on the internet that helps for motivation.
Curated OER
Don't Cry Over Spilled Oil
Students study the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill while evaluating oil spill clean up activities. They discover the long term impact can have on an ecosystem by completing this experiment.
Curated OER
Sound Pictures
Students examine the components of a sonar system. In this physical science lesson students explain how multibeam and sidescan sonar systems are useful to ocean explorers. Students simulate sonar operations in an activity using a...
Curated OER
Groundwater Realities
Students review the components of the scientific inquiry method. In groups, they use the internet to research the sustainability of water resources in their community. They examine an environmental impact study, answer questions and...
Curated OER
Oh, What a Tangled Web We Weave
Fifth graders investigate the food chain by viewing video clips. In this food web lesson, 5th graders investigate populations and ecosystems by viewing a video in class as well as visiting web sites. Students utilize the Internet to...
Curated OER
Who Eats Whom in the Salt Marsh?
Seventh graders complete a virtual online salt marsh tour. In groups, they observe and identify the various types of animals found in the marsh. After categorizing the animals, they create a food web based on the animals role in the...
Curated OER
Forest Food Chains and Webs
Students explore forest ecological systems. For this ecology lesson, students classify forest plants and animals according to their ecological roles. Students play a related vocabulary guessing game. Students choose a card on which...
Curated OER
Autumn
Take a walk through the forest as the leaves change color and fall from the trees, making way for a new ecosystem cycle to cycle through. An inquiry-based lesson plan examines how the process of decomposition eliminates tons of...
Curated OER
Alien Invasions!
Students use video and Internet components, to gain an understanding of non-native invasive plants and animals and the ecological and monetary problems they cause.