Fourth graders make a detailed observations about non-native and native grasses. They define reasonable policies that they expect to follow while working in the CRWA. Students list, in small groups, two treatments that have been used in...

These twenty various types of questions related to the cycling of matter and energy require learners to match each definition in column 1 with the correct vocabulary term from column 2. Then, students explain what is being demonstrated...

Um may be the atomic symbol for confusion, but it won't be needed in this lesson. Scholars rotate through seven stations completing experiments, hands-on activities, writing exercises, and analysis. Stations include material on...

Have your young scientists questioned why plants grow a particular way? Through this learning opportunity, scientists gain firsthand knowledge about how plants develop and various factors that affect rates of growth as they bring plants...

Fifth graders experiment to find the physical properties and commercial uses of the mineral talc. They create a soapstone sculpture and a rubric for the creation.

Learners investigate the composting process through a variety of experiments. In this ecology lesson, students discuss the benefits of composting. They examine how compost affect plant growth.

Students make a contingency plan in case of unexpected events such as bad weather. They discuss safety and appropriate conduct.They map out a schedule to ensure that sufficient time is allotted for all activities.

1. Bring two quarts of moist soil, a cake pan, a sprinkling can of water and a quart of grass clippings to class. 2. Share background material, and introduce the word "erosion." 3. Prepare a small model hill by mounding the soil in the...

Students experiment to determine the positive and negative impacts of human activities on environmental change. They examine how physical and biological processes such as decomposition affect soil characteristics while looking at the pH...

Students identify consumers and producers in different communities. Students collect a variety of soil samples and record organisms found in the samples.

Learners determine how water holding capacity influences plant growth by observing different types of soils and their ability to hold water. They record their results on a soil permeability worksheet.

Students hypothesize whether the soil sample may have lead contamination and why. They describe what they see happening with the soil samples and the corresponding swabs. Pupils write a brief description of what they observe as the...

Students study earthworms and their role in creating healthy soil for healthy food. In this earthworms and soil lesson, students complete an jug experiment to learn about the role of earthworms and healthy soil. Students read and discuss...

In this earth science worksheet, middle schoolers identify and locate various vocabulary terms pertaining to evergreen trees and other softwood trees. There are 26 earth science terms located in the word search.

Here is an in-depth, and incredibly thorough lesson plan on sustainable agricultural practices; specifically, regarding the growth of coffee. After completing and discussing a worksheet called "Thinking About Tomorrow," groups of...

Students investigate the behavior of isopods. For this isopod lesson plan, students make observations of an isopod and sketch the pillbug. They study the orientation of the isopods in relation to moisture in a chamber they construct from...

To conclude their examination of forest ecosystems, class members consider the role forests play in the carbon cycle and how forests can offset climate change.

Fifth graders describe a wetland habitat and its components. They provide, in writing, at least one example of a wetland food chain, relate wetlands to ecological functions, and relate the importance of wetland functions to their own...

Students conduct a scientific investigation about organic or inorganic waste.  In this organic or inorganic waste lesson, students create a compost heap to determine the difference between inorganic and organic waste. Students...

Learners construct a model of the hydrologic cycle, and observe that water is an element of a cycle in the natural environment. They explain how the hydrologic cycle works and why it is important, and compare the hydrologic cycle to...

Young gardners read and listen to books about seeds, plants, and the growing process. They plant seeds in plastic cups to observe the process of root-growing and plant formation. The whole class walks through a field to collect seeds...

Students investigate healthy eating habits by researching livestock. For this food sustainability lesson, students research the negative impact factory farming has on our environment due to pollution. Students define agricultural...

This complete set of instructions for creating your very own butterfly garden and habitat is so cool! With some seeds and the handy resources in this activity, you and your class will be able to determine which type of habitat is best...

Pair earth scientists up to use an amazing online arctic portal mapping tool and Google Earth to analyze permafrost changes. They compare changes to data on atmospheric concentrations of methane to see if there is a correlation. Then...