Curated OER
Will they grow?
Third graders plant seeds and see how they will grow in a specific temperature and are questioned about different environments and how they think crops would grow there. They form a hypothesis, perform an experiment, and then collect...
Curated OER
Year 2004 Quiz
Students are able to use computers and answer questions about the years 2000-2004. They click on the globe at the end for the answers. Students can use this opportunity to delve into the topics in more detail and give more speaking...
Curated OER
Science: Backyard Bugs Data Collection
Students practice data collection skills by observing common bugs found in their local environment. Once the data is collected they complete data sheets to compare, contrast, sort, and classify the insects. The instructional activity...
Curated OER
Science: Bugs and Body Parts
Students determine the function of various insect parts they have observed. Using descriptive words, they explain the insects' characteristics and draw pictures of them. The lesson concludes with students writing short sentences...
Curated OER
Observing Fruits and Seeds
Third graders discuss what they think the word "observation" means and discover different ways that we observe. They observe as the teacher demonstrates how to use a hand lens as a tool for observing tiny details. They then use hand...
Curated OER
Sea Ice Research
Students study sea ice and its importance in climate and climate change. They discuss sea ice as a presence of a food source for marine animals in the arctic and complete a lab activity. After completing the lab, they watch a video...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Zombie Autopsies: Publish or Perish, for Real
An excellent lesson where students are guided in how to write an article for publication in a scientific journal. Includes downloadable lesson and student handout.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Schoolyard Bio Blitz
For this activity, students visit a small section of the schoolyard and record observations in a scientific journal. They will observe different things as the school year progresses, including ecological relationships, human impact on...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Scientific American: Pieces of Mind: What's in a Dream?
Explore recent scientific investigations in sleep and dreams. Keep a journal to track sleep and dream activity, and find examples of ways sleep and dreams are used as images in popular culture.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Scientific American: Prime Time Primates: The Mating Game
Emulate the work of primatologists by observing animals in a zoo environment. Record observations as entries in a journal, and prepare a final report of your conclusions.
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Are You Afraid of the Dark?
Come and discover ways to see in the dark! Students will conduct an investigation on light and dark. The investigation will allow students to gather evidence on how items illuminate. Using cause and effect, the students will demonstrate...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Bacteria Growth Inquiry: Bodily Bacteria and Healthy Hygiene Habits
In this inquiry activity, groups of young scholars will generate investigable questions to explore the link between hygiene/cleanliness and bacteria growth/population. They will record their processes and reflections in a journal and...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Birds: How Do We Increase the Bird Population at Our School?
This is a instructional activity of how to improve our environment as well as how to enjoy it. The students will sit in the schoolyard, study pictures of birds and then compile similarities and differences. Students will observe live...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Schoolyard Field Guide and Flower Part Identification
For this activity, learners observe plants in the schoolyard and record their observations and ideas in a science journal. They will learn the parts of a flower and make a detailed examination of a chosen part.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Observing Living and Non Living Components of an Ecosystem With a Partner
For this activity students will observe a square foot of an ecosystem surrounding our elementary school. They will keep a journal to record the physical elements of their area. It will include both written details and drawings. They will...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: A Data Rich Exercise for Discovering Plate Boundary Processes
This article in the Journal of Geoscience Education describes a classroom exercise based on four world maps containing earthquake, volcano, topographical and seafloor age data. Young scholars participate in this exercise by using a...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: "Mystery and the Unknown": Teaching Inquiry Through Aquatic Exploration
This field experience takes place at our school site pond. Students will use inquiry and direct observation to discover the types of aquatic animals that live in our school site pond. Students will record their findings in a journal, and...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Botany Scavenger Hunt Where's the Ginkgo?
Students use a science nature journal to log in plants native to Alabama. They sketch pictures of leaves, identify the special characteristics of the plant, and describe the environment where it was found. They also research special...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: The American Red Squirrel an Outdoor Inquiry Lesson
For this activity, young scholars are presented with red pine cones that have been partly eaten by the American Red Squirrel, a fact that is not divulged to them at this stage. After a discussion of the possibilities, the class takes a...
Other
Illinois Wesleyan Univ.: Tardigrade Species Distribution Project: Lesson Plan
This lesson plan was for classes that participated in a research project on tardigrades that took place in 1999. Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are fascinating, tiny creatures that can survive under the most extreme conditions....