Curated OER
Water's Edge Café
Students observe water birds feeding at a local wetland, record what they see, and construct an appropriate menu for a "Waterfowl Cafe." They also play a "flocking" game.
Curated OER
Mini-Ponds
In this mini pond worksheet, students create a mini-pond ecosystem with soil, water, and plant life. Students let their ecosystem sit for a day and they observe a sample the next day. Students identify all the pond water microorganisms...
Curated OER
Predator and Prey Game
Students explore the why the balance among producers, predators and prey is necessary in order for an ecosystem to be sustained over time. Through web games and activities, they discover how each component of the food chain works to...
Curated OER
Toward a Sustainable Agriculture
Students analyze organic production systems. In this organic agriculture instructional activity, students examine key organic practices for both crop and livestock. This instructional activity includes 5 different activities, 4 critical...
Curated OER
The Gaia Hypothesis: An Approach to Problem Solving in the Environment
Learners are introduced to the Gaia hypothesis by examining a conceptual sketch. In groups, they analyze the way they can use Dewey's method for problem solving to solve problems within the environment. They are given a problem facing...
Ocean Explorer
Living with the Heat
Young oceanographers study the Submarine Ring of Fire, which is a series of deep-water volcanic vents that come up from the ocean floor. Learners take a close look at the unique ecosystems that are associated with these areas, how these...
Curated OER
Plants and Animals
Seventh graders discover the interconnectedness of plants and animals in ecosystems. In groups, they create a food web and discuss the problems when one link of the chain is broken. To end the lesson, they set up a balanced environment...
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Eyes on Dissolved Oxygen
Learn about the factors that affect the way oxygen dissolves in salt water with a chemistry lab. After studying the molecular structure of water, young scientists figure out how aeration, temperature, and organic waste affect dissolved...
University of Georgia
Land Biomes Project
Challenge scholars to research a biome and create a presentation for the producers of Survivor to choose their ecosystem for the next season's show. The materials include outlines, worksheets, and grading rubrics for individuals as well...
Curated OER
Carbon and Oxygen Cycles
Students construct their own diagrams outlining the pathway of carbon and oxygen in the atmosphere. Students explain their diagrams outlining the pathway and teacher checks for accuracy and completion.
Curated OER
Choose Your Defense: Spines, Vomit and Camouflage
Students investigate defensive mechanisms of insects and organisms. In this biology lesson, students draw imaginary caterpillars as well as imaginary parasites that will harm the caterpillar. Students utilize the Internet to discover...
Curated OER
A Walk in the Woods
Eighth graders observe and identify the different levels of the forest. In this forest zones lesson students observe, identify and name a variety of forest components and describe how humans impact the forest ecosystem.
Curated OER
Estuarine Habitats
Sixth graders study the important habitats, flora, fauna, and physical factors of coastal habitats. They compare the aquatic habitats to terrestrial habitats by researching and completing tables with the information.
Curated OER
Rainforests of Madagascar: Role Playing and Decision Making
Students examine reasons for deforestation and become familiar with Madagascar and its culture, while describing biological and abiotic components of a rainforest, and looking at aspects that must be addressed to resolve the issue of...
Curated OER
Genetic Disorders with Cultural Roots: International Insects
Pupils recognize that certain populations have specific genetic disorders that could benefit or harm them in their environment, work out punnett square problems and infer offspring probabilities from results, and provide advantages and...
Curated OER
Wetlands - Food Web Relationships
In this food web relationships worksheet, students click on the links to learn about the food web relationships in the wetlands and answer short answer questions about it. Students complete 8 questions total.
Curated OER
Food Web Relationships
In this food web worksheet, students create a food web matrix and answer short answer questions about the food chain according to the matrix. Students complete 7 short answer questions.
Curated OER
The Portable Niche
Third graders, in groups, research animals, plants, and conditions found in ecosystems.