Fourth graders participate in an activity dealing with the environment.

Middle schoolers review the components of the scientific inquiry method. In groups, they identify and describe the components and functions of all of the parts of a plant. Using a diagram, they label the parts of the plant chosen and...

Students study ecosystems and the biodiversity within.  In this ecosystems lesson plan students complete a lab activity and assess the biodiversity in their own community.

Students participate in numerous activities to gather information about parts of the life cycle. In this life science lesson, the teacher choose from a number of activities to create or support an interdisciplinary unit about the life...

Students participate in hands-on acticities to understand how native plants and animals arrived on Hawaii from long distances without the assistance of man. They then identify what characterizes a plant or animal as native vs. non-native.

Students use outline maps to become acquainted with Costa Rica. They see how it was formed and how its origin has created very diverse environments. Students then use atlases and compare their physical maps with maps of climate and the...

Middle schoolers compare and contrast the different characteristics of animal-like, plant-like, and fungus-like protists. They list examples and describe the characteristics shared by the three protist groups. They create a brochure or...

Students examine the role photosynthesis plays in plant survival.  In this renewable energy instructional activity students document their observations and analyze and interpret their results. 

Students study the geologic history of terrain, soils, and drainage patterns. They recognize ecological processes that determine the dynamic nature of habitats. They investigate the influence of human activity on the landscape.

Students explore the concept of biodiversity. For this environmental science lesson, students use field methods to examine the trophic relationship that allows for species diversity.

Students study seamounts and learn the importance of structures to species. In this ocean explorer lesson, students participate in an activity that teaches them how to modify a seamount so that they are more suitable for species. 

Students draw animals and plants that are described to them as they read passages of people who traveled across the Gila Trail in the Southwest. In this Gila Trail lesson plan, students also write a letter describing a plant or animal in...

Students use a written key or illustrated key to identify fungi on plant leaves into its genus based on sexual or asexual reproduction, host range diversity, and host-parasite relationships.

Students examine edible plants by identifying salad ingredients. In this botany lesson, students discuss the different vegetables that can be eaten in a salad and draw them on a worksheet. Students review vegetable vocabulary and examine...

Students explore limu. In this cross curiculum botany and art project, students view a limu-picking film and then collect several species of limu. Students follow a sequence of instructions using limu, card stock and wax paper to create...

Students explore concepts of plants they eat, where and how they grow and are introduced to genetic diversity. They examine seed characteristics, look at their different sizes, shapes and germination time. They also set up seeds to...

Learners identify individual organism, a species, and a population within the study community. They identify biotic factors at the site and attempt to characterize the site's species diversity.

Student develop a hypothesis regarding the effects of either mowing or fertilizer upon the diversity of plant species in a grassland ecosystem. They set up experiment field plots and measure species richness.

Students interview wildlife experts to gain information needed to research and write a report about an aquatic plant or animal affected by climate change.

Students explore how archaeologists and other scientists use different clues to piece together a picture of the past. Students perform activities that allow them to conduct three types of scientific research. They discuss their...

Eighth graders analyze the Native American's viewpoint of the Homestead Act. Using one Native American group who lived in Nebraska, they write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper discussing the Homestead Act and how it affected...

Young scholars discuss the uses and availability of natural resources in China and Japan and how those resources effected visual art from each country. This activity includes two possible enrichment activities.

Students are introduced to the culture of the Kumeyaay. Using their text, they discover how they used their native flora and fauna in San Diego. They participate in a matching game and examine the types of organisms who make their home...

Students examine the impact of pollution. In this pollution instructional activity, students watch Protecting Our Planet, then participate in a simulation of the effect of pollution on a variety of organisms.