Biology Junction
Evolution – Diversity of Life
Scientists noticed animals with backbones share similar bone structure despite having different forms, such as fins, arms, and wings. Young scientists gain an appreciation for evolution by understanding the history of the theory. They...
Virginia Department of Education 
DNA Structure, Nucleic Acids, and Proteins
What is in that double helix? Explain intricate concepts with a variety of creative activities in a lesson that incorporates multiple steps to cover DNA structure, nucleic acids, and proteins. Pupils explore the history of DNA structure,...
Curated OER
Algae in the Aquarium
Tenth graders determine the cause of an algal bloom in a classroom aquarium.  Students analyze the situation and present a solution to the problem in the given time frame after researching and conducting experiments.  Solutions are...
NOAA
The Cycle of Water
Young water cycle enthusiasts discover the water they have been using has been cycling around the earth for billions of years. Through presentations, learners will understand that water has three states and how these forms...
Teach Engineering
Food Chains and Food Webs - Balance within Natural Systems
Feast on an informative resource. Scholars learn about food chains and food webs and how these interactions give information about the natural community. A PowerPoint presentation provides information about this concept.
Curated OER
Tissues
Complete with teachers' notes for most of the slides, this is a tremendous presentation of the four types of tissues: epithelial, connective, nerve, and muscle. Each is displayed with pertinent vocabulary and photos of microscope slides...
Curated OER
Chapter 14 Review, Section 1: Acids and Bases
An overview of acid and base compounds and their reactions is presented with this handout. Pupils name compounds and write chemical formulas. They write net ionic equations and explain how acidic solutions might conduct electricity. This...
Curated OER
Energy Transformations
Students investigate energy and energy transformations. They compare the various forms of energy, create the circuit and sketch the connections. In addition, they label the circuit to identify areas where energy transformation is present.
PBS
The Chrysalis or Pupa
What is one of the most exciting parts of a butterfly's life cycle? When it emerges from its pupa and dries its wings! This is a great activity little ones will love. They discuss what happens during the pupal stage of the butterfly life...
It's About Time
Defy Gravity
Test the limits of gravity while encouraging full class participation with this thrilling lesson. Pupils investigate the meaning of work and how it is equivalent to energy. They explore the joule and apply it as a unit of work. They...
Curated OER
Missouri Time Scale and Earth Time Scale
In this time scale worksheet, students create a time scale of Missouri and the earth using adding machine tape. The length of the tape represents the history of Missouri and the history of earth. Students identify the major events in...
Curated OER
Seeing in 3D: Interpreting Two-Dimensional Diagrams of Three-Dimensional Objects
Students hone in on their skills at reading diagrams.  In this dimensional lesson students collect information on the functions of organs then figure out how all the parts work together. 
Curated OER
Earth Time Scale
Students research the past eras in history including the Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic and the Cenozoic.  In this time scale lesson plan students take part in a lab that allows the students a better understanding of the timeline...
Curated OER
Which Way to Grow?
High schoolers diagram and discuss the effect of gravity on the growth of plant roots. Designed to demonstrate the role that the growth hormone auxin plays in the direction of root growth. They set up the experiment to test their...
Teach Engineering
Surface Tension Basics
Back to the basics (of surface tension). The first installment of a nine-part series teaches young scholars about the basics of surface tension and how it relates to water droplets. They also learn how this concept allows for the...
Columbus City Schools
It's the Heat and the Pressure?
Ready for a change? Give a comprehensive collection of metamorphic materials a try! With the assortment of printables and lab activities, you won't be under pressure to keep things lively. The unit culminates by having...
Curated OER
Trees and Erosion
Students examine the connection between trees and erosion. In this erosion instructional activity students experiment with the effects of rain on a hillside. Students investigate the number of trees and the amount of erosion.
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Campaign
The I-STOP law was designed to regulate the distribution and tracking of prescription drugs. After reading an article about its signing and implementation, middle and high schoolers work together to come up with their own ideas for an...
Curated OER
Miller-Urey Experiment Amino Acids & The Origins of Life on Earth
Students study the Miller-Urey Experiment including its history and criticism.  For this origins of life lesson students repeat this experiment to see how it works.
Curated OER
GMOs: Should We Grow Them?
Students examine the ethics of biotechnology and genetically modifying various organisms. They complete various activities and labs on GMOs and then write a position paper regarding their individual opinions on the subject.
Curated OER
Exploiting Antarctica
Students read the story and diary "Lizzie's diaries from Antarctica and Antarctica" to get massive clean-up. Students discuss their knowledge of life in Antarctica and raise the fact of the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station and its...
Curated OER
A Peek at the Past: Gradualism vs. Punctuated Equilibria
Students consider two sets of simulated fossils (caminalcules) that are provided as cutouts. They arrange them on two time scales. One set produces a visual example of gradualism, the other shows punctuated equilibria.
Curated OER
Iron in Foods
Students determine the amount of iron in a sample of cereal. For this iron lesson plan, students use a computer colorimeter to measure the amount of light absorbed by the solutions. They create a calibration curve using standard...
Curated OER
Missouri Time Scale
Pupils plot events that happened years ago beginning with volcano activity.  In this investigative instructional activity students are introduced to the different eras and plot them on a map.