Howard Hughes Medical Institute
The p53 Gene and Cancer
Is understanding the p53 gene the key to kicking cancer? Introduce a most-important protein through a presentation with colorful diagrams, simulations, and brief lectures. Viewers discover how p53 works, the cellular processes it...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Winner-Take-All: The Two-Party System
Two's company, three's a crowd. High school historians learn about the Electoral College, a two-party, winner-take-all voting system in the United States. The lesson explains the pros and cons of the two-party system, roadblocks for...
Curated OER
Ecology
Sixth graders identify the steps of the different cycles of matter, while learning to use WP utilities.
Curated OER
Flight of the Painted Ladies
Students explore the life cycle of the Painted Lady Butterfly. They set up cameras near a butterfly culture. They create an iPhoto photo book to document and journal their observations of the metamorphosis. Students produce a narrated...
Curated OER
Little Bees, Big Potential
After reading an article on the alfalfa leafcutting bee, learners chart its characteristics alongside those of the honeybee. Then they draw the leafcutter lifecycle. The article provides fascinating reading when studying the role of...
Curated OER
2.4: Metamorphic Rocks
Second graders work with material to simulate changes caused by both heat and pressure. They assimilate what they learned learned in past lessons to explain the rock cycle.
Curated OER
Biosphere
There is so much to learn about the different cycles, processes, and parts of the biosphere. Using a pretest as a formative assessment to see what your budding ecologists already know is a great way to figure out which important areas...
Curated OER
Go With the Energy Flow
Learners explore energy and nutrient flow. In this science instructional activity, students diagram the flow of energy through food chains and food webs. Learners discuss the importance of energy flow in Earth's ecosystems.
Curated OER
In the Company of Wild Butterflies
Pupils discover the life cycle of a butterfly and explain the different stages. In this exploratory lesson students watch a video and create insect art and they will get an opportunity to view live specimens of butterflies.
Curated OER
What Should I Know about Biosphere?
If your class is learning about the biosphere, you may find a study guide or reading guide helpful. Focusing on vocabulary, processes, and interactions, the Word document is easy to edit as needed to fit your needs. Another great...
Curated OER
Photosynthesis: Variations on the Theme
Leaf structure and its specializations for photo-respiration are detailed here. Slides provide information about Photo-respiration biochemistry and its impact. A class learning about classic respiration will appreciate the...
Curated OER
On the Trail of the Hudson's Migratory Fish
Using data related to the fish in the Hudson River area, learners calculate distance, elapsed time, and growth. They learn about migratory fish, the life cycle of a fish, analyze a map, and answer questions.
Curated OER
Are You Sure You've Got the Right Answer?
Young researchers work through the research cycle. They question, plan, gather, sort, synthesize, and evaluate the materials they collect at the library. There are web supplements for this lesson.
Curated OER
Malaria Introduction
Learners analyze three different strategies for controlling the spread of malaria. They examine the disease and how people catch it. Learners explore the life cycle of the malaria parasite.
Curated OER
Hatching Chickens
Learners observe how chickens hatch. In this life cycles lesson, students read the book Hatching Eggs: A Step by Step Guide and use an incubator to hatch the eggs. Learners observe the chicks hatching and take care of the chicks by...
Curated OER
Go Bug!
Second graders explore the lives of insects by participating in a card game. In this metamorphosis lesson, 2nd graders define several scientific vocabulary terms associated with insects and identify the different life cycles associated...
Curated OER
Watering Our Prairie Farms
After reading an article about irrigation on Canadian farms, learners participate in a discussion. They individually write an opinion paper about the surrounding issues. A lesson like this can be used in an earth science class when...
Curated OER
Comparing Mitosis with Meiosis
Life science learners view an online animated mini textbook comparing two types of cell division. Working in groups, they use a digital microscope to capture images of cells in different stages of mitosis and meiosis. Then they create an...
Curated OER
Butterflies are beautiful
Second graders explore butterflies. They discuss the types of butterflies that are found in Indiana. Students learn what kind of plants are needed to start a butterfly garden. They study the four life stages of a butterfly.
Curated OER
Look at Those Leaves!
Learners observe leaves in hands-on ways. As they observe attributes, they will group the leaves according to these attributes and consider any patterns they see emerge. In addition, they will communicate what they have learned about...
Curated OER
Great Rivers 2: The Ups and Downs of River Flooding
Second in a three-part lesson on rivers, this lesson focuses on the flooding that occurs in riparian locations. First, learners take a look at facts about the Amazon River. They read online materials and fill in a worksheet as they...
University of Washington
Toothpick Fish
With colored toothpicks representing genes, youngsters practice passing them through generations of fish and learn about heredity. Consider this as an introductory activity since it does not represent recessive genes with lowercase...
Curated OER
Measuring Precipitation
A little engineering design is mixed into this lesson on precipitation measurement. Groups plan and construct a rain gauge, and use it to collect precipitation. As part of the PowerPoint presentation, learners view a satellite map of...
Curated OER
The Heart of the Matter
Upper elementary pupils learn about the blood transportation system and anatomy of the human heart. They fill in an outline of the human heart (not included) focusing on the flow of blood to and from the heart. Using stethoscopes,...