Curated OER
Natural Hazards
Learners evaluate the hazards of naturally occurring events. After watching a video concerning safety hazards, students work in groups to discuss the safety issues involved in taking a trip to a mountainous region. Recommendations are...
Curated OER
Soil Analysis
Students examine zip lock bags of clay, silt, and sand to determine its origin. They rotate through stations to compare different soils and perform oil separation and Tullgren funnel tests.
Curated OER
Detecting Magnetic Materials in "Martian" Soil
Students simulate some of the Pathfinder experiments by devising methods of collecting and measuring magnetic substances in pseudo-Martian soil. The efficiency of each of the methods used to collect materials is evaluated in this...
Curated OER
Look Out, Below!
Students study the four layers of soil while identifying the substances that each level is composed up. They investigate the properties of soil such as color, texture, water retention and the ability to maintain life by growing a plant.
Curated OER
What is a Ruminant?
Students examine the way bison eat and digest their food. Using a diagram, they follow the food from one compartment to the next. They discover that bison are ruminants and discuss why the bison need four stomachs.
Curated OER
Life's Big Questions: Where Did Life Come From?
Students explore the life forms that live in the hot springs of Yellowstone. They examine how microscopic creatures can survive in these extreme conditions. Students perform experiments to observe growth samples and demonstrate how a...
Curated OER
What's Under There?
Young scholars determine ways to make "observations" about unknowns, such as the land beneath an ice sheet or the interior of the Earth, using tools other than sight. They build "mystery boxes" and exchange them with other groups to...
Curated OER
Jupiter's "Monstrous" Magnetosphere
Students explore Jupiter's magnetosphere. In this Jupiter lesson, students examine a diagram of the magnetic field that surrounds Jupiter.
Curated OER
Water Quality
Students play the role of scientists testing for water quality in the area. In this ecology lesson, students determine the water sample's pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. They write a journal reflection after the activity.
Curated OER
Soil Scrolls
Third graders examine soil samples and explore the what happens in each layer of the subsoil. They work in cooperative groups to create a scroll that shows what takes place in each layer, and discuss why much of the activity is in the...
Curated OER
Rockin' Map Summaries
Students summarize a piece of text. After reviewing the correct way to read and summarize, students work in groups to summarize a piece of text assigned by the instructor. They write a summary paragraph by creating a story map and the...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Your Family Does What?
Sixth graders compare and contrast their own personal culture with that of Japan. They fill out questionnaires, compile the results, and match them with Japanese answers to the same forms. Students create a Venn diagram of the...
Curated OER
Understanding the Geologic Timescale
Students identify and analyze how the geologic time scale was developed by investigating 11 periods of time and the vast expanse of time of the Earth's existence. They study their period, determine the important factors indicative to...
Curated OER
Creating Journals
Students take a virtual tour of Yosemite and selects photographs to use in their journal.
Curated OER
Chemical Bonding
Eighth graders identify the three main types of chemical bonds. In this chemistry instructional activity, 8th graders draw Lewis dot diagrams of elements and determine the bond formed. They create a model water molecule.
Curated OER
Suitcase, Parfleche and 'Isaptakay
Third graders explore farfeche and how the Nez Perce people use natural materials to derive colors for their artwork. They explore traditional paints and dyes used by the Nez Perce and create their own parfleche 'isaptakay.
Curated OER
The Story of Hot Springs, 1500-1900 AD
Students study the geology and hydrology of Arkansas hot springs and how they contributed to the development of the city of Hot Springs. They create advertisements for the city of Hot Springs and the therapeutic effects of the waters.
Curated OER
Limited Resources - Understanding Our Cultural Resources
Young scholars examine and compare preserving natural resources and preserving cultural resources. They conduct Internet research on two topics, and write a position paper on whether cultural resources or natural resources are more...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Minerals, Crystals, and Gems
Through this series of three lessons, students will gain an understanding of the basics of mineral science. In their investigation they will also work through the scientific process as they practice their observation skills, form...
Minerals Ed
Mineral Resources Education Program of Bc: Teacher Resources
Teachers find resources connected to the minerals industry of British Columbia, including comprehensive units for all grade levels, with specific curriculum links to provincial curriculum, and integrated science kits.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Investigating Different Rock Types
In this investigation, learners explore the characteristics of various types of rocks.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Building Geology: Rock and Mineral Hunt
Students will use their observational skills to examine rocks they find on the exterior of the school building and on the ground on the campus.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Rocks
For this classroom guided inquiry lesson, students will become geologists. They will investigate rocks and the properties we can use to describe them. Students will observe, record, and reflect on their findings. They will record their...
![Caterpillar: Ground Rules: Mining Right for a Sustainable Future [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Caterpillar: Ground Rules: Mining Right for a Sustainable Future [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
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Caterpillar: Ground Rules: Mining Right for a Sustainable Future [Pdf]
This set of lesson plans was developed to accompany Ground Rules: Mining Right for a Sustainable Future, a documentary film created by Caterpillar and Science North. They introduce students to the various phases involved in mining,...