The class studies the soil food web that includes earthworms and conduct four experiments using the crawly critters. Individuals determine whether earthworms are sensitive to light, touch, temperature, and acid.

Students explore the ecosystem by conducting a ziploc bag experiment. In this recycling lesson, students identify decomposer organisms in our environment and how they speed up the recycling process. Students utilize a ziploc plastic bag,...

An ecosystem is really just the flow of energy through many different living organisms. A study of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book leads to an environmental science activity in which learners study how various factors can affect...

Young scholars investigate temperate forest ecosystems. In this environmental lesson, students discover different forms of decomposition and its effect on the environment.

Third graders recognize and examine ecosystems. They observe and describe habitats within ecosystems and observe and identify organisms with similar needs that compete for resources.

Fourth graders see how the flow of energy through an ecosystem made up of producers, consumers, and decomposers carries out the processes of life and that some energy dissipates as heat and is not recycled.

Students classify animals based on their physical characteristics and eating habits.  For this animal identification lesson plan, students investigate the life forms shown on a Parisian ceramic basin, and discover ecosystem the...

Seventh graders discover how an ecosystem works by creating one in class.  In this Earth science lesson plan, 7th graders study vocabulary terms associated with ecosystem and read environment handouts.  Students create an...

Seventh graders create ecosystems in a jar which they observe over the course of the school year.

Seventh graders, using national parks as models, illustrate the energy flow in ecosystems. Working in groups, they use murals, flow charts, or other visual displays to record their findings. Students represent the food chains and webs...

Students write a story based on their research of the kelp forest. In this ecosystem lesson, students view a video and research the kelp forest ecosystem. They write a short story imagining the discovery of a new species in the kelp forest.

Students explore our ecosystem by researching animal eating habits. For this food chain lesson, students identify the links between predator and prey and the energy that passes between organisms based on what their diet consists of....

Fourth graders research an ecosystem and its endangered species. They create a PowerPoint Presentation, oral report, poster or a booklet based on their research. They research on the internet and in biology texts in teams of 4.

Young scholars explore the environment by building a mock ecosystem. In this rainforest analysis lesson, students define many environmental and rainforest related vocabulary terms and discuss the current status of our planet's...

Learners explore the ecosystem by reviewing scientific vocabulary terms. In this environmental awareness lesson, students identify the differences between abiotic and biotic factors and their relationship to the Earth. Learners define...

Young scholars build mine-earthworm habitats to discover their niche in them. They make predictions about what the niche looks like in a week and draw a picture of it. Students notice the tunnels in the soil and how the sand and dirt...

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...

Students explore decomposition. Students define and describe  components of the decomposition process. Students make a composter in a terrarium. Students record observations and changes weekly, drawing conclusions about the results...

Learners of many ages discuss how all organisms rely on other organisms for their survival. They construct a food web and energy pyramids, and write an informative essay about the food web that they have designed.

Students perform experiments to examine if debris float, or blow in the wind. The effects of these characteristics on the marine debris are then discussed. They determine how a material can influence what becomes marine debris.

Students investigate the different levels of the rain forest by comparing it to an apartment.  For this ecology lesson, students practice using forest related vocabulary words and complete a vocabulary data sheet.  Students...

Tenth graders create food web displays in the classroom. In this ecology lesson plan, 10th graders identify the different pollutants in the environment and their effect on organisms. They collect samples of sediments from the harbor and...

Young scholars investigate the effects of the food chain on all animals by creating a food web.  In this seafood instructional activity, students discuss energy flow and research a specific marine organism of their choice....

Seventh graders cut and paste animal pictures to create a food web and trace the path of energy. They write a paragraph explaining the importance of photosynthesis in all food webs.