Geology beginners examine three different rock samples and determine their origin by their characteristics. By making and recording observations, they become familiar with features of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock types....

Seventh graders define the term microbe. They identify the five main groups of microbes. Students give examples of ways in which microbes have impacted or currently impact human life. They create a hypotheses for where they expect to...

Students come to understand vocabulary words through pantomime. In this vocabulary lesson plan, students first review several vocabulary words and their meaning, then they work in groups to pantomime the definitions.

Where this is not exactly a lesson plan, it is a terrific outline of how to generate biogas from an animal manure sample. If you are up for the challenge, the generator can be built by your class as a concluding project at the end of an...

Explore the concept of scientific classification and the similarities and differences between plant and animal species. Your class will participate in hands-on activities by investigating dichotomous keys and classifying their shoes. To...

Students perform a lab to becoe familar with scientific concepts. The skill of inquiry is essential and this lesson furthers its development. The intelligence of kinesthetics is used as learners perform the many aspects of this lab...

First graders explore properties of wood used to make cultural items and make a ring and stick game.

Students evaluate the importance of hormones in living things. In this biology instructional activity, students experiment on carrots to differentiate how humans and plants reproduce. They collect data from experiment to answer analysis...

Students investigate the possibility of life existing on other planets. They conduct research using a variety of resources. The lesson plan includes an overview that is used for classroom discussion practices. They tell the teacher how...

Students 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.

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...

Students examine the different properties that affect water quality.  In this pollution instructional activity students play a game, complete a hands on activity and computer lab. 

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...

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...

High schoolers conduct a series of activities to explore the nature of cells. In this biology activity, students observe plant and animal cells under the microscope and compare them. They differentiate osmosis and diffusion.

Students describe how igneous rocks are formed, design a classification system to group igneous rocks and develop a controlled experiment to prove that the rate of cooling affects the size of the crystals.

Seventh graders conduct an experiment.  In this bacteria lesson plan, 7th graders list living and nonliving things and brainstorm the characteristics they share.  Students are divided into two groups where they put samples of...

Learners explain the concepts of what DNA is and where it is located in a cell, identify the two types of molecules that make up the rungs of a DNA molecule and identify the two types of Purine and Pyrimidine molecules

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...

Students discuss the impact of certain inventions. In this technology activity, students research Thomas Edison and the light bulb on the Internet and discuss how the invention impacted society. Students create their own simple inventions.

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

Students explore the organisms that live on counters or surfaces in the classroom. In this mold experiment, students observe mold in different conditons.  Students record their observations on a worksheet. Students understand how...

Students explore how plants depend on pollinators to reproduce.  In this pollination lesson students dissect a local flower and collect and identify pollinating insects. 

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...