Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stem Cells: 5 Year Progress Report

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students explore different aspects of stem cells.  In this human biology lesson, students complete numerous activities including reading an article and discussing it, watching a video on stem cells reproducing over time, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Elements of Biology: Genetics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study genetic manipulations and identify the solutions that could help to solve a problem.  In this genetics lesson plan students divide into groups and research genetics for a debate. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Differential Thermal Calorimetry

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students access prior knowledge of infrared rays, ultraviolet rays, gamma rays, x-rays and cosmic waves. In this electromagnetic waves lesson, students hold a mock trial electromagnetic spectrum. Students present characteristics of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Yellowstone Fires

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students assume the role of environmental biologists and help several government agencies resolve the debate surrounding "let it burn" policies in national parks.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

SeaWorld: Education, Entertainment, or Exploitation?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students discuss SeaWorld, research marine animal biology, investigate one animal currently collected by SeaWorld, and decide whether they oppose or support SeaWorld's collection policy. Students then gather information relating to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coral Bleaching: Making Our Oceans Whiter

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students study coral reefs and the controversy over coral bleaching. They role-play a debate over the issue and come up with a compromise to protect the reefs and the economies that depend on them.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Whose "Truth" Is Out There?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read article It's a Fact: Faith and Theory Collide Over Evolution, and examine different ways people arrive at what 'the truth' is, focusing on the evolution vs creationism debate that has been a hot topic throughout the 20th...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Viruses and Host Evolution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are organized into groups of four. On Day 1 they are given a worksheet about viruses and their effects on the evolution of a rabbit population. After about 30 minutes of group work, a class discussion of the material begins. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climate Change Effects on Organisms and Ecosystems: You are the Experts!

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders research about the effect of climate on different ecosystems. In this life science lesson, 7th graders present their research by creating a poster, infomercial, skit or song. They discuss how organisms adapt to climate...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wanted: A Breath of Fresh Air

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars examine the causes and effects of air pollution, as well as ways in which various industries and government organizations are aiming to control it. They research the topic on the Internet and create posters based on their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What are the Ethical Considerations of Radon?

For Teachers 8th - 10th
In this radon contamination worksheet, students explore the legal and ethical issues associated with radon found in indoor air of homes. Students construct a set of laws that promote fairness to all sellers, buyers and real estate agents...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cord Blood Banking and Transplantation

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore stem cells. For this stem cell lesson, students research print and Internet sources regarding types of stem cells and their attributes. Students discuss their research findings participate in a debate about cord blood...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 16: DNA Technology

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners research different areas of biotechnology. For this biology lesson, students create a presentation about their research. They debate the topic presented and share their views on the subject.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evolution: The Great Debate

For Teachers 8th - Higher Ed
Students discover how research and questioning are things that must be done in order to form a valid opinion.  In this critical thinking lesson plan students answer questions and provide evidence to support their argument. 
Lesson Plan
PBS

America's Infrastructure: Miller Center National Discussion Debate Series

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Junior high and high school learners study infrastructure and its relationship to the current economy. They review handouts, watch a PBS clip, and review case studies in order to answer provided questions and role play over...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jurassic Park Debate

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students research behavior, phsyiology, and ecology of dinoaurs. Students role-play as scientific specialists such as geneticists and ecologists. They present their research findings in a research paper.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Timber Harvesting: A Civic Debate, Day 1

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders develop an understanding of the strategies used in the sustainability of forests.  In this timber harvesting lesson students identify and analyze the importance of forests and their management techniques. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Timber Harvesting: A Civic Debate

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders analyze and identify the importance of our forests and how to manage them properly.  In this tree lesson students read forestry material and come up with different alternatives to the identified problems. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Salmon vs. Dams: The Dam Removal Debate on the Elwha River

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers use roll playing to discuss the merits of tearing down these dams so that the Elwha River can run free. The activity is presented in the form of a council meeting to encourage students to try to build consensus in finding...
Lesson Plan
1
1
PHET

Planet Designer: Martian Makeover

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Mars used to have liquid water, can you make it come back? Use the instructional activity and simulation to understand why Mars lost its magnetic field, why atmosphere is important, and what gravity has to do with it. This is...
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Ellis Island—The “Golden Door” to America

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Are you one of the 100 million Americans whose ancestors passed through the doors of Ellis Island? Learn about the historic entry point for immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with an informative reading passage. After...
Lesson Plan
Advocates for Human Rights

The Right to a Clean Environment in the United States

For Students 8th - 12th
Even if a school has gone digital, chances are there's still plenty of paper being used. The three activities help scholars learn about the environmental impact of paper and another consumer products of their choosing, the issue of...
Unit Plan
New York City Department of Education

Grade 4 Literacy in English Language Arts: A Call to Action

For Teachers 4th Standards
You have the power! Scholars learn that they have power of the pen in their writing. After reading and viewing various sources about standardized testing, they express their own opinions about the testing by writing letters to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Has It Been? Tracking the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker

For Teachers 5th - 8th
By studying the assumed extinction, and subsequent rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, learners use maps and come up with a scenario for the rediscovery of the bird. This incredibly thorough lesson plan is chock-full of...