Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Name That Tune

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students complete a fingerprint oil lab in order to simulate how geologists use the oil and natural gas in rocks to hear sound waves that signify there are oil in those rocks. In this rocks lesson plan, students learn that the rock...
Interactive
Curated OER

Energy Alternatives and Conservation

For Students 7th - 8th
In this energy alternatives and conservation activity, students research the topic, answer 3 questions, then complete a 4 step plan to create a print or digital project.  This page has numerous links to web resources.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Coral Reefs

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students identify locations of coral reefs, both in the water and around the globe, identify relative depth of corals in the ocean by observing behavior of cold and warm saltwater, and create models of coral reefs.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Is The Juice?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to the component's of Ohm's Law. In groups, they practice their problem solving skills by reviewing problems solved earlier. They participate in activities that help them gather information on the importance of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Greenhouse Effect

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders research the Greenhouse Effect on the Internet. They use a variety of sources and take notes on the topic. They use ClarisWorks to type a report, use spellcheck, proof and edit. They can create a class bulletin board.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Daily Weather Calendar

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders use the internet to record the daily weather conditions. Using symbols, they take the information they gathered and create an easy to read chart. They share their charts with the class to end the lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Energy of Light

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discuss different ways engineers use light. For this engineering lesson, students are introduced to the properties of light and the way light is used. They view a demonstration of light waves using a slinky, and practice using...
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Measuring Earthquakes

For Teachers 4th - 8th
After a brief discussion on earthquakes, make a makeshift seismograph to record the shaking of the table that it sits upon. While the background information will be useful to you as a teacher, the seismograph does not seem like it would...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hands-On Weather Data Collecting

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study weather in their community, in the United States, and around the world. They use thermometers, the beaufort wind scale, and simple weather symbols to measure and record the weather outside their school. They also look...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hey, I've Got A Question!

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore the Solar System. They develop a research question and use inquiry-based research skills to find the answers to their questions. Students write up their findings and create a multimedia presentation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Storm Watch: Knowing What To Do

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners study the different types of weather and how storms form.  In this weather lesson students make their own "tornado in a bottle" and create brochures.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classification of Clouds

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students view a cloud slide show presentation and identify types of clouds. They estimate height based on cloud's appearance. They discuss the vague nature of cloud nomenclature and compare it to the English standard measurement system.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's Time to Make Time!

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explore the evolution of time measurement, and explain the relationship of sunrise/sunset to length of daylight. They collect data and calculations to determine length of daylight during a given day.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Whole Lotta Shaking Going On

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners explore earthquake activity in California. They observe the historical data and create databases and graphs of the earthquakes. Students analyze the data and form a hypothesis about future earthquakes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's in My Water, and How Did it Get There?

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students analyze water samples to see the contaminants and then use the Internet to find the sources of the contamination.  In this investigative water lesson students analyze water and work together to solve the mystery of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geology with Peanut Butter and Jelly

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students will enjoy smashing the two tectonic sandwich plates together in faulting and compression fashions! They may even desire to capture their instructional destruction in a slideshow.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Time of Man

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars demonstrate visually Mankind's relative place on the earth's timeline. They familiarize themselves with the use of the metric system in measuring and producting a timeline.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classifying Stars and Constellations

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine stars and constellations. In this space science lesson plan, students visit selected websites to discover information about the classification of stars. Students also practice identifying constellations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

GMOs: Should We Grow Them?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the ethics of biotechnology and genetically modifying various organisms. They complete various activities and labs on GMOs and then write a position paper regarding their individual opinions on the subject.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planets or Not, Here We Come!

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students, working in groups, research planets in terms of the size, temperature, number of moons, and potential for life. They use packets and worksheets as guides for their research. Students may role-play as aliens visiting their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy in Today's Global Society

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain how heat is used to generate and produce electricity.  In this energy lesson plan students complete several activities that show them about the different fuels used for heating. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coastal Weather Issues: Planning for a Hurricane

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders utilize internet resources to gather, analyze, and interpret hurricane data. They develop a public information booklet that be used as a guide for the community to use when preparing for a hurricane.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Minerals, Crystals, and Gems

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students discover the relationships between minerals, crystals and gems. They bring in rocks that they find at home, in the schoolyard, etc. and examine them and attempt to identify them. They set up a classroom exhibit that includes all...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock Creek Water Quality

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders test water in a local creek using chemical kits and probes. They take GPS readings and digital photos. They calculate the Water Quality Index and create a spreadsheet of the test data.