High schoolers investigate the effects of ground water contamination. In this ground water contamination lesson plan, students create a mini well and simulate ground water flow through the well with a contaminate (food coloring). They...

Second graders explore weathering and how the water cycle plays a part in weathering. In this weathering lesson plan, 2nd graders put gravel and sugar cubes in a jar and shake, simulating weathering. Students use the scientific...

Fourth graders graph the percentages of the materials that make up the Earth and complete computations based on their results.  In this topsoil lesson, 4th graders diagram the different layers of Earth's composition.

Students construct and maintain model of natural habitat, suggest improvements to the model of the natural habitat to make it more realistic and habitable, and demonstrate careful observation and recording of how animals survive in their...

Students listen to the book, The Ogre Bully, and discuss the problems the farmer and his family had during the story.  In this garden themed instructional activity, students examine different fruit and vegetables and plant them...

Students build and erode a hillside. For this earth science lesson, students build a five inch hillside in a paint pan using sand, soil, and pebbles. They pour water over the hillside to monitor the erosion and how it is...

Students create their own terrariums.  In this ecological model activity, students create terrariums using soil, seeds, pebbles, and two liter bottles.  Students compare the elements of a  terrarium to a food web.

Third graders compare the parts of a real tornado with the parts of a tornado created in a demonstration, label "Tornado Alley" on their maps, and label the locations of famous tornado disasters on their maps.

Students explore the forest. In this ecosystems lesson plan, students rotate through sensory activity centers, brainstorm, and read about temperate forests.

Students examine types of aquifers and make a model landfill. In this water usage lesson, students determine the difference between confined and unconfined aquifers. They build a model landfill, observe it for two weeks, and analyze what...

Students classify and record objects they find "underground." In this observation lesson, students dig into bins filled with soil and encounter various objects such as bark, twigs, etc. Students classify their findings.

Students build and experiment with a watershed to understand the effects of pollution. In this movement of water instructional activity, students work in groups creating rock formations and change the viscosity of the liquids falling...

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

Fifth graders explore the causes of earthquakes and the various types of fault lines through a variety of hands-on demonstrations using prepared cakes. They record their observations in their science journals.

Students read and explore a folktale from India. In this folktale lesson, students read the book Growing Gold and discuss the events from the tale. Students complete a phonics worksheet which incorporates the rhyming words from the text.

Students consider how archaeologists discovered and pieced together artifacts that indicate a Celtic presence in ancient Turkey. They research ancient civilizations and create archaeological digs containing items representative of these...

In this seismic waves worksheet, student will read information about the different types of waves that occur during an earthquake: P (Primary) waves, S (Secondary) waves, and shear waves. Then students will complete 2 short answer...

First graders make landform maps of the United States. In this landform lessons, 1st graders participate in a discussion of local landforms and make a landform map of the United States. They follow the teacher's directions to add plains,...

In this weathering learning exercise, students walk around campus and observe ten examples of both mechanical and chemical weathering. They answer questions related to their observations.

Third graders describe and label the water cycle, and list how water changes from one form to another; students use Inspiration Software to label a blank water cycle diagram.

Scholars imagine themselves as citizens of Pompeii in 79 AD. First they are assigned a job (or place in society like a child or slave). Then they record their daily activities for the weeks leading up to the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in...

Students are introduced to the processes of evaporation and condensation as they observe physical changes in water. They observe how matter changes from a solid to a liquid state. Students are explained that steam is water in its gaseous...

Fourth graders investigate the causes of erosion. Through several demonstrations including one using sugar cubes and warm water, they observe the effects of erosion. In groups, 4th graders conduct similar experiments and record their...

For this landform worksheet, students read 6 paragraphs about the process the Dutch used to build new landforms and threats they face today. After reading the background information, students complete 3 short answer questions regarding...