Sixth graders use prior knowledge to create a tri-fold study guide using Microsoft Publisher (if available). They include real world examples that show balanced and unbalanced forces, kinetic and potential energy, and vocabulary. The...

Students research information about pesticides. Students discuss the history of the Mexican fruit fly. They experiment to discover malathion concentration levels in organisms. Students explore the effect of toxins at the top of the...

Students define the purpose of several different types of boats. They develop a list of materials one would ideally use in the construction of a particular type of boat. Students work cooperatively in a group to decide what type of boat...

Students explore how invasive species can change an environment. For this critical thinking lesson, students study how invasive animals can change an environments population. They will discuss the implications of an invasive species and...

Students analyze biozones and how to identify and diagram them. They also research which organisms can adapt to different biozones.

Young scholars work cooperatively in order to identify specific situations in which an almanac is the best choice for locating information. They answer specific questions, record the page on which the answer was found, and the key words...

Students, working in expert groups, study a form of energy. They plan a slide show presentation using pictures, clip art, and student taken digital pictures that show the energy type they have become experts in. They use a planning sheet...

Students examine various topics on genetics. Students explore the Internet to gather information on genetic testing, genetically engineered food, forensics, DNA and cloning. They research and determine the best way to fund each of the...

Students listen to "Heat Wave" by Helen Ketterman and discuss the story by creating a word web with heat as the main topic. They break into groups and conduct an experiment using a thermometer to record the temperature of melting ice...

Learners build a fish trap across a small stream. The purpose of the trap is to collect baseline data of Oncorhynchus kisutch, Coho salmon, smolt numbers coming out of a spring-fed pond. Other biological data also be measured.

Students work cooperatively as a team and accurately throw a Frisbee. In addition, students explore fitness components and different systems of the human body.

Students make a terrarium from common household items that are brought to class. They can be creative with materials but the method is set for how the mini-lab is set up. Students read a book about an ecosystem to stimulate the topic for...

Students study various objects and determine plastic and non-plastic.  In this creative lesson students get into groups and create a diorama to show the different properties they discovered. 

Fifth graders explore architecture of the world, uses of buildings and discuss architecture as a career. They work in cooperative groups and present their findings to the class. This activity can be expanded to include a printmaking...

Third graders examine a bag or box of soil containing items that they dig for. Their task is to become detectives to make conclusions about the area from which the items came as real archaeologists do.

Fourth graders analyze the relationship of clouds and local weather. Students also observe and record cloud data and weather conditions daily as they research different cloud types. The data is analyzed looking for trends in daily...

Young scholars explore Huntington's Disease. In this biology lesson, students read My Friend Linda and examine the ethical issues brought to light in the story. Young scholars discuss biotechnology issues and genetic testing.

Fifth graders practice using money in everyday situations. They use their addition and subtraction skills as they work in cooperative groups to solve problems involving decimals.

Students participate in a nature walk to learn about their natural environments. In this nature study lesson plan, students brainstorm a list of things to look for on their nature walk. Students go on the nature walk and locate objects...

Learners prepare for a field trip to Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and exploration of Ape Cave (see also Ape Cave Exploration). In the absence of a field trip, students become acquainted with lava tubes in general.

Students identify the different organ systems found throughout the human body. Using a model, they explain and draw the flow of blood and name the parts of the circulatory system. They create their own circulation city in which to show...

First graders participate in a study of air pressure in which the investigate if air has the strength to lift heavy objects. They work in teams to develop a hypothesis about whether air in bags would be able to lift a stack of books....

Students identify and describe local poisonous plant/animals. They compare characteristics of three local ecosystems and describe common plants from different ecosystems; comparing shapes, colors, textures, and measuring sizes.

Students study wind and its effect on weather.  In this investigative lesson students write a report on wind and weather and create a movement sequence.