Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moving the Earth

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders simulate the three primary types of fault movement lateral fault, reverse fault, and normal fault by positioning their hands and applying pressure to them to observe the similar action taking place in the Earth's crust.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth's Ecology

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students investigate the three states of water. In this physical science lesson, students watch the video "Earth's Ecology" and observe water in its' three states. Students record observations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Greening of Mars: The Changes Necessary to Sustain Life on Mars

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discuss the currents conditions on the planet of Mars. In groups, they work together to develop a mechanism that allows for a balanced ecosystem to survive on the planet. After presenting their ideas to the class, they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climate Change

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students compare weather data and draw conclusions. In this climate change lesson plan, students determine whether data collected over a period of ninety years shows a warming trend. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Studies of Earth

For Teachers All
Using a digital camera to document local landscapes as they are today, students will explore how changes in human land use are impacting local environments. Students will also explore some of the social impacts of various land uses in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth: Land Use Picture Project

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore how changes in human land use are impacting local environments. They also explore some of the social impacts of various land uses in their area. They identify and discuss some social impacts of the different land uses.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Early Earth History

For Students 7th - 9th
In this earth history worksheet, students answer 12 questions about geological time, the eras of Earth, the changes taking place in early Earth and the life present during the eras. They also answer 2 questions about the Paleozoic Era.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Earth Moves Under My Feet

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study earthquakes, monitor seismic activity using the Web, and plot real-time activity. They examine movement of the Earth's tectonic plates. They create an earthquake preparedness project.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Properties of the Ocean: Change

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students research and create a visual presentation on the seasonal salinity of the Earth's oceans. They apply the research in a simulation of a lab disaster in which they must relabel ocean samples.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Global Warming and Climate Change

For Teachers K - 9th
Students explore the environment by writing a persuasive letter. In this global warming lesson plan, students identify the key problems with our energy consumption in the United States. Students complete worksheets and write a letter...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seasonal Cycles And Changes

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders recall the affect of direct and angled sunlight on the seasons, describe some results of warming soil and air in spring, predict the changes in buds when twigs are placed in water, and taste a product of tree sap and...
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Universe Has Room for Change

For Students 7th - 9th
For this universe and change worksheet, students read about the demotion of Pluto as one of the 9 planets as well as other changes in science. Students summarize their reading and identify unfamiliar words in the article....
Worksheet
Curated OER

Water And Changes Of State (3.1)

For Students 4th - 5th
In this reviewing water and changes of state instructional activity, students answer questions about water vapor, state of water, freezing point of ice, evaporation, condensation, distillation, dry ice, and the water cycle. Students...
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Changing Atmosphere of Pluto

For Students 9th - 12th
In this atmosphere of Pluto worksheet, students use an equation for the orbit of Pluto to determine the semi-major axis, the semi-minor axis, the ellipticity of the orbit, the aphelion and the perihelion. They also determine the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gaia: The Wisdom of the Earth

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Learners are introduced to Gaia theory of natural homeostasis. They graph Earth's temperatures over time, construct terrariums or monitor the outdoor environment. Related videos titles are suggested, but may be outdated. The objectives...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Science Puzzlers, Twisters, and Teasers: The History of Life on Earth

For Students 6th - 8th
A somewhat amusing assignment, this worksheet lists statements that an ancient organism may have made and asks learners to determine what geologic era that each may have lived in. It uses witty word puzzles and fill-in-the-blank-style...
PPT
Curated OER

Global Warming

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Four slides attempt to explain global warming. The first mentions that Earth's climate has experienced major changes throughout history, but that scientists believe humans are now changing it. The second explains why this is...
Interactive
PHET

Gravity And Orbits

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Have you ever wanted to turn off gravity? This simulation allows learners to do just that in addition to altering other variables. Scholars can move the sun, Earth, moon, and space station to see how distance affects gravitational pull....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Can I Do About Global Environmental Change?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students complete a unit to evaluate their impact on the environment and greenhouse gas emissions. They conduct Internet research, develop a list of their electrical and energy use, calculate their share of greenhouse gases, and identify...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth and Beyond!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate one or more of the following topics and develop a plan for the future regarding it: global warming, lunar exploration, space travel, Mars exploration, or terraforming. They disucss the audio files and the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bacteria Change Earth's Atmosphere

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders organize information to explain how photosynthetic bacteria contributed to climatic changes that happened on Earth. Students create a timeline by using a storyboard to tell the story of the change.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Outcomes Science 4: Earth & Beyond

For Teachers 7th - 10th
In this earth and beyond science worksheet, students read through 11 pages of information on weather, global warming, climate change and other related topics. There are many website links on the pages that provide additional information...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scenes of the Earth

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine and study how changes in perspective can change the way that they can observe objects. They explore the relationship between a scene's area and its detail. Each student looks at the ground through cardboard tubes from...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth and Seasons

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders comprehend that the path Earth takes as it revolves around the sun is called its orbit. They also comprehend that the axis is an imaginary line that passes through Earth's center and its North and South Poles. Students...