Big Kid Science
Measuring Shadows Using an Ancient Method
How did ancient peoples determine the height of really tall objects? Young scientists and mathematicians explore the concept of using shadows to measure height in a hands-on experiment. Paired pupils measure shadows, then calculate the...
Wild BC
Connecting Ecosystems & Climate
Collaborators sort a set of cards into biotic and abiotic categories. Then, as a class, they discuss their work and relate each of the abiotic components to climate change. Finally, they form a web of components by connecting those that...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Waterproof that Roof!
Stop the raindrops from getting into the house! Eager engineers learn about roofing history and waterproofing by nanotechnology. They get into groups and work on designing a waterproof roof for a small model house. The accompanying...
Wild BC
Is Climate Change Good for Us?
Is it really that big of a deal if the global climate undergoes a little change? Young environmentalists consider this very question as they discuss in small groups the impact of different climate change scenarios on their lives,...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Preparing for Project BudBurst
Male deer growing antlers to begin the breeding season is an example of a phenological event. First in a four-part series is an activity requiring individuals to collect phenological data on their campus. Classes discuss phenology, the...
American Museum of Natural History
Keeping a Field Journal
Recording scientific evidence allows for important discoveries and conclusions. A remote learning resource outlines how to create a field journal to record scientific observations. The outline resource includes notation about the...
Chymist
Landfills and Recycling
Examine the nature of landfills through experimentation. Scholars build miniature landfills and monitor changes over a six-week period. Observations allow individuals to draw conclusions about the different types of trash and their...
Curated OER
Why Are Thinning Trees Important?
Students investigate thinning trees and why they are important to the forest. In this sustainable environment lesson, students role-play as if they are trees in the forest and simulate the overcrowding and inability to move spaces,...
Curated OER
Tree ID Booklet
Young scholars make a booklet of leaves they find and identify the tree they came from. For this tree identification lesson plan, young scholars research the leaves on the internet to determine the tree they come from.
Curated OER
Calculating Volume in the Forest
Eighth graders use their knowledge of calculating the volume of cylinders to calculate the volume of trees. For this volume lesson plan, 8th graders identify why calculating the volume of cylinders would be valuable to a forester.
Curated OER
Jungle Survival
Students make a chart with columns for water, food, shelter, fire, and other needs.Then list whatever each person thinks they might need in each column to survive for at least a week in the outdoors during that season.
Curated OER
Adding Adaptations to Insects
Fourth graders investigate elements of physical adaptation in insects and organisms. They discover how adaptations can select an insect for survival and make an insect that be used in an outdoor discovery activity.
Curated OER
Water Anaysis
Young scholars conduct three tests of water quality that can be utilized with TerrAqua columns and outdoors: pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. They make comparisons between different types of water and draw conclusions about how...
Curated OER
Hello Summer
Learners celebrate the great outdoors and the coming summer break by studying the natural world. In this seasons lesson, students engage in bark rubbing and operate a digital camera to capture outdoor imagery for a collage to help them...
Curated OER
Classification of the Nearby Trees
Third graders practice using classification techniques to identify local trees. In this plant life instructional activity, 3rd graders discuss how trees differ from other plants and what characteristics are unique to trees alone....
Curated OER
Flora and Fauna of the Hill Neighborhood
Learners compare and contrast the characteristics of plants and animals. In this ecology lesson, students observe the outdoors and describe the relationship among different living things. They relate plant diversity with animal diversity.
Curated OER
Wildlife Track Identification
Even though the PowerPoint slides for this lesson are not included, you may find it useful for the wildlife track preservation instructions provided. After demonstrating the steps for making track casts, take your class outdoors to make...
Curated OER
Collect Wildlife Tracks Using Track Preservation Methods
Review the steps for preserving wildlife tracks and then take ecologists outdoors to create plaster casts. This lesson is best used at an environmental or outdoor school situation since wildlife footprints aren't easily located within a...
Curated OER
Gaia: The Wisdom of the Earth
Learners are introduced to Gaia theory of natural homeostasis. They graph Earth's temperatures over time, construct terrariums or monitor the outdoor environment. Related videos titles are suggested, but may be outdated. The objectives...
Curated OER
Investigating Erosion in an Outdoor Classroom
First graders observe the effects of erosion. They work in groups to simulate erosion in a streambed, participate in class discussion, read books about fossils and rocks and then go on a fossil hunt.
Curated OER
Painting Botanicals by Computer Lesson
Students increase computer graphics skills and trace and paint botanicals from digital photographs taken of prairie plants using computer-aided artistic techniques in Painter Classic Software and with the Wacom Tablet and stylus.
Curated OER
Schoolyard Jungle: What's Out There?
Eighth graders create a plant study guide using their outdoor classroom environment. In this ecology lesson, 8th graders take photographs of plants they collect from the outdoor classroom and create plant field guides. Students...
Curated OER
Teaching with Nature
Students participate in a nature walk to learn about their natural environments. In this nature study activity, students brainstorm a list of things to look for on their nature walk. Students go on the nature walk and locate objects they...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Pollution Patrol
Students design and build an outdoor air pollution detector, test their designs, and communicate their results. In this investigative instructional activity students work in teams to design their detectors and use everyday items to...