First graders describe what help seeds need to grow, including light, water, good soil, and warmth, observe and discuss what happens when seeds do not have help, and state similarities and differences among seed growth.

In this instructional activity, Summer Water & Sand Activity: Mud Pies and More, students investigate mud while playing and creating with it. Students understand mud, what it is, and how it is formed. Students develop their...

Young scholars conduct an experiment to observe photolysis in the lab. In this chemistry lesson plan, students explain the mechanism behind photolysis. They test the impact of a non-toxic marker to plant metabolism.

Young scholars sequence stages in the life of a wheat plant. They identify the six main parts of the wheat plant. They plant some kernels of wheat in the classroom so students can watch the growth and development. They record the...

Students examine the rock cycle and the path that rocks go through to rearranged in different ways. They define key vocabulary terms, then in small groups conduct a variety of experiments using crayon shavings as simulated rocks and...

Young scholars investigate the effects of ground water contamination. In this ground water contamination lesson plan, students create a mini well and simulate ground water flow through the well with a contaminate (food coloring). They...

Students use all of their senses to explore a fresh, delicious pineapple. For this early childhood lesson plan, students engage in activities that encourage sensory exploration, problem solving, creative-thinking, language skills, and...

Students investigate how plants grow in different biomes. In this biomes lesson plan, students plant sees of impatiens, lima beans and rye seeds in egg cartons. When the plants begin to grow they simulate the assigned biome conditions...

In this erosion deposition worksheet, students fill in 36 blanks to complete sentences about the formation of soil, the forces of erosion, physical and chemical weathering, sediments and soil deposition.

Fourth graders experiment with different varieties of plants and draw conclusions after performing a series of lab activities. A very helpful student worksheet is given. This is a nicely done introductory lesson for life science.

Students investigate the types of waste created by people and identify various options for trash disposal. They read and discuss a handout about what a landfill is and the different types of trash, match types of trash with the proper...

Students answer a quiz on rainforests. They plan an advertising campaign to let consumers know the effect their purchases are having on the environment. They list the reasons for deforestation and possible alternatives.

Young scholars use the GLOBE Website to locate and study environmental data. They use the GLOBE Graphing Tool to display data. Students describe the role of solar energy in the annual fluctuations of soil moisture. They describe...

Students become familiar with the materials needed to build a terrarium. In this terrarium lesson, students create a terrarium in a bottle and observe how it grows and takes care of itself.

Fourth graders graph the percentages of the materials that make up the Earth and complete computations based on their results.  In this topsoil instructional activity, 4th graders diagram the different layers of Earth's composition.

Students explore how seeds travel. For this seed disbursement lesson, students head outside in their bare socks. Students walk around then before going inside they take the socks off and examine what their socks picked up. As a class the...

Students experiment with capillary action. Capillary action enables soil moisture to move in any direction within the soil as water moves from wet areas to drier areas. Capillary rise of water occurs especially in and regions where...

Second graders conduct a plant experiment.  In this basic needs of plants lesson, 2nd graders observe plants for two weeks. Students record data from their plants in journals. 

Students explore the importance of natural resources. They are given copies of the story, "Who Cares For The Land," and students follow along as the teacher reads it. Students identify the key points in the story. (Soil, water and air...

Students explore irrigation. In this science lesson plan, students show that water is necessary for plant growth and show how a dam can turn a nearly useless water way into a valuable form of irrigation.

Students discover decomposition. In this environmental lesson, students explore different types of decomposers and their role within the ecosystem. Students also discover how waste interferes with the decomposition process.

Students examine how plants are able to adapt to their ecosystem and the role that fire plays in changes through the years.  In this ecosystem lesson students complete several exercises focussing on plants and their adaptations to.

Students design water filtration systems. They draw sketches and write paragraphs about their systems. After presenting their systems to the class, each group then builds their system and determines its effectiveness for purifying...

Learners create an ecosystem in a jar to show a model of the water, carbon, and nitrogen cycle. Working in small groups, they research and present orally the information they find on this cycle.