Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It Is Your Fault

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this earth science worksheet, middle schoolers find the mystery word by answering the questions related to the concepts of an earthquake and relevant measurements.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Clouds: Aerosol-Cloud Interactions in a Beaker

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students observe a teacher demo on how clouds form. In this earth science lesson, students discover how cloudiness affects relative humidity. They explain the scattering of light by clouds.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Many Days Are in a Year?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create a calendar for an imaginary planet. In this earth science instructional activity, students analyze the errors on the different calendars used on Earth. They present their work in class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Volcanoes and Urban Planning

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze satellite image data of Volcan Villarica. In this earth science lesson, students identify dangerous areas surrounding the volcano. They propose a new safe location for the town.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather & Climate

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders differentiate weather and climate. In this earth science lesson, 6th graders complete a KWL chart about the two. They complete a worksheet by identifying whether a certain statement describes weather or climate.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Science: Create a Star Clock!

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students identify and use the starts to tell time just as people had for thousands of years. They identify the stars that appear to rise in the east and set in the west, and that those stars near the North Pole appear to go in circles...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather: Like It or Not!

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders investigate daily weather changes. In this earth science lesson, 2nd graders identify the different terms used to describe weather. They use the outdoor thermometer to record data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mud Splat Craters

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students simulate crater formation using mud. For this earth science lesson, students identify the features of a crater. They explain how the force of impact affect the crater's appearance.
Organizer
Curated OER

Mineral Properties

For Students 6th - 8th
In this earth science worksheet, students look at the properties that are common to identifying minerals and the types of observations one can make.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making and Mapping a Volcano

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students build a baking soda volcano model. In this earth science lesson, students identify the sequence of lava flows. They make a volcano map using their models.
Lesson Plan
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NOAA

Sediments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Calcareous ooze ... what an interesting name! The 15th installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program focuses on sediments found on the ocean floor. After viewing the slideshow lecture,...
Lesson Plan
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NOAA

Currents

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learn how ocean currents are vital to humans and marine life. The eighth installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program, focuses on ocean currents and how they affect global climate. The...
Lesson Plan
Energy for Keeps

The Energy Times

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Extra! Extra! Read all about past and present energy use in a classroom-made historical newspaper. Useful as a cross-curricular assignment between science, history, and language arts, the project is sure to get young journalists...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB)

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
How did our universe really begin? Explore the Science Big Bang Theory and Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) with this multiple activity-based lesson that demonstrates that the increase of density due to the decrease of temperatures,...
Handout
US Environmental Protection Agency

Thirstin's Wacky Water Adventure

For Students K - 3rd Standards
Make a splash with young scientists as you teach them all about water using this activity packet. Thirstin, a cartoon glass of water, walks children through the water treatment process, teaches them about different sources of water, and...
Unit Plan
Australian Government

The Great Artesian Basin

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Covering 23% of the continent and holding 64,900 cubic kilometers of water, the Great Artesian Basin is the primary source of water for much of inland Australia. Using detailed student worksheets, experiments, and case studies,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

5th Grade, Egg Droppers

For Teachers 5th
The classic "Egg Drop Activity" is described in this fine science lesson plan. Young scientists work together to design a container that will protect the eggs inside of it when dropped from a high place. Lots of good scientific...
Lesson Plan
NOAA

The Oceanographic Yo-yo

For Teachers 7th - 8th
How does chemistry help deep-sea explorers? Part four of a five-part series of lessons from aboard the Okeanos Explorer introduces middle school scientists to technologies used in ocean exploration. Groups work together to analyze data...
Worksheet
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Zombie Ants

For Students 8th - 10th
One of the creepiest and coolest natural occurrences is a great forum for data analysis and discussion! Explore the phenomenon of zombie ants, or ants infected with the Cordyceps fungus, with a series of activities and experiments....
Activity
Star Date

Astronomy Day from McDonald Observatory Solar System Scale Activity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Add a visual aid to your solar system lessons. Enthusiastic astronomers create a model depicting the nine planets and their distance from the sun. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Earth Around Us: Air, Water & Soil

For Teachers 1st - 7th
Students build an air cannon and study air mass.  In this air cannon lesson, students create and shoot an air cannon and observe what happens.  Students answer critical thinking questions about air mass and air cannons.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Surviving the Conditions

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore Earth science by participating in an environmental care activity. In this natural resources lesson, students discuss ways to protect themselves from the environment if they are ever in need of shelter in the wilderness....
Worksheet
Curated OER

Planet Earth Word Search

For Students 3rd - 4th
In this searching for the words about the planet Earth worksheet, students use the word bank to find words written from left to right, right to left, and diagonally. Students find 14 words.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Earth Sun Relationships Incorporating P.E.

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate space science by performing physical activities.  In this solar system instructional activity, 3rd graders perform a relay activitiy with their class in which they race between different "planets". ...