Examine the properties of light with a fifth grade science experiment. Pupils find out how light bounces off the surface of a mirror, as well as how a periscope works. For the science investigation part, kids build their own periscope...

What sound does metal make when you hit it? Kindergartners and first graders conduct an experiment about the properties of metal. First, they draw a line between metal items and descriptions of each. Next, they use a magnet to see which...

Fifth graders interpret a table of data about food chains in the ocean. They create a food chain to represent the information on the table. Periwinkles eat seaweed, and crabs eat periwinkles - so who eats crabs? Extend the activity with...

Students examine worm habitats. In this animal habitats lesson, students participate in a lab activity that requires them to explore the adaptations that earthworms make to their environment.

Third graders identify key concepts and definitions about tornados. They work in small groups of three to four to create mini-tornados. After reading Tornado Alert as a class, 3rd graders discuss tornados and fill out a KWL chart.

Young scholars explore the beach. In this marine habitat lesson, students inspect sand grains, design beach profiles, classify marine life, and examine natural beach habitats. Young scholars use spreadsheets to record data from their...

Students create a digital scrapbook that shows information-text and pictures that are specific to each child. They make charts and graphs. They use digital cameras, scanners, software, to write captions, stories, poems, letters, and...

Students complete online research to study geography's impact on weather. In this geography and weather lesson, students research weather in their city for ten days using an online website. Students bookmark the site, enter data into a...

Is it a fruit or a vegetable? Youngsters place an F next to each fruit they see and a V next to the vegetables. Corn is tricky. It is a grass, so it's actually not a fruit or a vegetable, but a grain!

Cake has to be good for something, right? Different foods are used by our bodies in different ways. Learners will first read about what fats, proteins, fruits, and vegetables do for the human body. They will then put each of food shown...

Very young scientists circle the things on the worksheet that they think are living things. Most of the pictures are of non-living things. A handy worksheet to use during any initial discussion about living vs. non-living things.

You could use this worksheet two different ways. As is, or you could have learners actually do the experiment shown. They are to determine which magnet is strongest by counting the number of paper clips hanging from it. Why not get five...

Students use NASA satellite data to see cloud cover over Africa.  In this seasons lesson students access data and import it into Excel. 

In this trees lesson, 4th graders read the book, A Tree is Growing and complete a KWL chart on how trees grow and how they are used. Students research the symbiotic relationship of humans and trees, create tree collages, plant a...

Students investigate the concepts of hurricanes and violent weather conditions. In this violent weather instructional activity, students access an Internet site and watch a video about how air masses behave, how a tornado forms, how...

Young scholars explore animal adaptations. In this animal science lesson, students watch the video "Kratt's Kreatures" and work in groups to complete a worksheet about animal adaptations.

Young scholars explore the primary function of the respiratory system in multiple activities. In this respiratory system lesson, students build a model of the respiratory system to investigate how the lungs work.

Fourth graders identify the origins of meats and vegetables consumed by humans on a daily basis. They classify foods (meats, dairy products, grains...) and create a food pyramid.

Students participate in a project which incorporates science with reading, writing, social studies, and technology. Through several activities over a 15 day period, they explore the computer, digital camera, computer software programs...

Duke University has established the Center for Inquiry-Based Learning. It serves to enhance math and science lessons. Click on Resources for good examples of Inquiry-based lesson plans.

Inquiry-based lesson plans are usually referred to as "facilitation plans," to help teachers remember their role as facilitator of learning, rather than fount of all wisdom. The notion also helps teachers structure lessons more loosely...

Maths Maps is a collaborative project where participants use Google maps to choose a location within one of the cities highlighted, then create a Math problem about the site. The problems are marked on the map with various colors...

SciGirls has the bold goal of changing how millions of girls think about science, technology, engineering and math - or STEM. Each half-hour episode highlights the processes of science and engineering, following a different group of...

SciGirls has the bold goal of changing how millions of girls think about science, technology, engineering and math -- or STEM. Each half-hour episode highlights the processes of science and engineering, following a different group of...