Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Does the increased use of fertilizers effect biodiversity?

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Pupils conduct a hands-on lab activity in which they analyze a sample of water from a local stream or pond. They introduce a fertilizer solution into the sample and analyze and describe their findings.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Analysis Lesson Plan

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners practice calculating density and examine examples of the physical characteristics of soil. They solve a "crime" based on the evidence and laboratory investigations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physical Difference and Classification

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students use a microscope and observation skills to compare and contrast several physical properties and develop a classification system.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pass It On

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students define terms, explain the relationship between sexual reproduction and meiosis and describe the process of meiosis. They view and identify phases of meiosis using a microscope and slides. They create a flipbook illustrating the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Gift of Life - Day 2: "Cell & Organelle Time to Tell" and "World in Color" (Chapters 2-4)

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students complete a cell biology lesson and a color lesson based on The Giver. In this biology and reading comprehension lesson set, students examine cells using microscopes. They look at the organelles and listen to How Much is a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Salt: Up Close and Personal

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners predict, observe, and explain the details of salt as they view it under a variety of magnifications. They observe salt with the naked eye, and then under a hand lens, microscope, and the electron microscope.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dinosaurs 1: Where Are the Dinosaurs?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore the time of the dinosaurs. In this extinction lesson, students watch a video clip about different dinosaurs and are asked about what they observed. Students talk about how dinosaurs hatched from eggs and compare that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life in a Drop of Pond Water

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate living creatures that inhabit a pond and explore how various organisms satisfy their needs within their environments. In this life in a drop of pond water lesson, students examine microorganisms under...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comapring New Jersey Sediments

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students identify various types of sand by its uniformity of grain size. Students use a microscope to graphically compare particles by their degree of roundness and sphericity. Students compare their observations recorded in the table...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Relating Structure to Function in Cells

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders investigate specialized structures in both plants and animals. They relate structure to function, as they determine why the specialization is necessary and useful to the living organisms involved. They use microscopes...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth's Dramatic History

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners create a timeline.  In this Earth's History lesson, students research the history of life on Earth and use the information collected to create a timeline.  Learners also answers the provided discussion questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flower Power

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students explore the parts of flowers and how they reproduce. They dissect flowers and observe the reproductive organs. Students observe anthers and ovaries of Tiger Lilies under a microscope. They investigate how insects and other...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wetland Water Testing

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students examine the different properties that affect water quality.  In this pollution lesson plan students play a game, complete a hands on activity and computer lab. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Microorganisms: Good Guys or Bad Guys?

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students discover the role microorganisms play in our lives. In this decomposition lesson, students examine decaying foods and plants in order to analyze the different bacteria that grows. Students discuss the good and bad of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mini-Ponds

For Teachers 7th - 9th
In this mini pond worksheet, students create a mini-pond ecosystem with soil, water, and plant life. Students let their ecosystem sit for a day and they observe a sample the next day. Students identify all the pond water microorganisms...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA Blueprint for Life

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Did you know that meat tenderizers contain DNA cutting enzimes? Did you know that you can isolate your own DNA? Or the DNA of fruit? Explore with your learners the DNA world with a series of experiments using readily available materials...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conduction, Convection, Radiation, Oh My!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students draw a line graph, and use graphing as a tool to discover more about conduction, convection and radiation. They should design their own experiment using heat sensitive paper to show they explain these 3 processes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Frosty the Snowman Meets His Demise: An Analogy to Carbon Dating

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read and discuss an article about carbon dating, then participate in a hands-on lab to discover how carbon dating works. Students also write a letter to a friend explaining the process, and how archeologists use the process to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bacteria: The good, the bad, the ugly

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders conduct an experiment.  In this bacteria instructional activity, 7th graders list living and nonliving things and brainstorm the characteristics they share.  Students are divided into two groups where they put...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inventions- The Impact

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students discuss the impact of certain inventions. In this technology lesson, students research Thomas Edison and the light bulb on the Internet and discuss how the invention impacted society. Students create their own simple inventions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Shape of Things

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders read and discuss information regarding the shape and attributes of an eggshell. In this shape of things lesson plan, 6th graders gather relevant information that pertains to the incubation and formation of an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pollinators and Wildflowers

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore how plants depend on pollinators to reproduce.  In this pollination lesson students dissect a local flower and collect and identify pollinating insects. 
Lesson Plan
Michigan Sea Grant

Invasive Species

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners identify invasive species to the Great Lakes and analyze their impact on the ecosystem. Using photo cards with pictures and facts, young scientists work in small groups to match invasive species with their corresponding...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mohs Hardness Test

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders listen as they are told about another way to classify rocks; by their hardness. They observe the Mohs Hardness Test overhead, discover how the test works, and then use materials such as pennies, butter knives, nails, and...