Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Global Change- Time and Cycles

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students study trees and their growth.  In this investigative lesson students work in groups to reconstruct a 50 year climatic history using a simulated tree ring. 
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis

For Students 9th - 11th
In this cellular respiration and photosynthesis worksheet, students read through the presented material and draw an illustration of the production of ATP. Students answer several short answer questions about the production of ATP,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Does the Water Around Our School Go?

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students in groups, map quadrants of the area around the school and make predictions about the direction of waterflow and zones of accumulation that will occur when it rains. Then when it does rain they check to see if their prediction...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cloud in a bag

For Teachers K
Students relate the states of matter and clouds.  In this environment activity, students create a chart of information they know about clouds.  Students put an ice cube in a bag and tape to a window. Students watch for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Parts of an Ecosystem

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study the Great Salt lake and the ecosystem that encompasses it. They study the relationship between an individual of a species, a population of that species, a community that includes that population, and the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Interdependence of Birds and the Great Salt Lake Ecosystem

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders participate in the "Checks and Balances" game. This game lets them experience the interdependence of oragnisms specific to the Great Salt Lake. They recieved informaton about food chains, food webs, trophic levels various...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aquifers and Groundwater

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students understand the purpose of an aquifer. In this aquifer and groundwater lesson, students build a model aquifer find its relationship to water usage. Students record observations as they build the layers of the aquifer.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dirty Decomposers

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore the ecosystem by conducting a ziploc bag experiment. In this recycling lesson, students identify decomposer organisms in our environment and how they speed up the recycling process. Students utilize a ziploc plastic bag,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Sonoran Desert

For Teachers 3rd
Little learners examine a map of the southwestern United States and identify the Sonoran Desert. They locate different cities and rivers, determining whether or not each is found within this special ecosystem. A student handout is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Intro to Civil Engineering and Hydrology

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students identify the processes involved in the water cycle. In this math lesson, students explain what civil engineers and hydrologist do. They watch a video about flooding in Texas.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mini-Ecosystems

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students use plastic bottles to create terrariums and plant Venus Flytraps. They observe the plants and the terrariums for illustrations of the water cycle and species' adaptations to a specific environment.
Lesson Plan
University of Southern California

Mastering Microbes

For Students 6th - 12th
Small but mighty! Learners explore the role of microbes in a healthy ecosystem. An engaging lesson asks pupils to design an aquaponics system that demonstrates that healthy microbes are necessary to maintain the ecosystem.
Handout
National Institute of Open Schooling

Air Pollution

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Seventy percent of the air pollution in China is due to car exhaust. Under the umbrella of environmental chemistry, learners extensively explore air pollution. From the makeup of our atmosphere to sources of major air pollutants, classes...
Interactive
Learning Games Lab

Nitrogen in Pollutants

For Students 9th - 12th
Responsible farming is important for maintaining natural resources. Eager scientists complete a WebQuest to explore what happens to nitrogen when it enters the soil. They learn about the chemical makeup of nitrogen-based molecules...
Lesson Plan
Science Matters

That’s An Otter Story

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scientists discover how sea otters' habitats have changed due to human impact. Through conversation, video observation, and story reading, scholars identify how human interactions change a specific ecosystem in both positive and...
Lesson Plan
Polar Trec

Drawing Diatoms like Ernst Haeckel

For Teachers 3rd - 12th Standards
Why do scientists rely on drawings rather than just photographs of their research studies? The lesson introduces drawings of microscopic organisms and the importance of accuracy. Young artists draw organisms and learn why focus and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

AP Environmental Science-Food Fight

For Teachers 10th - 12th
The content in this lesson is of a controversial nature. Please review to make sure it is suitable for your class. A video, The Meatrix is shown to the class, and then they discuss the emotionally-charged language that it uses. They are...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geology/Earth Structure

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine the rock-soil cycle. They identify the steps and describe what happens. They also discover the three layers of soil.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Watershed Components

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the components of a watershed. They view overheads, discuss the hydrologic cycle, and observe a demonstration of a soil erosion box.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Helping Plants Grow Well

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explain the effect of water, temperature and light on plant growth.
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Gardening with Your Students

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
By growing a class or school garden you can teach students about the environment, the life cycle of a plant, and healthy eating.
Lesson Plan
Pennsylvania Department of Education

Animal Classes and Their Ecosystems

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore animal characteristics by participating in an environment identification activity. In this animal habitat lesson plan, students discuss a range of different wild life and the ecosystems that they are a part of. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make it a habitat

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider the adaptation of life forms through natural selection to fill various niches and accommodate changing environmental conditions. They select an ecosystem and conduct research to provide as much detailed information as...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fieldwork: Horizons Under Ground: Digging Through Wetland Soil

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners study the different soil types and describe the different soils in various environments.  In this soil lesson students walk to a reserve and discuss what they saw.