Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interpreting Aerial Photographs

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students interpret aerial photographs. They view aerial photographs or satellite-produced images to locate and identify physical and human features. They study satellite images and label their images for bodies of water, clouds,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Intro to Civil Engineering and Hydrology

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students identify the processes involved in the water cycle. In this math lesson, students explain what civil engineers and hydrologist do. They watch a video about flooding in Texas.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Color

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine NASA's SeaWiFS Project Web site to explore how the SeaWiFS Project monitors environmental and climatic changes in the oceans and atmosphere. They answer questions and write a summary in support of continued funding for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Losing An Island

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine carbon dioxide and determine the impact of greenhouse gases on the earths spheres.  In this pollution lesson students complete a lab activity to see the impact of gases on the environment, 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Meteorology

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine the job of meteorologists. They decide which characteristics of the atmosphere that meteorologists focus on. They use local weather maps from newspapers to predict weather in their area.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Not just Gold

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students articulate a possible relationship between arsenic and gold deposits in a written statement using data to substantiate the relationship they describe. They use real data to determine the source of the arsenic in the drinking...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DAY AND NIGHT

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students use a lamp as the sun and his/her body as the earth. They rotate in different directions to explain how the earth moves around the sun. Using specific questions in their discussion, students discover the reasons for day and night.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to the Barnegat Bay Estuary

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students research estuaries. In this estuaries lesson, students discuss the differences in a bay and an ocean. Students watch a PowerPoint of the properties of the estuaries and geography of Barnegat Bay. Students complete a worksheet...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Jupiter - King of the Planets

For Students 5th - 6th
In this Jupiter activity, students read a passage about the environment and atmosphere of Jupiter. Students then answer several multiple choice questions about the passage.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Here Comes the Rain

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders help to prepare a model of the water cycle before the conduction of this experiment. They use the model in order to observe changes that happen to water when it changes states of matter.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Power, Pollution, Pros and Cons

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students review what they know about non-renewable energy, compare and contrast advantages and drawbacks of each type, such as cost of energy sources, feasibility, air pollution, water pollution, and other risks, and create table listing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mayonnaise Jar Greenhouse

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine the Greenhouse Effect, how it operates and finally allows the student to experiment using a model created in the classroom. They explain how the greenhouse effect affects the Earth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Air?

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students investigate air by participating in a class experiment. In this matter measurement lesson, students identify air as a gas which consists of mass. Students utilize a windsock or balloon to measure oxygen and explore it's true...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Nitrogen Cycle

For Teachers 5th
The nitrogen cycle is the focus of a well-designed science activity. In it, learners see that plants and animals produce waste products and decompose after death. Many of the waste products include nitrogen which is absobed by other...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fallout!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students plot the locations of fallout from two disasters that polluted much of the world's air. They plot the ash fallout from the 1980 Mt. St. Helen's eruption to see what the wind patterns in the United States look like overall. Next...
Lesson Plan
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Chicago Botanic Garden

Historical Climate Cycles

For Teachers 5th - 6th Standards
What better way to make predictions about future weather and climate patterns than with actual climate data from the past? Young climatologists analyze data from 400,000 to 10,000 years ago to determine if climate has changed over...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Human Impact on the Environment

For Students 7th - 9th
In this environmental science worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle with 26 questions about human impact on the environment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Resources

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders, after brainstorming why conservation of resources is important, distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources. They make a list of different types of natural resources on the board and then sort them into two...
Assessment
Science Matters

Post-Assessment Energy

For Teachers 6th Standards
After nine lessons and activities about energy, here is the final assessment. The 20-questions include multiple choice, multiple choice with justification, short answer, answer analysis, and labeling diagrams to challenge learners.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: What Is the Carbon Cycle?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students examine the carbon cycle while identifying its sources, sinks, and release agents. Using magazines and newspapers, groups of students design collages illustrating the carbon cycle. Finally, they write responses to several...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Radio Astronomy and Radio Telescope

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students construct a simple radio telescope. In this astronomy lesson plan, students explain how this telescope works and what information it collects.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wind and Air Pressure

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students make an anemometer, barometer, and wind catcher to see how wind and air pressure are related. In this wind lesson plan, students use these tools to measure the wind speed.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Nitrogen Cycle

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate the nitrogen cycle and examine the concepts of decomposition and nitrification. Students participate in a class discussion about the creation of waste and ammonia compounds, then using nitrogen cycle cut-outs...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bats and Hot Dogs

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students identify patterns and relationships from data that is collected and solve variables.  In this investigative lesson students study ocean productivity, the nitrogen cycle and phytoplankton then answer questions.