NASA
How Does a Hurricane Form?
Young meteorologists examine the formation of a hurricane in a resource focused on severe weather conditions. Once they learn that a hurricane is also a tropical cyclone, and detail the different levels associated...
NOAA
Ocean Zones
How can organisms light up in water? Bioluminescence is light produced in a chemical reaction that can occur in an organism's body. First, learners determine what happens to light/color as you move into the deep ocean. In groups, they...
Curated OER
Mapping the Unknown
Pupils explain how early maps of the ocean bottom were made. They describe and execute a method for producing a low-resolution map of a surface that cannot be seen or touched. Students analyze the data from a mapping activity and...
Curated OER
John Fitch: Pioneer Steamboat Inventor
Students explore the transportation revolution brought about through the use of steam power to move boats over water. They practice note taking skills by taking notes from an article.
Curated OER
Comparing Two Turtles
Young scholars compare and contrast the various observable features of two different turtles. in groups, they complete a visual analysis of the sea turtle and tortoise. Using their observations, they complete Venn Diagram of the...
Curated OER
Whale of a Tale
Students apply problem solving techniques to answer a question. After reading a passage, they compare and contrast three species of whale in a quantitative fashion.
Curated OER
Earth: The Apple of our Eye
Students are led through a demonstration in which they cut open an apple, which represents the earth. They follow through the hands-on activity, cutting the apple into various portions--each representing some aspect of the earth.
Curated OER
Iron Fertilization - Pumping Iron
The theory that adding iron to ocean water may increase phytoplankton ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is examined. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute is monitoring conditions off the California coast to...
Curated OER
Soil Runoff Challenge
Students find ways to decrease soil runoff for an African Village as a part of a Peace Corps project. In this soil runoff lesson, students play a soil runoff challenge online. Students complete online activities and view a slide show to...
Curated OER
Christopher Columbus
In this Christopher Columbus worksheet, 3rd graders will read a six paragraph passage. Students will then answer seven multiple choice questions about what they have read.
Curated OER
Great Lakes Food Web
Students identify species and components of a Great Lakes food web. Using note cards, they place themselves in the correct order of the food chain based on the species present. They discuss what they believe happens to various species...
Curated OER
Early Exploration of North America
Third graders "travel" from Europe to North America as Columbus did. They organize the information into chronoglogical order.
Curated OER
Geologic Age
Students investigate radioactivity as a tool for measuring geologic time and how geologists use this information to determine the absolute age of rocks or minerals.
Curated OER
Where Am I, and How Do I Get Where I am Going?
Students describe geographical places through art, music, writing, and math. They compile information in booklets which may be published.
Curated OER
Help, I'm Melting!
Young scholars explore the parts of the rock cycle and the process of erosion as they build their own mountain and observe the effects of wind and rain as erosive agents.
Curated OER
Earth Systems
Ninth graders investigate biological systems. They summarize relationships between systems. Students determine how systems relate within the biosphere. They analyze the carbon cycle.
Curated OER
Aquatic Exotics
Young scholars identify and describe the aquatic exotic species found in Illinois. Using the internet, they research the species origins and discover their effects on native species in the area. They discuss how appropriate it is to...
Curated OER
African Pride- Reading Comprehension
For this reading comprehension worksheet, students read a speech which the President of South Africa delivered. Students answer questions, and write an essay.
Curated OER
Plate Tectonics & Land Forms
Fourth graders discuss the different interactions of plates and the ways mountains are created. In this plate tectonics lesson plan students complete an activity in groups.
Discovery of Sound in the Sea
How to Build a Hydrophone
The materials and procedures for building a hydrophone, an underwater sound collecting device, are provided in this resource. Have high school oceanographers construct the underwater microphone to pick up sound waves. Then take...
Curated OER
El Nino Lesson
Young scholars compare graphs of weather occurrences. In this environmental lesson plan, students will being using the website to gather weather related information for a certain time period. The young scholars will then graph the data...
Curated OER
Follow Your Dreams: Career Goals
It is so important for impending high school graduates to start thinking about their potential careers. Here, they discuss the persistence of Blondie Hasler and his impressive transatlantic trip. They follow various routes on a map and...
Curated OER
A Line Graph of the Ocean Floor
Learners develop a spreadsheet and import the information into a line graph. In this spreadsheet and line graph instructional activity, students develop a spreadsheet of ocean depths. They import the information into a word processed...
Curated OER
El Nino
Students recognize that El Nino is caused by changes in the atmospheric and ocean content. They conduct a simple experiment, visit websites and create a class poster using individual storyboards.