Young scholars explore defense mechanisms involved in predatory/prey relationships.They engage in a discussion about predatory/prey interactions. They reflect on the life cycle and behavior of the cicada.

The first stage in the butterfly's life cycle is the egg. Young entomologists discuss why different butterflies lay different eggs and what their eggs look like. Then they use the handouts to make a replica of one type of butterfly egg...

Children will love researching and then creating a bottom dwelling mollusk of their own. They watch clips describing the ocean ecosystem and how oysters fit into their environment. Next, they research what oysters eat and how they look....

Youngsters construct a map of treasures that they find along a nature trail as they hike. They also make sketches and create place names of some of the spots along the trail. Once back in class, pupils use their treasure maps to help...

Learners examine the last stage of the monarch butterfly. In this life cycles lesson, students read the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar and study photos of the monarch life cycle. Learners illustrate the third stage of the monarch...

Students examine Science in present day life.   In this oral communication lesson, students discuss and rank  scientific events from least to most important. Students discuss their responses and why they are different....

Students explore marine animal adaptation. For this introductory ocean life biology lesson, students access prior knowledge by participating in a whole class "thought swap." Students form two lines, respond to a prompt from the teacher...

Students investigate polymers and their uses in everyday life. In this polymers lesson, students are assigned one of the 10 areas of polymer science and they do research on their assigned area using the internet. Students gather their...

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 plan, students examine microorganisms under...

Young scholars discuss the factors that make a good children's book. After reading an article, they explore the prevalence of science in children's literature. In groups, they research a topic and translate it into easy language for a...

Students examine the current technologies used in mapping resources in the marine environment. They look at remote sensing, sounding, and underwater vehicles. They examine image from the benthic habitat produced by the GIS in order to...

Students observe and write about butterflies. For this life cycle lesson, students listen to the story The Life of a Butterfly by Robin Bernard and watch a YouTube video of a butterfly coming out of his chrysalis. They complete a...

Learners explore the composition and function of blood through a variety of media and hands-on experiences. This lesson is a very good introduction to blood and the circulatory system.

Students examine the types of organisms found in oceans. In groups, they read articles about the research done at certain sites. They work together to research their own water ecosystems and report the findings to the class. To end...

Students test for organic molecules to determine if a solution contains once living molecules. For this characteristics of life lesson, students test common liquids for the presence of organic molecules, including starch, protein, and...

Students examine the life cycle of the butterfly through literature. In this butterfly life cycle lesson, students listen to a read aloud of Eric Carle's, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and discuss the life cycle shown in the story. They...

Students undertake a similar (but not quite as drastic) adventure as that of Frontier House as they explore the day-to-day realities of frontier life through a Laura Ingalls Wilder story, and reflect on which time period suits them...

Middle schoolers examine the factors the affect water quality, and allow for animals and plants to live. They look at how engineers apply water quality information when making stream modifications in order to ensure drinking water...

Learners create a large (classroom-sized) timeline showing the history of life on Earth for the last 5 billion years. They are able to identify the events that are relevant to their taxonomic projects (the Origins and important...

Students view butterflies and participate in a butterfly activity to learn needed vocabulary. In this butterfly life cycle lesson, students access prior knowledge of butterflies.  Students listen to a butterfly life cycle book....

Young scholars create a timeline of a tree in a given time span.  In this life cycle lesson, students observe one particular tree at the beginning of the year, and continue their observations for several weeks to create a timeline...

Students test tap water for hardness and mineral content. In this environmental science lesson, students identify the different stages of the water cycle. They classify plant and animals according to the rules of taxonomy.

Students delve into a study of sharks. In this science lesson plan, students examine the many different scientific occupations, as well as some possible specializations therein, and perhaps a little bit of other life considerations,...