Students experiment to define which environmental factors favor decomposition by soil microbes. They decompose carrots in dirt, weigh the carrots periodically to determine how long it takes. They look at how engineers use this type of...

Students study the aspects of a forest floor ecosystem, including decomposition, the water cycle, food webs, the needs of living things, and physical vs. chemical change over an extended period. In addition, students conduct observations...

Students explore how landfills function. In this landfill lesson, students explore the use of landfills and the decomposition process by creating a model landfill. Students discuss pros and cons to landfills and how potential problems...

Students observe demonstrations to show factors that affect rates of chemical reactions. In this rates of chemical reactions instructional activity, students investigate how catalysts, reactant concentrations, temperature and surface...

Pupils create their own compost.  In this soil lesson, students fill a bag with waste and soil, in order to create a mini compost bin. Pupils observe the baggies over a 6 week period, they record their findings and collect data on...

Students observe the difference between degradable and non-degradable wastes. They create their own landfill in a jar by adding four or five pieces of garbage and then covering it with dirt and water. They make observations on what they...

Students demonstrate effects of waste on environment and ways of reducing it, observe how much packaging goes into bag lunches each day, and survey their families to assess awareness levels and household recycling practices. Lessons all...

Students examine the similarities and differences between weathering and erosion. They participate in a lab in which they test the effects of different materials when exposed to weathering and erosion. They record their observations.

In this thermochemistry worksheet, students calculate the enthalpy of vaporization as well as the write the thermochemical expression for the production of the chemical reaction.

Students determine the percentage increase in output of solid waste in the U.S. They determine the length of time it takes for throw away items to decompose.

This slide show progresses through a comprehensive review of the grounding principles of earth science. Get down and dirty with the details of fossil fuels! Help your geologists to have a rock solid understanding of the rock cycle. The...

Students identify types of garbage that will decompose quickly and the ones that do not.  In this decomposing instructional activity students observe and record the photo degrading of six pack rings. 

In this ocean pollution instructional activity, students read the stewardship activities for ocean pollution. Students list 3 ways to help reduce pollution. Students then draw or write the items in the correct order of decomposition...

Learners put items in a plastic bag and watch the effects of composting. While completing the experiment, students answer questions and ask permission to start their own compost pile at home.

Students create a compost pile and chart changes as the materials decompose. Students draw pictures of items placed into their "landfill" and predict how and whether the item will change or not. After two weeks, students write...

Students create a compost pile and chart changes as the materials decompose. Students draw pictures of items placed into their "landfill" and predict how and whether the item will change or not. After two weeks, students write...

In this composting leftovers worksheet, students set up an experiment with food waste and soil, observing and recording the differences for two weeks.

Students create a worm bin full of fruit and vegetable scraps wit paper and observe what happens over time. In this decomposers lesson plan, students observe that the fruit and vegetable scraps become new soil.

How does your class celebrate Earth Day? If you are in need of a fun cooking activity that can fit into life science curriculum, look no further. Here is a quick and easy recipe for a bug mountain cake. It can be made in class and shared...

In this catalase worksheet, students read about how enzymes work in cells. Then students conduct an experiment to test for catalase activity in potatoes. This worksheet has 1 graph and 6 short answer questions.

Students explore chemical changes. in this lesson about the properties of chemical changes, students do experiments, observe, and record results. Students complete four experiments in order to observe chemical changes. In each experiment...

Students study the process of decomposition using lunch leftovers and soil. They complete the inquiry over set periods time as they observe the how composting takes place and finally, they sort the materials into biodegradable,...

Students examine the decomposition process. They create their own class compost pile and record their observations. They discover which materials decompose at a different rate.