Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Amphibian Spawns

For Teachers K
Students observe tadpoles as they gradually change into adults.  In this amphibian biology lesson, students watch tadpoles in a tank in the classroom, keep a daily record of what they observe, and chart the growth development of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Wrong with My Pond?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine various pond water samples to identify water quality. For this water quality lesson, students will identify levels of nitrates, ammonia, pH, hardness,and alkalinity in pond water. They will explain importance of water...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Check Out Lights and Shields with Beads

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore Ultraviolet detecting beads and conduct several investigations with them.  In this investigative instructional activity students participate in an experiment to see the harmful effects of UV light and discuss their...
Lesson Plan
US Environmental Protection Agency

Carbon Through the Seasons

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Meteorologists view an animated video by the Environmental Protection Agency to learn how the carbon cycle works, and then move into groups to analyze and graph actual data of the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration from Hawaii's...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cleansing, Sparkling Koos

For Teachers K
Students explore the importance of water conservation and investigate how plants clean water.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning from Primary Source Documents One Day at a Time

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students differentiate between primary and secondary research sources before making a visual representation of their research into the colonist of Fort St. Louis. They write inquiry questions to guide their research.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Lepidoptera Project

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students are introduced to Scientific Inquiry and discover how to design an experiment that answers critical questions using butterflies as the topic. They design experiments that compare the number of species of butterflies in a vacant,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Elodea Lab

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Pupils observe the changes between elodea leaves placed in darkness and light.  In this life science lesson, students experiment to find evidence of photosynthesis in elodea leaves. Pupils use indicators to detect the presences of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discover Science

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students practice scientific research skills. In this lesson plan about science, students gain experience with the following skills: comparison, observation, identification, and data gathering. Students will go from station to station...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Perils of Drinking Water

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students determine the presence of drugs in water. In this chemistry instructional activity, students experiment on water samples using thin layer and column chromatography. They determine the concentration of drugs present using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eco-Detectives

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore natural decomposers. In this decomposing lesson, students participate in a WebQuest to discover how nature handles decomposition. Students compare natural methods for decomposition with recycling efforts.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Study of Urban and Suburban Environments within the Mystic River Watershed

For Teachers 10th - 12th
High school students examine their own water-based environments, within the Mystic Watershed. As the learners engage in inquiry-based, hands-on projects, critical thinking skills and problem-solving, the project will lead them to cross...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Which Part of the Great Salt Lake Stinks More?

For Teachers 4th
Students research background knowledge of the Great Salt Lake prior to a field trip. They identify specific wild life at the Great Salt Lake on the field trip and identify the islands in the Great Salt Lake. They present their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life Science- Learning About Tadpoles

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate a frog's life cycle. For this tadpole lesson, students observe tadpoles in an aquarium and record results. Students fill in a KWL chart as an assessment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plant Nutrition and Nutrients

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students observe seeds growth and examine the different parts of the seedling. In this biology lesson, students compare the growth of seeds planted in soil and in hydroponics. They record their observations in their science journal and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Winter Season

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students recognize the relationship between Earth's tilt and the Winter season. In this Winter instructional activity, students work in pairs to complete make frost and design snow goggles. Students experiment a hand lens to study the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is a Seed?

For Teachers 1st
First graders identify the parts of a seed. In this plant biology instructional activity, 1st graders are given a seed and identify each part of the seed by using a hand lens. Students plant a seed and graph the growth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Harriman and Plant Identification

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students observe and record botanical details from the plant specimens. They identify plants using sorting key and field guide and classify specimens for preservation and display purposes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seed Dispersion of Strawberries and Dandelions

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate how seeds are dispersed on land.  In this plant biology lesson, students use a dissecting microscope to study strawberry seeds and dandelion seeds, they draw what they see, then create a hypothesis on the seeds...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classification of Cerealites

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a dichotomous key. In this categorizing lesson, students create a dichotomous key for different types of cereal. Students classify the cereal into groups such as flakes and cereal with holes. Students discuss their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Growing bacteria

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the growth of bacteria under the right condition. In this biology lesson plan, students observe the growth of bacteria and fungi given the perfect condition to grow. They graph the result and investigate where else...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Enzymes in Action

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore how enzymes are important in the chemical reactions of all living things.  In this enzymes and catalysts activity students complete an activity to see how enzymes change living things.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Function of a Stem

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders perform an experiment to test the function of a stem. In this science instructional activity, 4th graders write a description of their investigations. Students also explain how the stem interacts with the rest of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fishing

For Teachers K - Higher Ed
Students explore the techniques and basic needs of the fisherman.  In this fishing lesson, students view a demonstration of the use of fishing equipment. Students research Iowa farm ponds and design a class mural from their...