Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Strange Winter Weather Affects Nature, People

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students react to a series of statements about the weather, then read a news article about the affect of unusual winter weather on people and animals. In this meteorology and current events lesson, the teacher introduces an article with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sports Helmets and Impact Testing of Polymers

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students examine the importance of good quality safety gear. In this investigative lesson, students will tests various polymers, collect data, and analyze the data to determine which polymer is best for safety helmets. They will design a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water, Water, Everywhere!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students complete a WebQuest. In this water cycle lesson, students investigate the cycle through a WebQuest activity. Students research the water cycle through Internet resources and create a documentary video of their process.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Determining the Altitude of Iridium Flares

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine what iridium flares are and when they occur.  In this iridium flare lesson students complete an activity to see how far overhead Iridium satellites are.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Organic and Inorganic Recycling

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine their role in polluting the environment and discuss the importance of recycling. In groups, they place earthworms into compost piles to observe why they are considered natural recyclers. They also practice sorting a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy is Everywhere

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources and identify the different forms of energy and list the advantages or disadvantages of different forms of energy. They also determine the benefits as well as the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Population and Its Impact on the Planet

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students explore environmental problems due to the growing worldwide human population and examine the growth rate. They also discuss possible ways to stabilize population growth and increase sustainable development.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Practical Illustrations of Astronomical Concepts Relating to the Solar System

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders are introduced to concepts related to the Solar System. In groups, they participate in an experiment in which they must describe a ray of light and how it travels. They draw a diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

After the Garbage Can: Where Does Our Trash Go?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore how waste disposal has changed over time and what the current issues are.  In this disposal lesson students collect data and create graphs.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Will, Water Way

For Teachers All
Students complete a unit on biodiversity and their significance to pharmaceuticals. They
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Influenza Virus: A tiny moving target

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the structure and adaptability of viruses. For this viral diseases lesson, students play a game to introduce viruses and disease. They conduct computer research and complete interactive activities to investigate the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biodegradability

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners study the effects of water, salt water and heat on common household materials. They separate an emulsion and show that the materials are completely recoverable and observe the effect of acetone and water on polystyrene.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pieces of Mind: What's In A Dream?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners explore the five stages of sleep. They view video footage of sleep labs and discuss the findings. Students conduct experiments by keeping a sleep journal to track their sleep and dream activity. They find examples of ways...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Physics of Hummingbirds: Magic in the Air

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study hummingbirds and how they use Newton's law.  In this motion lesson students complete several activities and view videos of hummingbirds. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physical And Chemical Changes

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders identify physical and chemical changes of matter. They distinguish between physical and chemical changes. They classify changes as physical or chemical.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Environment

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students, while engaged in a group discussion, collaborate a mini-project on environmental issues at home and/or in the classroom as well as incorporating environmentally related words and expressions within their daily diary writing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Student Investigation on the Immune System and Hemeagglutination

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students perform an experiment to demonstrate the principles of antibody-antigen binding, the secondary immune response, cross reactivity, and complement fixation. The materials to be used include antibodies from a rabbit that was...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Zoo Animal Experts

For Teachers K
As part of an exploration of zoo animals, kindergarteners conduct research on their favorite animal and compile their information. Learners write about their animal in a journal and create a trading card. The culminating activity is a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sustainability Project

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Pupils explore alternative energy sources. In this environmental lesson, students discuss alternative energy sources and construct a plan to incorporate an alternative home technology into a bedroom. Pupils build a model of their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Wave - A Science Lesson Plan

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students investigate the geography surrounding the Great Salt Lake and the three main benches in the area. In this Great Salt Lake lesson, students read a background for the areas geography and make their own beach to analyze wave...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why Is Evolution Controversial?

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students explore why evolution has always been a controversial topic. They use scientific process to determine patterns and to critically analyze alternative explanations for natural phenomena.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electric Car: American Industry and Innovation

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study how an electric car operates.  In this electric car lesson students assemble an electric car motor from parts from an internal combustion engine.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

PATTERNS IN TIME

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students build a realistic sense of geological time, seek clues of transition fossils and find them.  In this investigative lesson students complete several activities and worksheets on fossils. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 8, Recycling

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students examine recycling. In this environmental stewardship activity, students practice persuading others to recycle as they collaborate to prepare small group skits. Students discuss the issue and write reflections about the experience.