Curated OER
Rotten Truth
Pupils complete activities to study decomposition. For this decomposition lesson, students work in pairs to observe a decay buffet experiment. Pupils keep compost bag journals. Students define and discuss the process of decomposition.
Curated OER
Bacteria
Students study food borne illnesses and what foods are more likely to carry them. In this investigative lesson students examine harmful bacteria.
Radford University
Trouble in the Orchard
It's no fun catching a fungus. Scholars first investigate how the seasons affect the angle of the sun and the lengths of shadows. They then apply right triangle trigonometry to determine the height of trees based on their shadows to...
Curated OER
Mycorrhiza
Students examine the symbiotic relationship between fungus and plants. In this ecosystem lesson students complete several mycorrhiza experiments.
Curated OER
Mushrooms Can Save the World
Students use mushrooms to solve problems. In this environmental instructional activity, students study how fungi have been used to combat environmental problems. Students design strategies that employ mushrooms to combat other...
Curated OER
Our Forest is Changing
Young scholars read a story and solve a problem about an unhealthy population of trees. In this forest instructional activity students study tree disease and then research it online and present what they found.
Curated OER
Classy
Students explore the classification system in this seven lessons unit. The diversity of life forms and their characteristics are examined using a microscope. Kingdoms, classes, and families are investigated.
Curated OER
Chapter 1: The Science of Biology
Provide young biologists with everything they need to excel in the study of lymphatics, the nervous system, hormones, cellular division, and more! Pupils utilize the workbook, complete with end-of-chapter assessment worksheets, to...
Curated OER
The Case of the Contaminated Maize
Environmental health learners read about an outbreak of aflatoxin poisoning with the intent to examine the stages of an epidemiologic investigation. As they read the case study, they identify where the outbreak occurred, form a...
Curated OER
Yeasts and Molds: Food Science, Bacteria, Fungi
In this lesson students will consider the characteristics and nature of yeast and molds in order to help them understand how these microorganisms affect food production.
Curated OER
Moldy Jell-O
Students design an experiment to determine the best conditions for molds growth. In this biology lesson, students collect data for a week and analyze their findings. They create a presentation and share them with the class.
Curated OER
Hand Washing
Mostly discussion, this lesson explores the importance and methods of hand washing. A few true stories of community illnesses spread by the neglect of washing hands serve as an anticipatory set. The activity is most memorable if you are...
California Academy of Science
Composting: A Scientific Investigation: California Academy of Sciences
Garbage, recycle, compost: Does it really matter where we put our trash once we are done? By making detailed observations over seven weeks, kids will see which materials break down naturally to become a healthy part of the soil, and...
Science 4 Inquiry
The Classification of Living Things
It's a classification sensation! Demystify why we classify using an inquiry activity that helps your class sort things out. Groups begin by classifying a variety of shoes before they research organisms and design their own dichotomous...
University of Florida
Unhealthy Forests and the News
Everyone knows a tree makes a sound when it falls, but what do we know about dying trees? Class members learn background information about Laurel wilt disease from a teacher-led presentation. Team members work with partners to read and...
Curated OER
Dirty Decomposers
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,...
Curated OER
Organic and Inorganic Waste
Students conduct a scientific investigation about organic or inorganic waste. In this organic or inorganic waste lesson, students create a compost heap to determine the difference between inorganic and organic waste. Students...
Captain Planet Foundation
Rotting Away
What happens at the end of a plant's life cycle? Show kids the natural way that plants show that they're decomposing, as well as the importance of compost, with a lesson about living organisms. After reading Log Cabin by Anne Schreiber,...
Science Matters
Matter Cycles — Sum It Up
Scholars become part of the cycle of matter with a reader's theater that showcases producers, consumers, decomposers, and the sun. A diagram and discussion concludes the learning experience and enhances comprehension.
National Wildlife Federation
Habitat Web
Young scientists weave together an understanding of ecosystems with this fun collaborative activity. Taking on the roles of different living and non-living elements of specific habitats, learners use a ball of yarn to create...
Curated OER
Vocabulary: Kansas Prairies
Students explore the ecosystem by reviewing scientific vocabulary terms. For this environmental awareness lesson, students identify the differences between abiotic and biotic factors and their relationship to the Earth. Students define...
Cornell University
Bacteria Take Over and Down
Bacteria outnumber all other forms of life on Earth. Scholars observe the growth of bacteria in petri dishes to understand their role in maintaining good health. Then, they observe the growth of bacteria after they introduce...
Curated OER
Cleaning Up With Decomposers
Pupils read and discuss decomposers and how they affect the environment. In this decomposers lesson plan, students also discuss how engineers use decomposers to help the environment.
Curated OER
Spud Smear
Students study various samples of microorganisms in petri dishes. For this microorganism lesson, students place various samples of items in petri dishes and observe them after several days of incubation.