Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Down There

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students write an essay about the coral reefs. In this oceanography lesson plan, students investigate the reef of Bonaire and compare it to reefs that are not thriving. Students then explore the differences that contribute to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Tides-Ups and Downs

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate tidal patters and the forces that cause the tides. In this tidal lesson plan, students explore and research the tides and complete 43 questions about the causes of the tides, how they are monitored and measured...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocks and Minerals

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students bring rocks and minerals from home to investigate in the classroom. In this rocks and minerals lesson plan, students observe all the rocks and minerals brought into the class and answer 7 questions about the features of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"ART ZOO 'Blacks in the Westward Movement', 'What Can You Do with a Portrait', and 'Of Beetles, Worms, and Leaves of Grass'"

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study black history, examine portraits and portrait making and create their own portraits, and  investigate their natural environment. This humanities lesson provides a text that can be used to teach lessons in black...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Size Shapes Animals

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Students investigate how size affects large and small animals differently. In this animal lesson plan, students determine how size affects different animals by constructing their own animal out of marshmallows. Once students create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recycle Lifecycle

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate the recycling process. In this recycling lesson plan, students read the article The Recycling Process After Collection and discuss the advantages of recycling. As an extension activity, students simulate the molding...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather: Piecing It All Together

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders collect, record, and analyze data using simple weather instruments and a variety of weather resources to investigate weather. They observe the teacher demonstrate how a rain gauge functions, record the weather for five...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's Hot

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine the effect of sunlight on the earth. Individually, they pick an article of clothing out of a bag and sort themselves based on the color of the shirt and whether it should be worn on a cold or a hot day. To end the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What are Igneous Rocks and How are They Formed?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Crystals form before your very eyes! What sixth grader wouldn't enjoy this lesson on igneous rock formation? Using hot Salol, junior geologists observe the crystal formation process as the material cools. This comprehensive lesson plan...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Prokaryotes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Lead your biology class on a cell-sized adventure! Emerging scientists construct models of prokaryotes, then design an experiment to properly grow a bacterial culture. They conclude the activity by viewing the culture under a microscope....
Activity
Illustrative Mathematics

Global Positioning System II

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Intricate details of a modern technology that many of us take for granted in our phones, computers (and some cars) are laid bare in a short but deeply investigative activity. The math behind a seemingly simple GPS device...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eratosthenes And Radius of the Earth

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars calculate the radius of the earth. They use the method and data suggested by Eratosthenes. They investigate the interrelationships among mass, distance, force, and time through experimental processes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Beach Erosion Investigation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners determine the effects of gentle and strong waves on beach erosion. They use a stream table to simulate a beach and sketch the beach profile after simulated waves of different sizes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Worm Weather Predicted

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners examine worm habitats. In this animal habitats lesson, students participate in a lab activity that requires them to explore the adaptations that earthworms make to their environment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Water Cycle and Global Warming

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students study the flow of water in the environment.  In this water cycle lesson students evaluate the consequences of changes in the water cycle using data. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pond Ecosystem Field Trip

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Young scholars investigate the environment by participating in a class trip. In this pond ecosystem lesson, students define a list of vocabulary terms associated with ponds such as invertebrate and metamorphosis. Young scholars attend a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stratospheric Ozone

For Teachers 12th - Higher Ed
Students explore about the structure of Earth's atmosphere and about the stratospheric ozone. They discuss how it is produced and destroyed, where it is located, why it is important, and how it is changing. Students investigate about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geologic Age

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students investigate rocks. In this geologic age lesson plan, students conduct an experiment to determine absolute age as one would for rock layers. Students graph data and problem solve using results. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Applied Science - Science and Math Post-Lab

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students use scientific tools. In this Applied Science lesson, students investigate the use of scientific tools to enhance observation and discovery. Students indicate how each tool assists scientific work.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Circle the Earth - Explore Surface Types on a Journey around Earth

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students use CERES percent coverage surface data with a world map in locating landmasses and bodies of water at Earth's Equator.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Layers of Time in the Earth

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students are introduced to the concept of stratification as a historical and geological process. Students will read about the Richard Beene archaeological site, which lies near San Antonio, Texas on the Medina River, and watch a short...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating the Compost

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils are introduced to the concept of biodegradability. In groups, they use the internet to research the types of materials that affect the process. They collect materials from their local community and develop an experiment to test...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Powering a Green Earth

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students compare and contrast renewable and nonrenewable energy. In this environmental science lesson, students discuss the importance of going green. They identify the different components in a power grid system.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Space" Investigations

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders understand the patterns of change observable on Earth as a result of the movement of the different bodies in the solar system. They identify the physical characteristics of the different components of the solar system.