Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coal Science Fair Ideas

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Learners select one of the ideas for a science project reflecting their knowledge about coal. They then choose a catchy title to spark interest that describes their project. They use the scientific method to explain the process.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Nutrient Cycles

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate the circle of sea life by creating nitrogen compound models.  In this oceanography instructional activity, students discuss sea creatures and where their waste goes.  Students identify nitrogen cycles in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weathering

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore weathering and how the water cycle plays a part in weathering. In this weathering lesson, 2nd graders put gravel and sugar cubes in a jar and shake, simulating weathering. Students use the scientific method to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Living Environment

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the cycles of an ecosystem.  In this environmental science lesson, students work in groups to research the nitrogen cycle, the water cycle, or the oxygen-carbon dioxide cycle. Students prepare a PowerPoint or other...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interactive Biogeochemical Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers gain understanding of several of the biogeochemical processes in microbial mats. They acquire knowledge of the different roles of organisms in a microbial mat ecosystem. They understand how microbial mat ecosystems...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Global Warming - The Heat is On: Global Climate Change Revisited

For Teachers 6th - 8th
After listening to your lecture on climate change, young scientists access NOAA's database listing Mauna Loa's carbon dioxide data. They graph the monthly means and then compare their graphs to NOAA's. This is a concise plan that could...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Food Chains, Food Webs, Biomass Pyramids and Cycle

For Teachers 7th - 10th
In this food chains worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle by placing 16 terms into the puzzle that match the clues given. Students review food webs, biomass pyramids, and the water cycle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Water Cycle

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine the stages of the continuous water cycle that exists on Earth. They observe a water cycle model that is set up in the classroom and write descriptions of what they see. As a class, they discuss models of the water...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Travel Solutions to Global Warming

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students research and investigate the concepts carbon cycle and fossil fuels. They graph the carbon dioxide production as well as populations of six nations. Together they generate a variety of recommendations to reduce travel=related...
Lesson Plan
National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Biomass: Biogas Generator

For Teachers 6th - 8th
It's a gas. Middle schoolers build a biogas generator following the directions in this resource. After a few days of observation, they demonstrate that the gas given off by the decomposing manure is flammable. The activity concludes as...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nitrogen Cycle

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the main concepts and ideas of the nitrogen cycle. They review key concepts covered up to this point in ecology including food chains, food webs, energy pyramids, and bio-geochemical cycles.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plant Transpiration

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars conduct various experiments to investigate plant transpiration. In this biology lesson plan, students explain how this process helps maintain the hydrologic cycle. They measure the rate of water loss in plants using a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecosystems Beneath the Surface

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders create a KWL chart about microorganisms. In this biology instructional activity, 6th graders create and label a diagram on a microbial mat. They investigate the processes involved in the carbon, oxygen and sulfur cycles.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Breaking it Down

For Teachers 4th - 12th
After challenging themselves to correctly choose the form of erosion and length of time required for a given landform to develop, earth science class members model mechanical and chemical weathering with various lab demonstrations over...
Lesson Plan
NASA

Climate Change Online Lab

For Teachers 6th - 8th
What are the key indicators that show scientists that our planet is in the fastest warming trend ever? Learners go on a WebQuest to examine the evidence for themselves. Following several links to NASA sites, kids see how the global...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Greenhouse Gases: The Chemistry Behind the Culprits

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders investigate the effect of different gases in the atmosphere. In this chemistry lesson, 9th graders explain how these gases contribute to global warming. They suggest possible solutions to this growing problem.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Effects of Photosynthesis on Plant Growth

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine the process of photosynthesis; its products and reactants, and the sequence of the process. They diagram the light reactions, record observations of plants, and discuss how difficult it is to measure plant growth as it...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Daily and Seasonal Cycles

For Teachers 1st
First graders identify the sun as a source of heat and light. They identify features of houses that help keep use sheltered and comfortable throughout daily and seasonal cycles. Students are told that summer is the best season to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mathematics of Convection: Nature's Model for Energy Production

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers conduct a series of experiments to investigate density, buoyancy and climate. In this math lesson, pupils design and build a hot air balloon to demonstrate convection. They research and write a paper about solar chimneys.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Diurnal Cycling Experiments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students carry out an experiment to monitor diurnal fluctuations in dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH, and water temperature. They determine the CO2 and pH of the samples (and optionally, dissolved oxygen). Students complete their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Go With the Energy Flow

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore energy and nutrient flow. In this science lesson, students diagram the flow of energy through food chains and food webs. Students discuss the importance of energy flow in Earth's ecosystems.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gallery Walk Questions about Energy and Material Cycles

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students state the physical, chemical or biological processes associated with these environments: Pelagic ocean zone, California coat Cave, Indiana Barrier island beach, North Carolina Sand dune, Dunes National Park, Colorado Wetland and...
Lesson Plan
Lesson Plans

Photosynthesis Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
When is the last time pupils did a happy dance in class? Scholars act out photosynthesis and dance excitedly in front of the class. The resource also comes with a worksheet for those waiting or who have already completed the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biochemical Cycles: Recycling Carbon and Nitrogen

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students construct flow diagrams of the carbon and nitrogen cycle processes. They identify sequences in each cycle that are affected by human impact and present their research to the class.