Curated OER
What is Climate?
Students explore the differences between climate and weather. In this introductory lesson plan of a climate unit, students discuss the vocabulary and concepts associated with weather and climate. They build their information base for...
Curated OER
Understanding Distance in Space
Young scholars discover the vocabulary used for distances in space and review measurement units and instruments before creating a scale model of the planets. They determine how to calculate the relative distances between the planets...
Curated OER
Weathering
Second graders explore weathering and how the water cycle plays a part in weathering. For this weathering lesson, 2nd graders put gravel and sugar cubes in a jar and shake, simulating weathering. Students use the scientific method...
Curated OER
Water Quality: Water Filtration
Students build a water filtration system. In this water quality lesson plan, students work in groups to construct water filtration units that can purify contaminated water. This lesson plan is part of a larger unit on water quality.
Curated OER
Water filtration with Plants
Sixth graders explain how soil and plants effect contaminated water in nature. In this filtration lesson, 6th graders work in groups to test biofiltration units. Students determine which biofiltration units work best and how they...
Curated OER
Oil Spill Cleanup
Students participate in an oil spill simulation and how to clean it up. For this oil spill lesson plan, students also calculate the cost of the clean up of an oil spill.
Curated OER
Ecological Impact of River Dams
Students investigate their environment by completing an in-class experiment. For this ecological lesson, students define the roles of dams and how electricity is created by them. Students utilize plastic jugs, sand and tap...
Curated OER
Central Park Field Trip
Students visit the park to observe signs of spring in the forest and pond environments. In this field trip lesson, students explore the park for various items
Curated OER
Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation with Simple Machines
First graders engage in a lesson that is about Newton's Laws Of Gravitation while conducting research in order to perform an information search. They sing a song about the Law of Gravitation and play a game of Ring Around The Rosie. Then...
Curated OER
Matters of Milk and Marshmallows
Young scholars observe a teacher demonstration o classifying matter by its physical properties of shape and size. After discussing the definition of matter, students describe the state of matter. They sing a song to the tune of "Bingo."...
Curated OER
What are Rocks and Minerals? How can they help us?
Sixth graders investigate the difference between rocks and minerals. They name the three kinds of rocks (sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic) and know the differences between them.
Curated OER
Where Are All the Fish?
Students identify the problems that marine life is facing today. In this marine science instructional activity, students explain how Marine Protected Areas can help the ocean and the fish. They brainstorm ways to help in the conservation...
Curated OER
and and Ocean Views of Earth by Remote Sensing
Young scholars explain how satellites help scientists to see more than with the unaided eye and how Landsat technology works. Students identify vegetation and fire sites in the rainforest and detect erosion along rivers. They are able to...
Curated OER
Earth's Recyclers
Middle schoolers work together in groups to report on different topics related to decomposition. They answer questions and share their answers with the class. They discuss any topic that is unclear.
Curated OER
Environmental Science/Water Pollution
Learners study natural habitats, aquatic life, renewable and non-renewable resources. They discuss conservation efforts for sea otters and desert toad in this units.
Curated OER
Earth & Space Science: Holding it Together
Students estimate how many drops of water can fit onto the surface of a penny and then test their hypothesis to find out. They also experiment with bubbles.
Curated OER
Will It Rain Today or Tomorrow?
Students examine how to forecast weather. They examine the different types of weather and learn the correct vocabulary.
Curated OER
Weathering Rocks
Fourth graders investigate what natural events cause rocks to break apart and differentiate between erosion and weathering. They conduct an experiment with plaster of paris to observe why some rocks are hard and others break, and...
Curated OER
Air Engine - Air Races
Students conduct an experiment about air volume, density, and pressure. In this air lesson, students discuss air, and how it moves. They make predictions about what will happen during the balloon and string experiment. They document the...
Cornell University
Constructing and Visualizing Topographic Profiles
Militaries throughout history have used topography information to plan strategies, yet many pupils today don't understand it. Scholars use Legos and a contour gauge to understand how to construct and visualize topographic profiles. This...
Science Friday
Capturing Carbon Dioxide
Why don't we just capture carbon dioxide in the air and store it somewhere else? A hands-on lesson allows scholars to explore a complex concept. First, they will create a carbonated beverage, and then they will determine...
Curated OER
Comparing Graphs of Temperature and Radiation
Students study plots and use a Live Access Server to generate plots. In this temperature lesson students examine the process of incoming and outgoing radiation.
Curated OER
Plotting Earthquakes
Students plot earthquakes on a map. In this lesson on earthquakes, students will explore recent earthquake activity in California and Nevada. Students will plot fault lines and earthquake occurrences on a map.
Chicago Botanic Garden
GEEBITT (Global Equilibrium Energy Balance Interactive TinkerToy)
Students use the GEEBITT excel model to explore how global average temperatures are affected by changes in our atmosphere in part two of this series of seven lessons. Working in groups, they discuss, analyze graphs, and enter data to...