More of a mini-unit than a lesson, these activities lead inquisitors through a survey of oil deposits. In the first part, they read about and view diagrams of sedimentary rock layers that trap oil. Next, they test porosity and...

What do aspirin and the willow tree have in common? Scholars of chemical synthesis engage in a fascinating reaction to make their own aspirin samples. The lab uses thin layer chromatography analysis, includes stoichiometric calculations,...

The I-STOP law was designed to regulate the distribution and tracking of prescription drugs. After reading an article about its signing and implementation, middle and high schoolers work together to come up with their own ideas for an...

A somewhat amusing assignment, this worksheet lists statements that an ancient organism may have made and asks learners to determine what geologic era that each may have lived in. It uses witty word puzzles and fill-in-the-blank-style...

Fifth graders are introduced to Earth day and study the nesting colonies of Midway.  For this Earth Day lesson students watch an online clip and see the effects our waste has on wildlife. 

The propellant needed for space explorations runs in the thousands, while paying to get the craft into orbit costs millions! In the second installment of three, two activities explore laws of conservation of energy and momentum. Using...

The first remote sensors were people in hot air balloons taking photographs of Earth to make maps. Expose middle school learners to space exploration with the use of remote sensing. Groups explore and make observations of a new...

Students explore the Forest and the vocabulary associated with it. In this Forest lesson, students take the roles of photographer and reporter to examine an area of land for evidence of past life. Students take a close-up and complete...

Learners study the history and scientific contributions of Albert Einstein. In this Albert Einstein lesson plan, students learn his history, research his scientific contributions, create a timeline of him and his work, and create a...

Twelfth graders complete a unit of lessons on the Russian Temperate Forest. They list the environmental problems associated with deforestation, conduct research, compare the Russian Taiga with other forests, create graphs, and develop an...

Students study the development of batteries. In this electrochemistry lesson, students compare the different types of batteries. They explore its applications especially in the medical field.

Students scan headlines on the Journey North News Updates each day to track the changes that spring brings as it comes to different areas of the United States.

Students observe the structures of skulls as presented in drawings, and determine which are most closely related to the skull of the mosasaur.

Students explore water located near where they live. In this map skills maritime instructional activity, students use Google Maps to find their school and the body of water closest to them. Students research the body of water and answer...

Learners watch a video to introduce the study of historical outbreaks of infectious diseases and epidemics. They create charts of diseases after reading an article and share their information as a class.

Students are introduced to the environmental hazards their community is facing. In groups, they develop a list of the ways humans have changed the Earth and how these changes have lead to environmental hazards. They record their...

Students plan an airport visit. For this Airplanes and Airports lesson, students observe the people, activity, and machinery at airports. Then students compare the characteristics of their observations at the airport. Students make...

Scholars build a compass using a needle, cork, magnet, and a water-filled cup in order to locate the magnetic north and south.

Pupils create a timeline of their lives. In this timeline lesson, students discuss relative and absolute time. They use events in their lives to create categories on a timeline. They link this lesson to geologic timelines.

Students explore the use of sundials. They observe the shadows cast by the sun and record the times at various points throughout the day. They create sundials and record the location of the shadows and the time of day. They view a...

Students use an interactive website to complete a wilderness trail adventure where they learn about Native cultures, voyagers, and the Canadian fur trade. In this interactive history lesson, students visit the wilderness classroom...

Students explore the relevance of water quality monitoring in relation to a local wetland ecosystem. They conduct standard water quality tests using wet tests and CBL calculators and probes. Student record and interpret the results.

Students examine the process of evaporation. They observe how when clay dries, the water evaporates and how the weight of the object decreases. They complete a worksheet to complete the lesson.

Students express what it would be like to launch off into outer space in a space shuttle. They include what it might feel like, look like, sound like, and any thoughts that go through their mind as they dart away from the Earth's...