Learners create a school-wide insect collection investigate the insect world. For this project, each grade level "adopts" specific orders of insects, collect specimens, create classroom collections, and complete related activities.

High schoolers examine different samples of ice and predict the amount of snow that has fallen in a given year. Using a calculator, they graph the various thicknesses. They analyze the graphs to determine the relationship between the...

Students using experiments try to demonstrate how observations can be affected by the cycles of night and day.

Young scholars discuss what to do with a very sick fish and help it to die without much pain. As a class, they answer questions about the fish and if they believe it is suffering or not. Using their own experiences, they share how they...

Fourth graders study the characteristics of five coastal communities. They use logic cards and matching activities to identify the proper community for plant and animal species.

Students explore dragonfiles/damselfiles and their behaviors. They examine their differences and their life cycles. Students observe the dragonflies in a field and determine the number of different species.

Students relate the states of matter and clouds.  In this environment lesson, students create a chart of information they know about clouds.  Students put an ice cube in a bag and tape to a window. Students watch for...

Learners measure humidity in the classroom. In this weather lesson, students use a psychrometer to measure the humidity in the classroom. Learners complete a lab packet.

Middle schoolers are able to list the types of household waste that they produce daily. They are able to describe some other types of waste that are produced by industry or agriculture to help maintain their lifestyles. Students are...

Students recognize the three main types of clouds. In this clouds lesson, students create a cloud mobile to understand clouds.

Sixth graders use the scientific method to test variables of evaporation. In this evaporation lesson plan, 6th graders test a wet handprint on a paper towel and relate this experiment to weather conditions.

Students create their own environment. In this environmental protection activity, students pretend they are the owners of a tropical island. They create jobs for the citizens and develop the island as a model environment.

Students listen to books about animals. In this animal sound and characteristics lesson, students listen to books and a tape of animal and then identify which animal makes that sound. Students discuss and act out how the animal acts.

Students monitor the weather, clouds, and sky. In this weather lesson, students create a sky and cloud window to focus their sky observations. They write observations in a notebook and include the date, time, cloud cover, types of...

Students conduct a regional watershed analysis of an area of their choosing. Using on-line data and their personal knowledge of the area, they determine the annual hydrologic budget and teach the class about "their" watershed.

Students complete activities to learn about the common land features in Alaska. In this land study lesson, students study an overhead for permafrost features. Students define ice wedge polygons, thermokarst, and pingos. Students also...

Middle schoolers explore how the angle of sunlight affects the Earth's temperature and seasons and then apply this understanding to their local situation.

Students examine physical change with different temperature and solvents. For this elements and compounds lesson, students conduct experiments to discover what happens to the mass of a substance when is undergoes a physical change.

Learners investigate various chemical reactions when creating mixtures in ziplock baggies. In this chemistry lesson, students will recognize various chemical reactions and cite evidence. Safety and assessment strategies are included in...

Learners investigate the various factors that influence the Pacific Ocean and Monterey Bay, California. They watch a video about Monterey Bay and take notes, and conduct research and write a report about a specific organism living in...

Students observe tadpoles as they gradually change into adults.  In this amphibian biology lesson, students watch tadpoles in a tank in the classroom, keep a daily record of what they observe, and chart the growth development of the...

Students demonstrate the effects of photosynthesis and respiration. They decide which variables to analyze in a microcosm study. They produce a written paper, oral presentation, poster, or multi-media presentation

Young scholars gain a sense of the delicacy and complexity of a living organism and the rather narrow range of conditions under which it can live.

Students examine a crushed rock and sort the minerals they find in that rock by color and other properties.