Students conduct experiments demonstrating soil erosion and the benefits of conservation practices. Working in groups, they use topsoil and sand in shallow boxes as models to examine the effects of water on soil and sand with and without...

Students determine how and why soil needs to be prepared for the fall and winter seasons. In this agriculture lesson plan, students determine how to use gardening tools safely. They show how to work with compost material and fertilizer...

Fourth graders complete a variety of experiments to meet science goals.  In this life sciences instructional activity, 4th graders make yogurt, discover the attraction of opposite charges in electricity, learn the effects of...

Students take a virtual trip to a Catfish Aquaculture Pond and analyze soil bacteria to determine how many nitrogen cycle bacteria are present. They graph the number of colonies present and use data to determine ammonium levels in the soil.

Students perform experiments to determine the nutritional needs and physical space requirements for slime mold to survive. After formulating hypotheses, they seal the petri dishes and set up the experiment along with two controls. ...

Students build mine-earthworm habitats to discover their niche in them. They make predictions about what the niche looks like in a week and draw a picture of it. Students notice the tunnels in the soil and how the sand and dirt are now...

Students investigate methods of decomposition in order to make compost. In this decomposition science lesson, students set up compost bags using food and materials which decay over time. The initial lesson is approximately 30 minutes,...

Learners explore the process of photosynthesis in plants. They discuss the purpose of photosynthesis and its components. Students discuss the importance of photosynthesis for plants and they examine the parts of the plant that play an...

Students look at the crops of the settlers. In this crop instructional activity, students discuss why each crop was important to the settlers and how they used it. They plant seeds and track and observe the growth. 

Students study data from a USDA catfish pond. They look for microbial populations and chemical concentrations in the runoff to determine the effectiveness of filter strips. They use their knowledge of biogeochemical cycles to explain the...

Students use testing kits to analyze garden soil. They research the nutritional needs of various crops as well as the nutritional properties of fish. Students participate in fish harvesting for garden fertilizing.

In this science instructional activity, students answer the questions in order to master and identify the steps of the scientific method for each problem. There are various types of puzzles to be solved also.

Young scholars propose and perform an experiment using the scientific method. The purpose of the experiment is to discern some earth materials or combinations of earth materials that best increases the pH of "acid rain". From the results...

Students explore the Earth and its ability to support life. They discuss the geosphere and the water cycle and complete the Water Wonders activity. After completing the activity, they respond in their journals and reflect upon the...

In this biology worksheet, students examine the functions of plant parts while solving the crossword puzzle. This strengthens vocabulary knowledge.

Fourth graders tie together elements about the world and their environment. Students incorporate styles of higher order thinking skills. Students measure skills of observations, conclusions, inferences and predictions.

Young scholars examine the world of forensic science, focusing on fingerprint analysis. In the instructional activity, they implement a method by which fingerprints of class members are categorized and identified. Elementary students...

Sixth graders experiment with different ways to test an apple for ripeness. In this apple harvesting lesson plan, 6th graders conduct three different experiments to test apples for ripeness and carry-out four additional activities...

For this water vocabulary worksheet, students read and learn 12 words that pertain to water and the water cycle. Each word and definition is printed on a separate page in a snowflake shape.

Students identify the major components of soil, and distinguish different soils based on physical characteristics. They examine various soil samples and record their observations.

In this soil study worksheet, students color a cartoon style ant. Students also read and color the sentence: Soil is nearly half air and water!

For this soil worksheet, students color a picture of a snail, with the caption beneath reading, "Soil forms really slowly, so we have to look after it!"

In this food/soil activity, students look at pictures in rows and correctly sequence the pictures; all have to do with food production/growth. A reference web site is given for additional activities.

Students perform soil tests for pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, composition and water percolation rate and assess the conditions in the schoolyard.