University of Colorado
Patterns and Fingerprints
Human fingerprint patterns are the result of layers of skin growing at different paces, thus causing the layers to pull on each other forming ridges. Here, groups of learners see how patterns and fingerprints assist scientists in a...
Population Connection
Where Do We Grow from Here?
Did you know that the population is expected to grow to 11 billion by 2100? The resource serves final installment in a six-part series on the global population and its effects. Scholars interpret data from the United Nations about the...
Curated OER
Repeating Patterns
Young scholars explore growth patterns by using manipulatives such as pattern blocks, investigate growth pattern of pattern, record growth in T-chart, describe how pattern is growing, and predict number of blocks needed to extend pattern.
Curated OER
Life Cycle of Trees
Turn your students into young tree-tectives with this fun science investigation into the life of trees. To begin, a class volunteer gets dressed up in a tree costume as the different parts of trees are introduced. Then, the class learns...
Curated OER
We’ve Bean Growing: Anatomy of Germination
Students identify the main parts of a seed. In this biology lesson, students explain the factors needed for the seed to grow. They record observations everyday and report findings to class.
Curated OER
I'm a Weather Watcher Watching plants grow by......my,my,my
Students investigate how weather affects how plants grow. They collect data on weather and plant growth for a week and display the data on a graph. For a culminating experience they design a movie using software that shows plant growth...
Curated OER
Estimation and Pattern Discovery
Students collect sunflower heads from their community garden. They estimate its seed count using different strategies. They graph their estimations on a graph and use calculators to find the actual total.
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,...
Virginia Department of Education
Weather Patterns and Seasonal Changes
Get your class outside to observe their surroundings with a lesson highlighting weather patterns and seasonal changes. First, learners take a weather walk to survey how the weather affects animals, people, plants, and trees during...
Curated OER
Are You Aware?
Bring the five senses to life with a fun science experiment! Kindergartners and first graders read an explanation of the five senses, then identify which items Sophia can sense if she is blindfolded. A science explanation at the bottom...
Curated OER
Weather Poems
In this weather worksheet, students use the pictures illustrated to help them unscramble each word to learn a few weather sayings. Then they identify the ways in which meteorologist tracked weather before technology.
Curated OER
Spring Potted Plants
Students identify and interpret plant growth as well as gain graphing skills and other important knowledge related to potting plants. They take a regular milk jug and cut off the top, leaving the handle and the rest intact. Then,...
Curated OER
Watch Me Grow
Learners observe that plants need air, food, light, and water to survive. In this plant biology instructional activity, students observe the growth and development of two plants, one is the control plant and the other is denied either...
Curated OER
Tree Cookies
Students identify heartwood, sapwood, and a tree's annual rings, infer from a tree's rings what damage or stress might have occurred in its life, and make a time-line of human history that coincides with a tree's rings.
Curated OER
Plant Diversity and Distribution
Students construct a defined plot on school grounds and observed patterns in plant life. They count trees, shrubs, cacti and record on a data sheet. They compare data and generate a plant diversity overlook for their school.
Curated OER
Temperature and the Tomato
You will need a photovoltaic system and monitor at your school in order to obtain all of the data required to thoroughly implement this lesson. Your class monitors daily temperature and insolation amounts over a two week span of time....
Curated OER
Graphing the Population Explosion of Weeds
Students are introduced to the seed cycle and draw the specific steps. In groups, they identify the human barriers to the spreading of weeds. After calculating the rate of spreading of the Yellowstar Thistle, they create graphs to see a...
Curated OER
Staghorn Coral
Students recognize that staghorn coral helps reef growth in the Caribbean. In this Coral Reef lesson, students design a habitat model using various art materials to explain how staghorn coral helps the reef grow. Students share their...
Curated OER
Build a 3-d Plant Model
Third graders construct a three-dimensional model of a flowering plant. They examine the major plant parts and their basic functions. They demonstrate an understanding of the similarities and differences in the physical...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
The Effects of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles on Brine Shrimp: A Toxicology Study
Who doesn't love gold and silver? Brine shrimp, that's who! Learners conduct an experimental lesson to monitor the toxicity of gold and silver nanoparticles on brine shrimp. They synthesize solutions to expose the brine shrimp to and...
Curated OER
Trees: Are They Thriving or Surviving?
In this trees survival lesson plan, 8th graders discuss what trees need to grow, brainstorm things that could adversely affect tree growth, and compare characteristics of thriving trees vs. surviving trees. Students learn about the trees...
Curated OER
Logs of Straw: Dendocronology
Students investigate the age of trees by analyzing tree rings. For this dendocronology lesson, students examine sample images of tree rings and identify their age by the amount of rings. Students complete a chart identifying the age,...
Curated OER
Leaf Identification
Students identify different leaf types. They examine their patterns, shapes and colors. They complete a worksheet to end the lesson.
Curated OER
Time and Cycles - Dendrochronology
Students investigate the lives of trees by examining ring cycles. In this plant life lesson, students identify the field of study known as dendrochronology and discover its history. Students investigate a simulated tree ring and...