Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Disappearing Water

For Teachers K - 3rd
Learners explore the water cycle. In this earth science lesson, students observe and measure water in a closed container and in an open container. Learners record their observations and compare their sets of data to draw conclusions...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Friction

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explore friction as a force that slows moving objects, explain conclusions in terms of the roughness or smoothness of surfaces, relate results to predictions, and begin to know how to plan a fair test.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Design an Island

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students explore islands. They create a two- or three-dimensional map of an island. They explain how the topography of an area influences the location of water sources, ecosystems, and human settlements. Lesson includes adaptations for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Multinational Corporation Relocation

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine and analyze the concept of why multinational corporations relocate production facilities from developed nations to less developed nations. They explore the patterns and networks of economic interdependence incorporating...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

High Mountain Retreat

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore and analyze atmospheric conditions for a high mountain retreat. They examine the relationship between altitude, atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity at a particular location. In addition, they write reports...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Extreme Weather

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students examine different types of extreme weather and how to prepare for them. In this weather lesson plan students explore different types of extreme weather and create disaster preparation posters for different types of extreme...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Principles of Flight: Where are We?

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars explore the concept of topographical maps.  In this topographical map lesson plan, students discuss how airplanes know where to fly.  Young scholars use topographical maps to simulate a field trip on the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make Your Own Compass

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore magnetism.  In this "magnets" science lesson, students make a compass with common household items and explain the relationship between what a compass does and the earth's magnetic fields.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's A Water Column Profile?

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students investigate water column data. In this earth science and seawater lesson, students determine how temperature, salinity, and density have an impact on sea water by viewing and analyzing data obtained from a number of websites....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space Science: A Scoop of Moon Dirt

For Teachers K - 8th
Students discover soil characteristics and how it is formed on Earth and the Moon by examining local samples to a lunar simulant. They replicate the effects of wind erosion by scraping dry bread with sandpaper. Students use rocks and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Salad Tray 3D Topographic Model

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the characteristics of topographical maps. They examine the relationship of contour lines and vertical elevation. Students create a three-dimensional model of a landscape represented by a topographic contour map.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Robot Explorer

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students design a robotic vehicle to explore underwater caves. In this robot technology lesson, students brainstorm, research, and report about a robotic vehicle design capable of sensing objects and taking appropriate actions to avoid...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Do You Have the Key?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students practice using a dichotomous key. In this classification lesson, students read an article about scientific exploration and identification of new species. They use a dichotomous key to identify objects and create their own key.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Outta Gas

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore practical problems that are related to scuba diving.  In this oxygen lesson students complete a lab activity. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Get Specific

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore how different species thrive.  For this speciation lesson students research and complete a lab activity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Easy as Pi

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners describe the importance of structural features that increase surface area in a coral reef habitat.  In this investigative lesson plan students quantify the impact of modifications on surface area in model habitats. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comets

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the nature and composition of a comet. They research comet facts, legends, and myths. They identify different types of comets and describe what happens to a comet as it travels closer to the Sun.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sonar Simulation

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars explore how a side-scan sonar can help locate underwater objects.  In this hands- on lesson students compare side-scan sonar and other methods used to search for underwater objects by creating their own "simulation"...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Agents of Erosion

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the agents of erosion. They observe rocks that are rough and unweathered and record observations. They investigate rocks rubbed with sandpaper and ones that are not and the effects that the sandpaper has on the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Pollution

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore the causes of water pollution. In this environmental lesson, students conduct experiments with natural filtration systems.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Are We Falling Apart? Exploding Volcanoes

For Teachers 5th - Higher Ed
Students explore how volcanoes are formed, list the parts and characteristics of volcanoes, state the differences in various types of lava, and analyze the volume of ejecta from a volcano.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Our Watershed System

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine how watershed systems are made up, and visit the Susquehanna watershed system and map out the system. They evaluate the order of watercourses in their area.
Unit Plan
Columbus City Schools

Keeping It Hot!

For Teachers 7th Standards
Hot off the presses, this collection of thermal energy activities, lessons, and printables is sure to amaze. Demonstrate how thermal energy moves about in a system using simple materials. Pupils demonstrate their understanding...
Activity
DiscoverE

Rubber Band Rovers

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Get your learners interested in space exploration. Groups design space rovers using design software and then build prototypes of their designs. The farther the rovers can travel, the better. The catch? The rovers must be powered by...