Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wetland vs. Stream Macroinvertebrates

For Teachers 9th - 12th
A link to a comprehensive macroinvertebrate guide gives you the information needed to prepare for this field study activity. Sample macroinvertebrates are collected from areas representing different environmental conditions. Junior...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Endangered Ecosystems

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Reading comprehension and note-taking skills are practiced as young ecologists embark on this journey. Explorers visit a website where they will read about three ecosystems that are in danger. They use interactive programs to build a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Perfect Pond Study Lesson Plan

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students take a field trip to a wetland ecosystem. An informal pond study is performed by students. They examine their favorite animal, write a description of how it moves and illustrate it. In groups, students draw pictures of organisms...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Studying a Piece of an Ecosystem

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students carry out an outdoor land study in which they identify organisms living in the soil, and any other animals living within the site. Groups also examine abiotic factors. They respond to a series of questions concerning their data...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plants and Ecosystems

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
The relationships within and between ecosystems can be explored. after examining an area for living and non-living things learners complete the same examination in the forest ecosystem. Students identify abiotic and biotic elements in an...
Lesson Plan
Science Matters

Plot Study

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Small groups investigate plots of land to discover how abiotic and biotic factors interact. After recording their findings, scholars share observations with peers and self-reflect on the learning process. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigative Case - "Malama Keone'o'io"

For Teachers 12th - Higher Ed
Students study techniques for conducting a local environmental assessment in an ecologically sensitive area. Identification of native plants and methodologies for sampling is taught in the classroom and then reinforced in the field. The...
Unit Plan
Institute for Applied Ecology

From Salmonberry to Sagebrush - Exploring Oregon’s Native Plants

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Take a deep dive into Oregon's ecosystems, plants, and changes from the past to the future. Many hands-on activities in an environmental science unit delight scholars, including creating a field guide for a local park. The in-depth study...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evaluate Ecosystems

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders conduct an environmental inventory on one ecosystem. They collect data, and write an environmental impact statement on that area. Students explain the interactions between different systems found within an ecosystem....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigative Case - "Rio Grande Wildlife Refuge"

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Learners study wildlife management as it relates to ecological principles and whole systems. They role play professional ecologists working for the fish and wildlife service to develop a plan to manage a new wildlife refuge along the Rio...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Temperate Forest : Pacific Spirit Field Trip

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students examine nurse logs with hand lenses and identify animals.  For this ecosystem lesson, students gain understanding of the rainforest by studying nurse logs.  Students become familiar with vocabulary through their study...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lynn Canyon Field Trip

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students take a field trip to Lynn Canyon. In this Temperate Forest lesson plan, students visit the Lynn Canyon. Students collect samples of leaves and water to take with them to study. Students view the samples under a microscope.
Website
American Museum of Natural History

Being a Conservation Biologist: Eleanor Sterling

For Students 6th - 12th
Eleanor Sterling responds to 21 questions posed by young learners about the challenges she faces as a woman conservation biologist. She also discusses her research of the aye-aye, an unusual animal that lives in Madagascar.
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Ecosystem In A Bottle

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Ecosystem activities show how everyone and everything is interconnected. The smallest change can make a big impact.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aquatic Organisms and Their Habitats

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the presence of specific organisms in a freshwater habitat to determine the quality of that habitat. They conduct a field study and distinguish and classify organisms found during the field study.
Lesson Plan
Science Matters

Lotusland

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
It's time for a field trip! Scholars take their new-found knowledge of adaptations and seed dispersal on a field trip to a local botanical garden. They gain an up-close look at how ecological interdependence works in a distinct...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hands on Habitat

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students teach others about habitats. In this Science lesson, students use a Science Log to record data about a habitat for research. Students analyze the data and construct an eco-chamber. Students share what they have found with other...
Lesson Plan
Moanalua Gardens Foundation

The Mystery of Rapa Nui

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
What caused the collapse of the environment on Rapa Nui (Easter Island)? Who constructed the Moai? What was their purpose? Class members assume the role of investigators and use evidence drawn from field studies, ships' logs, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecosystem Soil Study

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders take soil samples and analyze the samples and ecosystems found within them.
Lesson Plan
Captain Planet Foundation

Energy Flow in the Garden

For Teachers 4th
How can you tell what an owl has eaten? Study the food chain and flow of energy in an ecosystem by dissecting an owl pellet and noting the bones found inside. Additionally, the lesson includes a game about consumers and producers with a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Species Diversity in Ecosystems with Different Techniques of Land Management

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students visit numerous places to help in their understanding of Ecology. In this biology lesson plan, students will learn about characteristics and how to identify numerous plants and animals. This lesson allows for many field trip...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Study of Urban and Suburban Environments within the Mystic River Watershed

For Teachers 10th - 12th
High school students examine their own water-based environments, within the Mystic Watershed. As the learners engage in inquiry-based, hands-on projects, critical thinking skills and problem-solving, the project will lead them to cross...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Organisms and Their Environments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers study a local ecosystem and research the organisms to create a food web. In this ecosystem lesson, students view a video and answer questions. They visit a local ecosystem and make a list of organisms to research. High...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Please the Trees, But Not These, Please!

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Learners study trees. In this forestry lesson, students complete a variety of activities where they learn the basic parts of a tree and their functions.