Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Water We Drink

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders relate that the quality of their drinking water is subject to the condition of the environment and water found in streams and creeks in their community. They track the travel of a wad of paper from a student's desk to a...
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Pollution in Our Watershed

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
The concept of a how pesticides and other chemicals pass through a watershed can be difficult for younger learners to grasp without a concrete example. In the activity here, some blank paper, markers, and a spray bottle are all you need...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heart 1: Transplant

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain the workings and anatomy of the heart and to explore new medical techniques that help people live longer, healthier lives.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Giraffe Debate

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study the life, adaptations, and habitats of giraffes. They investigate the issue of giraffe survival in the wild or in a wildlife sanctuary. They conduct a class debate and present position papers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Left and Right Brains

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students research the part of the brain known as the corpus callosum. The part of the brain that connects the left and right brain, students investigate its functions and how data passes from one side to another.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make A Mummy: The Science of Mummification

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Learners research the history of mummification. They work together to create an apple mummy. They write a paragraph about what they gathered while doing the experiment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Extensions - Biology Review Unit

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students engage in a variety of activities in order to review a Biology unit. For example, they research the Bird Flu, it's history, how it is spread, what has been done about it, what better options exist for controlling or removing it....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cancer: A Crisis of the Cells

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students analyze cancer data represented in graphs and charts. They describe the changes in cell structure and function as the result of cancer. They also examine phenomenas that are believed to cause cancer.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

U.S. and Canada: How are We the Same? How are We Different?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Get high school geographers to compare and contrast Canada and the United States. They begin by drawing a freehand map of North America, then complete readings to gain insight into Canada. The text is not provided; however, another text...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Garden Springs Gardeners"

For Teachers 1st
First graders ponder the question of how plants help their lives. They observe and compare properties of several different plants. Differentiate between living organisms and nonliving objects.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eutrophication Experiments

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Observe two different water samples and write down observations. Write a paragraph which predicts the relative amounts of nutrients, nitrates, and phosphates in the water samples. Compare water samples under a microscope.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build the Tallest Building

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine the design and construction of skyscrapers. They use the internet to research information about different types of skyscrapers. They create their own building and defend it to the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovering the Structure of the Atom

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students investigate atomic and nuclear structure of matter by researching historical atomic theories. Students examine Rutherford's studies and discover that many scientific conclusions change over time as new data is collected.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Live Well Now to Live Longer Later

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders select a topic to research, completing the sentence, "Are the effects of _______ really that detrimental to one's health?" They record information in a journal, including sources of information. Students work in groups with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Virus Tracker

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders will simulate the spread of a virus such as HIV through a population by "sharing" (but not drinking) the water in a plastic cup with several classmates. Although invisible, the water in a few of the cups will already be...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Laughing Brain 1: How We Laugh

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students to rate themselves on a scale from 1 to 10 (10 being the happiest) as to how happy they feel and write their rating on a sheet of paper. They explore gelotology (the science of laughter) and its benefits to our social, mental,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shells

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders label diagrams of the 6 different classes of mollusks and explain the meaning of the labeled terms. They identify 8 common New Haven shells. They organize their own shell collection during this series of lessons.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Water Detectives

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students collect water samples from designated sampling stations, and discuss water pollution. They analyze the water samples, record the data on a spreadsheet, and present the environmental water quality data to the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Honey Bee Biology

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students review the basic parts of an insect and explore the anatomical characteristics of a honey bee. The second part of the lesson focuses on ways to identify a honey bee from other stinging insects.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

WHAT IS A CELL?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the function and structures of cells, including plant and animal cells. They explore cell parts including cell wall, ribosomes, chromosomes, nucleoid, plasmids, flagella, pilli, and plasma membrane, cel
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Diseases of the Eye

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research diseases of the eye. In this science lesson, 5th graders discuss and research eye diseases and complete a worksheet using the information they find.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Future - Nuclear Power?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students comprehend that there are risks involved with using nuclear power. They write persuasive paragraphs for and against nuclear power. Students analyze the environmental issues and risks with nuclear power.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Vital Vitamins

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students study vitamins and who should take them and what ones to take.  In this investigative lesson students plan a healthy diet after reviewing the types of supplements.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Can You Beat Jet Lag?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners examine the health condition of jet lag. Using mealworms, they test the effect of light on the development of them into adults. They answer discussion questions and examine the relationship of age and one's activity level.