Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Graphing Changes in Weather

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students graph current temperature and weather conditions for three days.  In this weather lesson, students go to the Weather Channel's website and look up weather for their zip code then graph the conditions and record the current...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constellations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the major constellations. After reviewing the Earth's basic motions and their significance, students discuss the moon's orbit and revolutions. Using a Digitarium Alpha portable planetarium projector, they observe at...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Retrograde Motion of Mars

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers investigate the motion of Mars. In this space science lesson, students use transparencies to trace the path of Mars through constellations. Middle schoolers discuss the characteristics of the planet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climatology Forecasting

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students make weather predictions using the climatology method. In this climatology lesson, students review using trends and persistence when forecasting weather. Students discuss the climatology method for forecasting and complete the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shadows All Around Us

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Young scholars create shadows. In this shadow casting lesson, students read books about shadows, view a demonstration on shadow casting and then practice shadow casting on their own. Young scholars cast a shadow using the position of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Role of Fire in Healthy Prairie, Brush and Forest Lands

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast wildfires and prescribed fires. In this earth science lesson, students conduct a series of experiment to explore fire characteristics. They describe favorable conditions to start a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Habitat Collage

For Teachers K
Students explore habitats. In this science lesson, students discuss habitats and the insects that are found within each habitat. Students create a habitat collage.
Lesson Plan
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Rube Goldberg

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Pupils study Rube Goldberg machines. In this architecture lesson, students build a Rube Goldberg machine.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Cycle Stories

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students explore the water cycle. In this water cycle lesson plan, students simulate the water cycle by placing an ice cube in a Ziploc bag and observing the changes which occur over time. Students record the mass of the Ziploc bag and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Create Your Own Animal

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students design and create their own hypothetical animal. In this biology lesson, students identify the factors organisms need to survive. They classify their animals according to its correct phylum.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discover the differences between: reduce, reuse, and recycle by performing hands on examinations. They list what would happen to the soil if we allowed the earth to wash away and briefly discuss the meaning of erosion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Pollution

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore the causes of water pollution. In this environmental lesson plan, students conduct experiments with natural filtration systems.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water 1: Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore forms that water can take and examine the water cycle. In this hands-on science lesson, students participate in activities that require them to change water to a solid and back to a liquid again.
Lesson Plan
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Landforms

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students research landforms created by tectonic movement.  For this landforms lessons, students discuss caves, canyons, mountains, valleys, and undersea vents and the ecosystems unique to these environments.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Our Watershed System

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study watersheds and examine how they are composed.  In this watershed system activity students explain how water enters a watershed and the concept of stream order. 
Lesson Plan
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students develop a recycling plan. For this environmental lesson, students develop a recycling plan for their school. Students write an outline of the plan to present to their class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Taking a Stand: Pros and Cons of Forest Fires

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students explore the pros and cons of forest fires. In this science lesson, students research the ecological implications of forest fires. Students record their findings in journals and compose a persuasive e-mail to government officials.
Lesson Plan
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Become an Expert

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students practice their researching techniques by preparing a presentation with little notice.  In this information research lesson plan, students utilize the Internet to research one of several subtopics concerning panthers....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Food Chains

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students create their own food chains on Kidspiration starting from the energy of the sun and what it creates. In this food chains lesson plan, students learn about how insects eat plants and so on.
Lesson Plan
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Astrology: Fact or Fiction?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the topic of astrology and review the beliefs behind it. They read sample horoscopes. Using a portable digital planetarium, they view the night sky and the zodiac constellations. They examine and discuss the science...
Lesson Plan
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Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

A Classroom Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Create a scaled model of our solar system in your classroom! Scholars work collaboratively to build paper mache planets and hang them in their proper position to showcase each planet's location in the solar system.   
Lesson Plan
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My Time

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils create a timeline of their lives. In this timeline lesson, students discuss relative and absolute time. They use events in their lives to create categories on a timeline. They link this lesson to geologic timelines.
Lesson Plan
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Moist Air & Clouds

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study the weather and water cycle of clouds. In this water cycle lesson, 5th graders read background information about evaporation, condensation, and the states of water.
Lesson Plan
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Changing Weather: Comparing Climate from Voyageur Times to Today

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders compare climates. In this weather lesson, 5th graders observe and record weather observations and discuss the impact of weather on people. Students also discuss the concept of global warming and determine how weather...