Students research the amount and kinds of energy that are produced and consumed in the United States, including the limitations of this kind of consumption. They research and create a display to teach classmates about a specific...

Students explore Earth science by participating in a gardening activity. In this botany lesson, students discuss a group of non-native plants that would grow well in a school garden. Students complete a plant science graphic organizer...

Students complete an online simulation of the greenhouse effect. In this lesson on the greenhouse effect, students use a website, similar to a webquest, to simulate and answer questions on how the greenhouse effect works. This lesson is...

First graders listen to and discuss Patrick's Dinosaurs by Carol Carrick. They have a pretend dinosaur dig using dog biscuits and chicken bones. Students discuss how fossils are formed and make reproductions of them. After discussing the...

This unit focuses primarily on plate tectonics and plate boundaries surrounding continents. It contains pre- and post-lab sections that walk young geologists through plate movements in order to visualize what's going on inside Earth.

Skate through a simulation on energy with an a activity that uses a computer simulation of a skater to reinforce the concept of conservation of energy. The resource guides pupils through scenarios using the computer simulation to...

Boost observational skills with an inquiry-based lesson that takes scholars on a virtual field trip. With help from webcams, learners observe animals in a zoo or aquarium. Observations go into a journal and a discussion is held to review...

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to take your class on an underwater adventure. The final installment in a seven-part series involving salt and freshwater bodies takes junior oceanographers below the surface in...

Young scholars investigate how mutations lead to changes in cell structure and function. They construct an oligonucleotide, identify a protein sequence, design a step-by-step mechanism of how they think cells repair damaged DNA, and...

Young scholars study how to write chemical fomulas by reviewing the combinations atoms form into compounds. They write a procedure to test various substances and name the compounds and write formulas. As they construct models for...

Students differentiate between a prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell and give examples of both types. They differentiate between a plant and animal cell. Students will be able to name features common to both as well as unique features of each.

Use the pump from a spray bottle to drive a model of the heart in action! In addition to modeling the function of the heart and blood vessels, aspiring anatomists also simulate arterial blockage. They compare the effects of increased...

Geology beginners examine three different rock samples and determine their origin by their characteristics. By making and recording observations, they become familiar with features of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock types....

This lab activity does not have to be done with AP environmental scientists. It can also be done with middle to high school earth scientists. The procedures aren't complex. Learners determine the density of dry and wet sand in order to...

Students study the respiratory system, the lungs and air.  In this respiratory lesson plan students describe technologies that engineers have found that improve the health of the respiratory system. 

Students use simple materials to make model sailboats which must stay upright and sail straight in a testing tank.

Practice Internet research skills. Each class member will need Internet access in order to follow along as you model how to search using key words and to do their own research on African and Asian elephants. Their notes will go into a...

High schoolers examine the soil in their local area and create a soil profile. They record observations in the field and the classroom. They create their own display of the soil profile as well.

Students study types, strength and construction of a variety of bridges. They build a model bridge and test the amount of weight it support.

Students examine the three different types of soil and their physical properties.  In this soil lesson students design and implement a model of a water treatment plant. 

Students investigate the habits of animals by studying their prints.  In this animal life lesson, students investigate the different types of tracks left from animals by researching the Internet.  Students utilize clay or...

Fifth graders study the processes of erosion, transportation, and deposition in soil. They walk outside the school to see examples and then accurately create a physical model which shows each type of soil movement and allows them to...

Students explore the formation of volcanoes. In this earth science lesson, students build their own volcanoes in the lab using different materials. They identify the different types of volcanoes.

Fourth graders investigate friction as a force that is present around us. They observe as a ball is rolled on different surfaces and stopped before discussing what happens. Using different surfaces, they make predictions as to what type...