Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocky Intertidal Field Trip

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate tides and the land submerged under them.  In this intertidal field trip, Students visit the intertidal zone and observe the habitats and animals that live there.  Students view the pools under rocks where...
Lesson Plan
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Spying on Spiders

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students investigate spiders. In this spiders lesson, students create a habitat for a spider with a jar, twigs, and dirt. Students observe the behavior of the spider and record how they spend their days.
Lesson Plan
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What Do You Know About the Birds Around You?

For Teachers K
Students compare and contrast various species of birds. After participating in a brief discussion of the characteristics of birds, they view birds in their natural habitat and in pictures with a focus on the similarities and differences...
Lesson Plan
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Weather and Oceans: Uneven Heating of the Earth

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students investigate what causes the heat on Earth.  In this Earth heating lesson, students experiment with different heat sources and determine where the Earth gathers the most heat.  Students explore vocabulary words...
Lesson Plan
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Was Goldilocks Telling the Truth?

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the movement of heat between objects. In this heat lesson, 6th graders use the scientific method to conduct guided experiments regarding conduction, convection, and radiation.
Lesson Plan
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Introduction to Measuring the Forest

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigate how much wood is in a forest. For this forestry lesson, students calculate how much usable wood comes from the forest. They will read, Sizing Things Up from Trees + Me = Forestry, measure firewood piles, and create a...
Lesson Plan
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Behavior Of Substances At Different Temperatures

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders are involved in a lab experience to look at the concept of heating up various materials to see how they react to an increase in temperature. They make observations and record them in a lab journal. Then students discuss...
Lesson Plan
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A Bright Idea

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars establish an understanding of electricity and then demonstate that understanding by creating a basic experiment involving a lemon battery. They reflect on the importance of electricity.
Lesson Plan
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Soil Analysis Lesson Plan

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners practice calculating density and examine examples of the physical characteristics of soil. They solve a "crime" based on the evidence and laboratory investigations.
Lesson Plan
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Writing About Winter

For Teachers K
Students investigate the concept of winter as a season and they write an essay as a reflection upon the acquiring of new information. The class should have a list of vocabulary or a word wall available for observation to aid in the...
Lesson Plan
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Ant City

For Teachers K - 1st
Students develop an ant colony that adults and children can visit. Students create different areas including places where tourists can view live ants, play ant games, research facts about ants, and create ant art. Students serve as...
Lesson Plan
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Is Every Color in the Rainbow?

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students discuss whether all colors are in the rainbow. In this physics lesson, students defend their ideas and present persuasive arguments to support them.
Lesson Plan
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Introduction to Recycling

For Teachers K
Students read a story about recycling, and then identify 3 different objects that can be recycled on a worksheet of numerous items. In this recycling lesson plan, students also write a sentence about recycling.
Lesson Plan
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Sound Waves

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders discover how sound is made from vibration and moves in all directions from the source in waves. They see that sound waves can be "seen" if they are translated into light. An excellent experiment is imbedded in this...
Lesson Plan
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Electrolysis of Water

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders examine the electrolysis of water by completing an experiment.  In this water lesson students will explain how hydrogen can be extracted from water and how energy flows through an electrolysis system. 
Lesson Plan
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Rapid Ecological Assessment

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students conduct an ecological assessment of a small area on school property and apply findings to the greater area. They inventory the plant and animal population of a sample area and extrapolate results to a larger area.
Lesson Plan
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Sustainable Agriculture

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore examples of methods utilized in traditional agricultural practices. They state examples ot methods used in sustainable agricultural practices. They draw conclusions from information presented to them.
Lesson Plan
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Worm Bin Project Data Exchange

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students work collaboratively to exchange data with their peers (groups of students at other schools) about their worm bin project. They discuss differing findings and hypothesize reasons for these differences.
Lesson Plan
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Is Temperature Effected By How Close You Are to the Equator

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students collaborate with other schools to gather temperature data from a large number of locations. They determine how the average daily temperature of a location is affected by how close you are to the equator.
Lesson Plan
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Seeing Stars

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners explore the history of planetariums and the features of the Hayden Planetarium as a springboard to planning, developing and displaying their own planetarium exhibits.
Lesson Plan
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Replicating Controversy

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Student act as a research scientists and investigate the development of animal and human cloning. They then report their findings, both orally and visually, to their "colleagues" at a symposium on cloning research. Learners explore the...
Lesson Plan
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Squaring Off

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students define examples of patterns and explore the makeup and purpose of patterns found in nature. They create models illustrating the patterns researched in class and relaying the purpose of patterns in various natural objects.
Lesson Plan
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Creek Restoration Project

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students gather and analyze scientific data from a local creek. Over weeks or months, students observe their local environment, collect water samples, and evaluate test results. Extension activities are suggested for evaluating...
Lesson Plan
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Weather: It Works, or Not?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students discover the techniques meteorologists use to examine the atmosphere. In groups, they build their own weather station and observe the various weather conditions. They identify the types of weather patterns that allow the...