Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Twister: The Tornado Story

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine dangerous weather by researching tornadoes.  In this extreme weather lesson plan, students identify the states included in Tornado Alley.  Students create a virtual tornado using 2 plastic bottles.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Miracle Fish: Learning to Design an Experiment

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students develop procedures to explore the behavior of fish.  In this scientific experiment instructional activity students from a hypothesis, write a question, identify different variables and controls in their experiment. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparing Temperature, Pressure, and Humidity

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students investigate data on temperature, pressure, and humidity by downloading information from the ARM Website. Working in groups, they discover how weather impacts life in each of the ARM sites. They record weather data in their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

GM Foods: Are They Safe?

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students examine the process for testing GM foods. They research benefits and hazards of a selection of GM foods. They also create images of new labels and marketing for GM foods.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Maintaining Plant Genebanks

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the use, costs, and the need for plant gene banks. The rationale for gaining ownership over scientific information and the implications of the developing nations' reliance on biotechnology is explored in this lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using VNTR Analysis to Identify Guilt at a Crime Scene

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students collect DNA from cheek cells. They compare and contrast the processes of DNA replication and PCR. They discuss how this information can be used to determine guilt at crime scenes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Plan on HIV/AIDS

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars examine where, why, how and in what conditions HIV/AIDS exists. They examine the deadly impact this virus has had on the world and look at how to prevent the spread at home. The students also develop a greater awareness...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Colored Shadows

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students examine how humans perceive color. In this refracted light lesson plan, students explore the different ways color is seen by the human eye. Students will use colored lights and colored paper and solid objects to make additive...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bats and Hot Dogs

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students identify patterns and relationships from data that is collected and solve variables.  In this investigative lesson students study ocean productivity, the nitrogen cycle and phytoplankton then answer questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Natural Resources: Getting a Fair Share?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the impact of human behavior on key components of the environment, examine how theirn own personal decisions have added to the problem, and explore possible solutions to the current ecological crisis.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Visit the Rainforest

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders define what a tropical rain forest is, what animals and plants exist there and realize how important the tropical rainforests are to life on Earth. They work in pairs to access websites imbedded in this plan to research the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Efficiency Ambassadors

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare two products that provide the same function but require different amounts of energy.   In this energy efficiency lesson students research and demonstrate energy efficiency in action and how it applies to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

CO2: How Much Do You Spew?

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Pupils analyze the energy consumption of a household to see the amount of carbon dioxide they add to the atmosphere each year.  In this energy consumption lesson students calculate carbon emissions and discuss sources of carbon...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Quest

For Teachers K - 5th
Learners visit the Hydrology Study Site, conduct a visual survey to discover info about local land use and water quality, and document their findings by mapping the water body. They use this investigation to raise questions for further...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Walk

For Teachers K - 5th
Learners follow the appropriate sampling protocol and take two measurements of a local water source. These measurements are Transparency and Temperature. This info about local land use and/or water chemistry issues may require further...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Owns Rights to Pharmacogenetic Information?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students develop an understanding of the rationale of ownership over scientific information. They research commercial applications of DNA sequences. They analyze how to evaluate medical ethics issues.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Will Biotech Crops Solve World Problems?

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students read an online article to examine what biotechnology and agricultural biotechnology are. They answer questions and complete worksheets based on the article's information.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Tank Man

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the events surrounding the confrontation at Tiananmen Square between Chinese forces and "The Tank Man." They discover how censorship affects what the media reports and what the public learns. Students research China's...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Did the Water Go? An Investigation in Scientific Methods

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students view a teacher demonstration that prompts them to solve a problem using the scientific method. In this scientific method lesson, students guess which cup has water and are presented with a conundrum when the water does not...
Lesson Plan
PBS

America's Infrastructure: Miller Center National Discussion Debate Series

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Junior high and high school learners study infrastructure and its relationship to the current economy. They review handouts, watch a PBS clip, and review case studies in order to answer provided questions and role play over...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biochemical Cycles: Recycling Carbon and Nitrogen

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students construct flow diagrams of the carbon and nitrogen cycle processes. They identify sequences in each cycle that are affected by human impact and present their research to the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Know Your Watershed

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigate the importance and the location of their own watershed by visiting and EPA website and also work in groups to create an action plan on how to protect their local watershed.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biotechnology: An Agricultural Dilemma

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate the types of genetically modified crop plants there are and the benefits and risks of such plants. The agricultural needs in developing nations for this biological knowledge to resolve societal issues is also...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Oven

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars construct a solar oven using cardboard, duct tape, aluminum foil and other materials. They use the solar oven to cook something and keep a journal of their project.