Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Analyzing Hurricanes Using Web and Desktop GIS

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners analyze hurricanes. In hurricanes lesson, students use the Internet and GIS to analyze hurricanes. Learners view the National Atlas of Maps to discuss the direction hurricanes move. Students study the wind and pressure fields to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Predicting the Future

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars examine how scientists predict the effects of global climate change. In this environmental science lesson, students participate in a discussion about using computer generated data to create climate predictions. Young...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dimming The Sun

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners review the meanings of global warming and global dimming. While watching a video, they take notes on different aspects of the issue. In groups, they develop a list on what can be done to reduce global dimming. They...
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Teach Engineering

Skin and the Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Though UV radiation can damage skin, it isn't all bad. The third installment in a six-part series allows the class to study the structure and function of skin. They learn about the different types of skin cancer and the SPF rating...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Solar System Vocabulary 2

For Students 3rd - 6th
In this solar system worksheet, students write vocabulary words describing the solar system next to their definitions. Students write 12 vocabulary words.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wonders of Weather

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students understand the destructive force of a tornado. They learn the role of a thunderstorm in the creation of a tornado.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Resources

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders identify renewable vs. non-renewable resources and comprehend why conservation of resources is important. They are asked what they think the words natural and resource mean. Pupils then put the words together to define...
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...
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Rain Maker

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders work in small groups with a cup each of several materials. Students layer the gravel, sand, and water into a resealable bag. They draw a picture of this bag in their water journal. Students place their sealed bags in a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Here it Comes Again

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders work in small groups with on cup each of warm and ice water. They observe the outsides of the cups. They exhale onto a small piece of mylar or mirrors and discuss the change in appearance. Students discuss where the foggy...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Meteorites

For Teachers 1st - 11th
Students model how meteors fall to the surface of planets. In this space science lesson, students identify different types of meteorites using an interactive online website. They investigate the relationship between a meteorite's size...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Air Pollution: The Issue of Global Warming

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Here is an outstanding 10-page lesson plan on global warming. Learners discover that there is a lot of controversy surrounding this topic in that the science behind global warming is difficult to prove. The best thing about this plan is...
Lesson Plan
National Wildlife Federation

It's A Bird...It's A Plane...It's...CARBON!

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
An interesting lesson takes pupils on a trip through the carbon cycle. A reading passage allows scholars to take notes and make choices about what happens to the carbon on its journey. This third lesson in a series of 21 discusses...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Hydrologic (Water) Cycle

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners construct a model of the hydrologic cycle, and observe that water is an element of a cycle in the natural environment. They explain how the hydrologic cycle works and why it is important, and compare the hydrologic cycle to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Post-Nuclear War Survival

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students use critical thinking and discussion to solve a problempresented in a hypothetical dilemma.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Suited for Space

For Teachers 5th - 8th
A fantastic lesson on survival in outer space should excite your learners! Pupils explore the challenges that living, working, and surviving in space elicit. They focus on the spacesuit itself; how it protects astronauts, and enables...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Water Cycle

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Your class sets up a mini water cycle model to examine the process. Then they watch an animation, following a water molecule through the cycle. A well-developed lab sheet guides learners through the lesson and a PowerPoint presentation...
Lesson Plan
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Chicago Botanic Garden

Historical Climate Cycles

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
Ice core samples give scientists access to climates of old—those from more than 800,000 years ago. Through an analysis of various temperature graphs from ice cores, tree rings, and weather stations, scholars compare historical climates...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Does Humidity Affect Cloud Formation?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students use S'COOL data to identify factors that affect cloud formation. They find a data set using the S'COOL database , and use Excel to manipulate the data. Student isolate relevant data, create meaningful graphs from a spreadsheet,...
Lesson Plan
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Chicago Botanic Garden

Introducing Ecosystem Services

For Students 10th - 12th Standards
Purifying air and water, providing soil in which to grow crops, and moving water through its natural cycle are all services an ecosystem provides that benefit humans. Lesson four in a series lets learners explore and discuss the value of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Conservation

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Open learners' eyes to the challenge of finding safe drinking water – something we often take for granted in our country. The PowerPoint presentation includes images, graphs, diagrams, and even a video to stimulate discussion on how we...
Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

Take the Climate Quiz

For Students 6th - 12th
Climate and weather are often confused. Pupils answer questions online to review concepts related to climate and weather changes. They get immediate feedback and additional facts with each question. The lesson is appropriate as a remote...
Lesson Plan
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NOAA

Ocean Acidification

For Teachers 9th - 12th
If tap water is more acidic than ocean water, why are we so concerned about ocean acidification? The third installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program focuses on carbon dioxide levels in...