American Chemical Society
Exploring Moisture on the Outside of a Cold Cup
As a stand-alone or as part of the intended unit, this is a valid investigation of what causes condensation to occur. By limiting the amount of air around a cold cup of water and comparing it to one out in the open, they find that...
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...
Candlewick Press
A Classroom Guide to Peter H. Reynolds's Creatrilogy
Help young readers find, identify, and use their voices with a set of empowering activities based on Peter H. Reynolds' trilogy of books. Sky Color, Ish, and The Dot focus on recognizing moods and treating each other...
National Wildlife Federation
Fill the Bill
The structure of a bird's beak lends itself to specific functions. Using an assortment of everyday objects, learners mimic the behaviors of bird beaks. They learn about the habits of different birds by studying their beaks.
Curated OER
The Membrane Potential
Give this summary of 16 pages of a text to your class to deepen understanding of cell permeability, diffusion, ions, and more. The handout portion includes vocabulary clarifications, detailed color diagrams, and important information;...
Curated OER
Transport Starts With?
A fill-in-the-blank worksheet regarding transport, this handout would make a great study guide or quick homework assignment to help learners ensure they know the key vocabulary for this topic. There is no answer key, but these are...
Curated OER
How Substances Get in and out of Cells
Although it contains some formatting issues, the Word document here contains good questions about osmosis and diffusion, and is easy to edit as needed. Designed as a study guide, you could use the information here for warmups, ideas for...
National Wildlife Federation
Tree Detectives!
Trees may look pretty similar until you take a closer look. Young scientists use their observation skills to describe the difference between the bark, leaves, and seeds of different trees. They then use a field guide to identify local...
Curated OER
What is Life? Demonstrations & Discussion
Display seven items for your biologists to consider. Are they living or non-living? How can you tell? This is a simple outline of what you can display and questions that can be discussed as this topic is explored. One way to use this...
Teach Engineering
Skin and the Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation
Though UV radiation can damage skin, it isn't all bad. The third installment in a six-part series allows the class to study the structure and function of skin. They learn about the different types of skin cancer and the SPF rating...
Education Outside
Birder - Watcher
Take the class outside with a bird watching lesson. Young ornithologists participate in an outdoor activity that guides them on how to observe and study the feathered animals. After walking around school campus, bird watchers provide a...
Curated OER
Constellation Creations
Fourth graders puncture holes in black paper to represent stars in constellations. They glue white paper behind the black to show the stars. They create several constellations and keep them to use as study guides.
Curated OER
Vertebrate Classification Challenge
Students determine which animals belong to the vertebrate phyla. In this classification lesson, students are given large papers with the names of the phyla of vertebrates. They must work together to place organisms into their...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Seasons of a Plant
The third in a series of six lessons is an engaging three-part activity defines that discusses phenology, focusing on the cyclic seasons of plants. Pupils then observe phenology outside before determining how climate change can...
Maine Math & Science Alliance
Earth as a System
Ecosystem, human body system, weather system. We hear the word system a lot, but what does it really mean? In the activity, pairs or groups of learners discuss how a bicycle is a system and then analyze objects in their classroom and...
Curated OER
Radiation Budget Lesson: Exploring Albedo
Students experiment with sunlight and temperature. They study the definition of albedo, or the percentage of incoming sunlight that is reflected, rather than absorbed.
Rainforest Alliance
Climate Educator Guide
Climate change is a hot topic in the news. Class members examine carbon dioxide data to analyze trends of our atmospheric makeup over time. They also discuss climate and climate change, and determine how these changes are affecting life...
Scholastic
Will He See His Shadow? Groundhog Day Activities
What a fantastic collection of activities for celebrating Groundhog Day! This resource includes a variety of holiday reading selections, groundhog facts, links to printables, story comprehension lessons, and much more!
Curated OER
Turning the Air Upside Down
Learners analyze how engineers study temperature inversions and convection currents to understand why pollution levels may be higher in some areas than others. They participate in an experiment that allows them to build simple models to...
Curated OER
Bug Hunt
Students study the characteristics of an insect and use their newly discovered knowledge to invent their own insect. They go on a class bug hunt, using the tools and supplies that biologists use when they go out in the field.
Colorado State University
Can Energy Be Created or Destroyed?
Energy doesn't come out of nowhere! An engaging lesson has learners investigate energy as it transforms from one type to another. They collect data to prove that energy is not lost as it changes.
Curated OER
Weather Watch
Students complete a series of lessons in which they study daily weather patterns and examine extreme weather conditions. They complete activities that range from visual observation of daily weather to building a weather station and...
Curated OER
Make a Snowflake
Students study the design of snowflakes. In this snow lesson, students discover the different shapes of a snowflake, and their similarities. Students study snowflakes outside, then create their own with popsicle sticks...
Curated OER
Teaching with Nature
Students participate in a nature walk to learn about their natural environments. In this nature study lesson, students brainstorm a list of things to look for on their nature walk. Students go on the nature walk and locate objects they...