Students discover what a coral reef is and the animals that live there. In this ecosystem lesson, students act out a story with ocean organisms. They answer questions that show the interdependency of the sea animals. 

Ninth graders explore how to apply ecological analysis to cropping systems.  In this agro-ecosystem activity students study management practices including soil and fertility. 

Dinnertime on the African savanna is a highly choreographed event! Introduce young ecologists to the concept of niche partitioning through a hands-on activity. Pupils research animal behaviors and use data to develop an understanding of...

Take young naturalists on an exploration of the world's tropical rainforests with this extensive collection of lessons and activities. Whether its creating leaf and flower prints or investigating the absorption spectrum of...

Here is a chance for environmental studies classes to take a critical look at crises occurring around the globe by reading articles and viewing video clips. The human activities under scrutiny are the extraction of oil, logging, and...

Students examine terminology related to the study of volcanoes, geology, or the ecosystems that surround them. They make note of key words while reading exhibits, interpretive signs, or labels, or hearing them from each other, their...

Students explore the concept of sediment pollution. In this erosion lesson, students discuss the process of erosion and determine how sediment pollution affects animals that live in freshwater ecosystems. Students respond to questions...

Students visit a local ecosystem to survey the plants and animals present and identify interactions between organisms. They identify interactions that occur between living organisms and their ecosystem and present their ecosystem to the...

Students identify some common wetland plants. they use the scientific method of surveying the plant community to record accurate data that they observe. they cut a sample of each plant and save in plastic bags to identify and preserve...

Students observe elements of a local ecosystem and gain an understanding of what elements make up an ecosystem.  In this ecosystem lesson students create a class food web that shows the interactions among the elements of the...

Students explore wetland hydrology and biology and decide whether or not to restore a wetland or retain dams and drainage systems. They examine the complexity of decisions regarding wetland restoration as well as investigate viewpoints...

Young scholars assess macro-invertebrates from a stream. For this science lesson plan, students observe, classify and identify organisms found in a stream. A lab station is constructed at the stream sight and young scholars study the...

If your upper elementary or middle school marine biology learners are going to visit an aquarium, then here is a field trip activity guide for you. It is written specifically for The Maritime Aquarium, but the idea can be adapted to...

Students identify different organisms found in the lake ecosystem. In this life science lesson plan, students discover the predator-prey relationship through a game. They explain how beavers adapt to the environment over time.

Learners are told to create a community using words or pictures. They walk outside to an area in front of the school which has a strip of grass, ditch, and corn field. Students discuss the difference between an ecosystem and a...

Students study tree identification. For this tree identification lesson, students design and assemble a tree tour booklet describing 5 trees found in their community. The booklet should feature common and Latin names of the species, a...

Many people think of bugs as annoying pests to be squashed, but most insects and spiders are beneficial, eating the actual pests or pollinating plants. After reviewing some of the common bugs in your area (they may differ from those...

Students determine how to use a quarter meter quadrant to find population density, relative density, frequency and how to calculate a diversity index while participating in a virtual field trip. They study how to establish a Correlation...

Learners visit an outdoor setting and make a mental map of what they observe. They return to the classroom and create a postcard with specified elements such as a description of the land and the ecosystem. Students illustrate the...

Students describe safe practice when doing field and lab investigations in a estuary or wetland. They create a model of an estuary and describe their value and function. They participate in field study in which they collect and analyze...

Students, through this series of lessons, use local resources, speakers, print and video materials, as well as standard text materials to study the ecosystem of the local watershed.

Students participate in an interactive lesson using the scientific method to study biodiversity.  In this insect monitoring lesson, students simulate the layers of soil and the insects that would live there. Students design...

Students study the interdependence of an ecosystem that allows it to sustain itself. They examine the Western lowland gorillas for an example.

Young scholars collect data as they identify and classify native prairie plants and insects. They create their own population study using a variety of sampling techniques to determine the population density of various species. Students...