Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simulating the Greenhouse Effect in a Terrarium

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students identify what factors effect global warming and how the greenhouse effect occurs.  In this environmental lesson students view videos then complete an experiment using a terrarium to observe greenhouse gas.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tadpoles

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars examine tadpoles at various stages of development. Questions in observation category assess students' ability to use a variety of senses to observe data in a certain way-scientific way.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Backyard Critters

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students explore the characteristics of invertebrates in their backyards. They observe, describe, and classify specimens. They conclude with a "snail race."
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Designing the Experiment and Answering the Question

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Learners investigate scientific methods by analyzing an article from the Natural Inquirer.  In this data analysis lesson plan, students read an article from the magazine and discuss at least 2 scientific methods that could be used...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Swings

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars investigate variables which may seem to affect the movement of a pendulum, or "swing."They interpret their observations and apply the scientific principles to develop explanations and solve a new problem.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ice

For Teachers K - 7th
Students examine the different propereties of ice, such as freezing temperature.  In this scientific lesson students complete several activities using ice, like making ice cream.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mysterious Footprints

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners, after observing and responding to two pictures, consider the interaction of two unknown animals by examining the pattern of their footprints. They make observations, draw conclusions and propose possible explanations for the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Condensation

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students participate in the scientific process to investigate what happens to water when it evaporates by observing condensation. In small groups they observe what happens to ice in a cup, and what occurs when they hold a bowl of ice...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Materials And Their Properties

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders investigate the particulate level of solids, liquids, and gases. They examine how the particle method show the interplay between scientific theories and evidence.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Keying Rocks

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders observe several examples of types of rock and write about their similarities and differences in their science journals. They discuss their observations and discover that rocks are grouped according to the scientific...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scientist Tracking Network

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Young scholars correlate surface radiation with mean surface temperature of several geographic regions. They observe how these parameters change with latitude and construct an understanding of the relationship of solar radiation to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Structures and Behaviors of Planarians

For Teachers 2nd - 11th
Students investigate planaria of the phylum platyhelminthes. They use DigiScope technology to observe and describe the structure and movements of planarians.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Glove Gardens

For Teachers K - 5th
Students investigate how seeds sprout. In this scientific inquiry lesson, students make predictions on which seeds will grow the fastest and observe the seeds over a period of time. Observations are recorded into a journal.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fluid Thinking About Liquids and Solids

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine the physical characteristics of the different states of matter. In this chemistry lesson, 2nd graders observe how matter changes from one phase to another. They classify substances according to its type of matter.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DIY Lava Lamp

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine lava lamps and what causes them to work.  In this density lesson students make a lava lamp and write the scientific explanation of what happens.
Activity
Curated OER

The Five Life Zone Research Project

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study five of the seven life zones in North America. In this journalism lesson students use the Scientific Method working in teams. They use lab equipment and technology to create a presentation on five of the seven life zones...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Destructive Impact of Environment on Artifacts

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers recognize that artifacts are destroyed over time.  In this environmental factors on artifacts lesson, students experiment and observe through the microscope to find the environmental impact on artifacts. ...
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Identification and Classification Activities

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Explore and understand your world with taxonomy.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Comparison of Polymeric Liquids with Newtonian Liquids

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students concretely illustrate and define a macromolecule, observe the unique behavior of polymers and relate to their knowledge of molecules, and use the scientific process to determine the difference between Newtonian and non-Newtonian...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Garden Springs Gardeners"

For Teachers 1st
First graders ponder the question of how plants help their lives. They observe and compare properties of several different plants. Differentiate between living organisms and nonliving objects.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Activity Plan 5-6: Where Does the Water Go?

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Students perform an experiment to discover what happens to water as it evaporates. In this early childhood lesson plan, students observe evaporation as they conduct an experiment. Students fill cups with water, then check it daily for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plant Nutrition and Nutrients

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students observe seeds growth and examine the different parts of the seedling. In this biology lesson, students compare the growth of seeds planted in soil and in hydroponics. They record their observations in their science journal and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Magnetic Testing

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students explore magnetism. They make observations of everyday items regarding their magnetic attraction and use their experiences to make a prediction.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Follow Those Tracks

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students observe a picture containing patterns of animal tracks, infer what might have happened based upon the pattern of tracks, and write a story describing what might have happened.