Eighth graders compare their local ecological zone to the tropical rainforest. In this natural ecology lesson, 8th graders complete an activity about the differences in ecological zones. They compare their biome to the Guatemalan...

Students define recycling and design a use for old materials.

Sixth graders research how farmers irrigate, harvest, and keep high standards of rice. In this farming lesson, 6th graders discover how rice, wheat and soy beans are farmed. Students make a chart showing the similiarities and differences.

Students are introduced to the need to save natural resources. Through inquiry, hands-on activities, and problem solving, students increase their understanding of solid waste materials and the need to reduce, recycle, and reuse.

Students study urban runoff. They identify the urban runoff in a simulated area and determine peak flows using charted data. Finally, they discuss possible causes of the differences in flow rates.

Young scholars discover the role microorganisms play in our lives. For this decomposition lesson, students examine decaying foods and plants in order to analyze the different bacteria that grows. Young scholars discuss the good and bad...

In this carbon cycle lesson, middle schoolers review the carbon cycle and visit stations in the room where they experience every phase in the carbon cycle. Young scholars journal about their journey through the cycle and brainstorm...

In this weathering worksheet, students compare the two types of weathering: mechanical and chemical. This worksheet has 11 matching questions.

Students create a landscape design using shapes, colors and textures. A key is created with hyperlinks to information reports pertaining to the plants, trees and shrubs used in the design. Explore design principal utilizing a variety of...

As part of an exploration of plants, learners engage in projects to design greenhouses, grow vegetables, and other endeavors. This 20 question activity packet could be used as a classroom mini-lesson or as the start to a long-term project.

Students experiment to determine the best watering schedule to use when growing grass. In this grass watering lesson, students examine rye grass seeds and discuss the role roots play in keeping grass healthy. They grow rye grass in clear...

Students explore the possibility of life on Mars and what that might look like.  In this planetary lesson students complete several activities on looking for life on Mars. 

Structure and Function SynopsisStudents choose some biological object, examine its structure, and identify or speculate on one particular function. Next they create a blueprint of the object, focusing on the particular function. Then...

Students write from an animal's perspective. In this writing instructional activity students explore the landscape of San Francisco prior to the arrival of the explorers. Students research animals indigenous to the area.

Students watch a classroom demonstration, and experiment to discover the five ways that Earth's crust shifts along a fault.

Students explore habitats. In this habitat  activity, students break into groups and are labeled as a part of a habitat. Students then do an activity with yarn that shows how all of the parts are connected and depend on...

Students identify and explain the parts of a flower and their role in the life cycle of flowering plants, including pollination, seed dispersal, and germination. Students recap the following information: that plants need light, warmth,...

Young scholars participate in activities that familiarize them with what Earth Day is, why it is important, and why it is a celebration.

Learners build a model to simulate parts of the water cycle. They recognize and explain the essential elements of the water cycle.

Learners discuss the salt marsh. They define the following terms: habitat, water, land and air. Students work in small groups. They are asked why are they going to a salt marsh? Learners discuss whose habitat is it at the salt marsh.

In this human impact on the environment worksheet, students fill in the blanks to complete sentences about how humans have negatively affected the environment. They complete sentences about the actions taken to reduce and repair the...

Students understand the definition of hydroponics. In this space hydroponics less, students simulate the experiment conducted in space. Students answer questions based on their experiment.

Students read an article and learn about building green.  In this environment lesson, students visit a website to learn about Mark Baker and Nonnie Chrystal.  Students write down the three events that led them to explore...

Students examine how to dispose of waste properly and discover how pollution affects plants and animals that live in streams. In this effects of waste lesson, students explore biodegradable detergents and the concept of dilution as the...