University of Minnesota
Dendritic Spines Lab
This is your brain on drugs ... literally! Your neuroscientists-in-training examine the evidence of drug use on the human brain and how neurons change their connectivity when altered by drugs. They then work together to create testing...
Curated OER
It's Not Easy Being Green
Students investigate the environmental costs of operating golf courses. In this current events instructional activity, students visit selected websites to study golf course needs and green design options.
University of Minnesota
Mirroring Emotions
Do you ever give your class the "teacher look"? Without saying a word, they become silent and engaged (hopefully). How do they know what you're thinking? Explore the concept of nonverbal communication and how it relates to our...
Curated OER
Weather and Water in Ghana
Students research the rainy and dry season to investigate Africa's weather. In this African weather lesson, students use the given websites to research the rainy and dry seasons of Ghana in Africa. Students then read stories about life...
Curated OER
The Tiger, Panthera Tigris
Students explore tigers, India's national animal, discuss importance of protecting tigers and Earth's diverse ecosytems, investigate distribution of tigers in world, identify characteristics of tigers, examine natural habitat, and...
Peace Corps
Weather and Water in Ghana
Students investigate the climate of their region. Students research statistics and conduct interviews. Students take a virtual tour of Ghana and discuss its climate. Students consider water conservation and the role it plays in both...
Curated OER
Magazine Holder
Students investigate ways to save our environment by creating a recycled product. In this sustainable materials lesson, students create a magazine holder by recycling a large cardboard box and gift wrap or wallpaper. Students...
Curated OER
Faux Fossil Fun
Elementary schoolers investigate how fossils are created by reproducing the process of creating an impression and filling it with a hardening material. The art lessons from this source are just fantastic! The lesson plan is well-written...
Curated OER
Our Family Tree
Students investigate their family heritage and plot their timeline. In this research lesson students study their family tree and forestry.
Curated OER
Needs of the Family
Learners investigate the needs that need to met in order for a family to survive and flourish.
Curated OER
Developing Civilizations and the Role of Rice
Student investigate how civilizations developed. In this rice farming lesson, 5th graders explore how rice cultivation changed through different civilizations. Students gain knowledge about different types of rice, where it's grown and...
National Endowment for the Humanities
On This Day With Lewis and Clark
Walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark as they discover the wonders, beauty, and dangers of the American frontier. After gaining background knowledge about Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase, young explorers use primary...
Curated OER
How Does Climate Affect Our Shelter Needs?
Fourth graders investigate how weather influences shelter choices. They explore the concept of insulation and discuss some traditional Native American shelters. They discuss the shelters used by the Okanogan people during the various...
Curated OER
Planting A Garden On Campus
Learners investigate the school campus area in order to plan the best spot for a class garden. They create a map of the school and research the different types of soil that exist in order to find the best spot. The class takes the...
Curated OER
This is for the Birds!
Learners complete activities to investigate wild birds. In this bird study lesson, students make a wild bird feeder to examine the proper ways to care for wild birds. Learners explore organizations in their community that help wild birds...
Curated OER
Farming in the 1930's
Students research and conduct experiments with several types of simple machines. They examine levers, pulleys, inclined planes, wheels, axles, wedges and screws and then consider the physics behind "Green Eggs and Ham".
Curated OER
What Tree is That?
Students examine leaves and the trees in their neighborhood that they came from. In this ecology lesson, students read the book, I Can Name 50 Trees Today, and discuss how a tree goes from a forest to a wood shop. Students...
Curated OER
A Day in a Life of an Arctic/Antarctic Animal
Students, through video segments, explore what types of animals live in the Arctic and Antarctica. They also clear up any misconceptions they have about penguins or polar bears.
Curated OER
Sundials: Keeping Time Like Native Americans
Students explore the use of sundials. They observe the shadows cast by the sun and record the times at various points throughout the day. They create sundials and record the location of the shadows and the time of day. They view a...
Curated OER
6 Ways to Teach About The Titanic Disaster
Teaching lessons about the Titanic disaster can be a way to get students thinking about science, social issues, and history.
Curated OER
Natural Inquirer Ecosystem Article Lesson
Students discover new ways to preserve the ecosystem by completing graphic organizers. In this environmental lesson, students read an article from the Natural Inquirer in small groups and fill out a graphic organizer based on the...