Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Open Ocean, What is it and How Does it Change?

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students investigate the ocean environment. In this ocean lesson, students discover the physical properties of the ocean. Over two days, students work in small groups investigating ocean maps and creating water currents.
Lesson Plan
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Fertilizers & Grass Growth

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars design an experiment to test the effects of common fertilizers on grass growth. They write or present a laboratory report responding to their observations and consider how fertilizers may affect the soil environment.
Lesson Plan
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Hawaiian Bird Beak Adaptation

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore adaptation by participating in a lab activity. For this bird characteristics lesson, students discuss the different purposes birds have for their beaks and conduct an experiment testing which beaks collect food best....
Lesson Plan
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Dr. Climatic

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the principles that are involved in climate change.  In this environment lesson plan students view a presentation on climate change and complete a handout.
Lesson Plan
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Terrestrial Sequestration - Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students investigate how plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. In this biology lesson, students differentiate photosynthesis and cellular respiration. They discuss the important role of plants in the environment.
Lesson Plan
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How Does Evolution Work?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate how natural selection influences evolution. They complete a hands-on lab simulation of natural selection, and replicate a real experiment and examine the interplay between selection factors in a population of guppies.
Lesson Plan
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Build a Hawaiian Bird

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders make a model of a bird.  In this animal adaptations lesson, 5th graders examine how birds adapt to their environment, using Hawaiian birds as an example. Students create their own bird using adaptation paper cut outs...
Lesson Plan
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Bugging Out

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore how insects behave in their natural habitats and build dioramas to create an Insect World in their classroom. They investigate various insects and the roles they play in the environment. They write creative short...
Lesson Plan
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Stalactites And Stalagmites

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct a scientific investigation about the formation of stalactites and stalagmites. They conduct an experiment to reproduce them in the lab environment. Students make observations over a period of time in order to see the...
Lesson Plan
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Peppered Moth Simulation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the process of natural selection in peppered moths. In this natural selection lesson plan, students simulate peppered moths in environments similar to those during the industrial revolution. Students use white paper...
Lesson Plan
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Photovoltaics and Solar Energy

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners experiment with photovoltaic cells and determine the energy use of their appliances. In this renewable energy lesson plan, students calculate the energy emitted by a photovoltaic cell through an inquiry-based lab. They keep...
Lesson Plan
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Ecology of the Dump

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine which types of garbage are biodegradable and which are nonbiodegradable. They practice measuring skills, hypothesizing, taking data, and writing a lab report. Students observe the relative biodegradability of metal,...
Lesson Plan
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Living in Space

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Learners explore space science by viewing a video in class. In this astronaut lesson, students identify the living habits of astronauts by researching the NASA website and observing a space science video in class. Learners participate in...
Lesson Plan
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Bacterial growth

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore the exponential growth and decay of microbial populations in relation to the organism tolerance ranges in their environment, They observe the impact of changing variables which can affect microbial populations.
Lesson Plan
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Salt Marshes And Their Inhabitants

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students investigate the ecosystem of the salt marshes. This is done in order to develop an appreciation for this type of environment. They conduct research using a variety of resources. Students are given samples of different organisms...
Lesson Plan
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Burning Up! A Look at Global Warming

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students investigate global warming. In this global warming lesson, students watch movies about global warming, discuss problems in their local community and see how communities have changed over time. Students realize the importance of...
Lesson Plan
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Spork and Beans

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine natural selection, how it works and how it can cause microevolution.  In this evolution lesson plan students complete a lab activity that shows the effects that natural selection has on organisms.
Lesson Plan
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Structural and Behavioral Adaptations

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students participate in a role playing lab that allows students to experience how different beak adaptations play a role in the type of food the animal can eat, therefore playing a role in the survival of the species.
Lesson Plan
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Household Chemicals & the Environment

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct a laboratory experiment designed to investigate the effects of chemicals, soil quality and pollution on seed growth and plant yield. They consider how best to maximize agriculture in the long term.
Lesson Plan
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Investigative Case - Living in an Alkaline Environment

For Teachers 6th - Higher Ed
Students are shown many ways in which Mono Lake water and distilled water are different. They demonstrate that the survival of common soil bacteria declines as pH increases. Students examine the behaviors, adaptations, energy transfer,...
Lesson Plan
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Particulate Observation Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students collect samples of common dust from their homes and school for examination under a microscope. They identify the components of their samples using the provided "Atlas of Indoor Dust Particles." Pupils take samples form a variety...
Lesson Plan
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Applied Science- Built environment Lab (Trains)

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students examine transportation. In this train design lesson, students study how trains work and how to efficiently design a track by working with an electric train set. As a class they compare various types of trains and work...
Lesson Plan
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Biocomplexity Lab Activity: Measuring Turbidity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students measure turbidity and comprehend the effects of turbidity on aquatic life. They explain what a lake looks like after a heavy rainfall. Students comprehend that turbidity is a measure of the relative clarity of water.
Lesson Plan
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Biocomplexity Lab Activity: Density and Buoyancy of

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students investigate how the density of water changes the buoyancy of water. Students create a hypothesis about what will happen when placing the egg into the water.Students can research online different bodies of water (The Red Sea, The...