Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Seed Dispersal in Tropical Forests

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How do seeds get around? It's not like plants can control seed dispersal—or can they? Dig deeper into the amazing mechanisms of seed dispersal observed in tropical plants through interactives, a video, and plenty of hands-on data...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life Cycle of the Plant - The Pumpkin

For Teachers 1st
First graders access prior knowledge about pumpkins and read the story Pumpkin, Pumpkin. They will sequence the life cycle of the pumpkin through the use of picture cards and then sing a song about the life cycle of the pumpkin and plant...
Lesson Plan
W.K. Kellogg Biological Station

Succession: Patterns in the Field and in Seeds

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Have you been wondering how to use that natural trail at or near your school? This activity gets kids outside with a purpose: learn about ecological succession through field observations and collecting seed and soil samples. The resource...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nature Walk

For Teachers K
Students participate in a mini field trip around the neighborhood to observe nature and changes that are occurring during fall. They collect leaves of various colors, shapes and sizes on their trip. Upon return to the classroom, they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life Cycle of Trees

For Teachers 2nd - 8th Standards
Turn your students into young tree-tectives with this fun science investigation into the life of trees. To begin, a class volunteer gets dressed up in a tree costume as the different parts of trees are introduced. Then, the class...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make a Natural Weaving

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Students use natural materials and yarn to create weavings. In this natural weaving lesson, students find large branches to act as the loom, use other natural objects to act as designs within the weave, and use fine motor skills to wrap...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pumpkins-Life Cycle of a Plant

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
For this lesson, Pumpkins-Life Cycle of a Plant, students study the life cycle of a pumpkin. Students will analyze the pumpkin and how it goes from seed to pumpkin over a three days of activities. Students sing a song teaching them...
Activity
Curated OER

Comparing Seeds

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Students explore the process of growing plants from seeds. In this hands-on science experiment, students observe different seeds (store bought vs. those directly from food items) and predict growing patterns.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Seed Dispersal Investigation

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students investigate the function and purpose of seed dispersal. In this garden lesson plan, students examine the importance of wind in the plant cycle. Students construct a flying seed model from an attached design and discuss if it can...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Weather Patterns and Seasonal Changes

For Teachers K - 2nd Standards
Get your class outside to observe their surroundings with a lesson highlighting weather patterns and seasonal changes. First, learners take a weather walk to survey how the weather affects animals, people, plants, and trees during...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seed Bugs; Stage 2

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Young scholars examine nature by participating in an environmental art activity. In this imaginary creature lesson, students discuss the importance of a habitat when pertaining to wild animals or bugs. Young scholars utilize tree parts...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Estimation and Pattern Discovery

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students collect sunflower heads from their community garden. They estimate its seed count using different strategies. They graph their estimations on a graph and use calculators to find the actual total.
Lesson Plan
Western Kentucky University

Understanding Genetics: Punnett Squares

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Can scientists really predict genetic outcomes or are they simply making a lucky guess? Scholars first learn about Gregor Mendel and how to make Punnett squares. Then they extract DNA from a strawberry in a lab with included conclusion...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flying Wing

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders create a flying wing from a pastry tray. In this flying wing lesson, 5th graders understand how the shape of the wind affects flight. Students compare the flying wing to the zanonia seed in nature. Students make changes in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evolution Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the pattern of natural variation in a society. They examine Darwin's theory of evolution and analyze data. They use computer programs to graphically display the variation in organisms.
Activity
G. Turrell

Science Activity 1: Light & Sound

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Are you looking for lab sheets to go with your class experiment on plant response to light? You are no longer in the dark! This is a lesson that was written for a unit on light, but could easily be used to demonstrate plant behaviors in...
Activity
Wild BC

Maple Trees and Marmots

For Teachers K - 3rd
Kinesthetic activities simulate animal activity as the seasons progress in a lesson that introduces climate change to primary pupils. The kids role-play maple trees collecting what they need to survive, but as each year comes...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why Do Geese Fly South For the Winter?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine migration by tracing animal migration routes on a map.  In this animal life lesson, 5th graders observe a map of North America and read about the migration patterns of geese.  Students trace the path most...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Effects of Seed Soaking on Germination

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explain the standard growth pattern of a monocot seedling and word process a finished essay.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Graphing the Population Explosion of Weeds

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students are introduced to the seed cycle and draw the specific steps. In groups, they identify the human barriers to the spreading of weeds. After calculating the rate of spreading of the Yellowstar Thistle, they create graphs to see a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Weather-Tracking Tools

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students build tools to help track the weather. In this weather lesson, students follow directions to build a rain gauge, barometer and hair hygrometer.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We’ve Bean Growing: Anatomy of Germination

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students identify the main parts of a seed. In this biology lesson, students explain the factors needed for the seed to grow. They record observations everyday and report findings to class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

John Muir: Long Ago and Now

For Teachers K - 1st
Students explore nature objects brought indoors such as rocks, seeds, leaves and shells to identify where the objects came from. They hear stories about John Muir's life and make booklets about nature areas they enjoy.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flower Power

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students explore the parts of flowers and how they reproduce. They dissect flowers and observe the reproductive organs. Students observe anthers and ovaries of Tiger Lilies under a microscope. They investigate how insects and other...