Curated OER
Start a Herbarium
Students explore importance of a herbarium and start one of their own.
Curated OER
No magic borders
Middle schoolers discuss what they have heard about pollution. They explore the purposes and limitations of political boundaries and borders and identify some of the causes and effects of pollution.
Curated OER
Nebraska: Using Pictures
Students create a scrapbook about Nebraska history focusing on Post Office murals. They choose their favorite murals and write a story to go along with the mural. In groups, students present their murals to the class and visit the...
Curated OER
Apples A"Peel" To Me
Second graders study the characteristics and uses for apples through this series of ten lessons. They look at the importance of apples in the US. They read literature about apples, graph, sort, and measure apples, and make apple snacks....
Curated OER
Termite Lab
Students examine insect behavior in a lab activity. Students explore the idea of chemical specificity and the reactions of termites to a chemical found in their trail pheromone. Students watch a demonstration with termites before...
Curated OER
Plants
Second graders examine the characteristics of plants. As a class, they brainstorm a list of items plants need in order to survive. In groups, they complete various experiments in which they discover the functions of the parts of the plant.
Curated OER
Plants
Students identify and label parts of a plant. They will construct a plant from art material and describe the purpose of each part for the plants survival. Students author a book with pictures and words or a story about a plant.
Curated OER
Adapted to Fire
Fourth graders explore forest species' adaptations to fire by participating in a scavenger hunt and mapping a burned forest. Students create maps and explore how indigenous species adapted to living with fire.
Curated OER
Save the Planet!
Third graders explore the Recycle City Web site. They examine ways to save the environment. They write a short interview between a news reporter and an environmental expert. They practice acting out their news report.
Curated OER
Second Grade Science Textbooks
Second graders create their own science textbooks. They work in small, cooperative science teams to plan and create their textbooks. In addition, they photograph their group work, projects, materials and specimens, and other images.
Curated OER
Recycling Garden Waste
Students experience how to make compost. This instructional activity is ongoing with periodic checks and maintenance. They select a piece of ground around the school or around their homes to establish a compost pile. Organic materials...
Curated OER
Matter in Motion
In this matter in motion worksheet, students answer the provided questions as it relates to motion, speed, velocity, and acceleration. Students mark given statements as either true or false.
Curated OER
The Effects of Solar Energy
Students examine how solar energy is absorbed and used. In this solar energy lesson students complete several activities that allow them to better understand solar energy.
Curated OER
The Human Organism
Eighth graders investigate animal behavior by studying the lives of three female behavior scientists. In this human organism lesson students do different activities that inquire and approach each females work.
Curated OER
Introduction to Junkanoo! A Bahamian Festival
Learners examine a Bahamian festival called Junkanoo. They analyze how group cooperation is related to the festival. They finally identify how factions form and how they can help or hurt a community.
Curated OER
The Angle of the Sun's Rays
Students study elevation of the Sun above the horizon and the angle of the rays and their heating power.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Trees
In this investigation, students will record an observation (drawing) of a tree in their science notebook. Following the observation, students will discuss what they observed and a list will be created by the classroom teacher. Based on...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Minnesota Tree Leaves
In this biology field exercise, students will collect leaves, describe differences seen in casual and detailed observation and give reasons for the importance of trees. Students will use their five senses to take a closer look at leaves...
Utah Education Network
Uen: Looking at the Community Tree
A neighborhood tree is observed for evidence of interactions between living and nonliving things.
Middle School Science
Middle School Science: Observing Tree Rings
In the lab experiment site, you will determine the age of a tree, see if you can determine what years had more precipitation than others, and label the cross section of a tree: bark, heartwood, sapwood, and rings.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Seasonal Changes of a Tree
For this activity, students adopt a tree in the schoolyard and observe it throughout the year, recording the changes that they notice as the seasons pass. They will learn about the parts of the tree and notice how the tree is used by...
PBS
Pbs Kids: Plum Landing: Tree Inspector
This PBS Kids activity is an extension of a Plum Landing episode featuring trees. Students will use the online tools to draw a tree that they closely observe.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: A Student Produced Field Guide to Neighborhood Trees
During this project, students will be working cooperatively to create a field guide of trees in the neighborhood near the school. Students will make observations of trees near the school. They will then learn about tree anatomy and...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Minnesota Tree Blitz
This activity serves as an introduction to tree identification and helps students learn about the natural world around them. While exploring trees of Minnesota, students will recognize biodiversity of trees and learn how to observe,...