Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Saving the Bay

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students investigate water pollution prevention. In this ecology wastewater lesson, students activate prior knowledge about sewage, then view a video explaining the waste water sewage system used in the San Francisco Bay area. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Deep Blue: Exploring the Deep Ocean

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students examine landforms. In this social studies lesson, students bounce a beach ball around in order to discover that seventy percent of the Earth is covered in water. Students
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Car Wash

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine the most appropriate site for a car wash, based on each site's soil characteristics (chemical, physical) and topographic features. They perform an experiment to determine the changes to three different soil types when...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Transpiration

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students interactively explore the term transpiration. In this science/ecology lesson, students discuss what they would do if they were thirsty while conducting research in Brazil. Additionally, students write descriptive words to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alternative Energy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners identify the five major alternative energy sources. In this physical science lesson, students assess the advantages and disadvantages for each type of energy. They complete a concept map using information they researched.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Energy?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students define energy and identify the different types that exist. They identify places they see, hear or feel energy. They understand the role of engineering in finding and testing sources of energy for the production of electricity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Down By the River

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Pupils examine how watersheds work and determine the difference between point and nonpoint source pollution. They research management practices to reduce pollution and investigate how everyone can participate in reducing water pollution.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Waves : An Alternative Energy Source

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students evaluate the feasibility of wave energy as an alternative source of energy.  In this alternative energy source activity students are introduced to renewable and nonrenewable energy and study energy production.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What are rice farmers doing to help the environment with their water-filled rice fields?

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders research rice fields. In this rice fields lesson, 3rd graders discuss how fields contribute to the environment by providing an important food source for birds. They find the benefits of rice fields to water and soil as...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Pollution

For Teachers K - 6th
Students investigate a variety of pollutants that can affect water and the plants and animals that live in the water. For this water pollution lesson plan, students identify pollutants in a bog, marsh, stream or other wetland area and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Water Resources

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students build a model aquifer to study groundwater zones and water table formation. Students use the models to measure the movement of polluted groundwater.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is the Function of Each Seed Part in the Growth of a Plant

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders investigate the parts of a seed by using a digital camera.  In this botany instructional activity, 6th graders plant their own seeds in class and demonstrate the necessary attributes for growing a plant.  Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Quest

For Teachers K - 5th
Learners visit the Hydrology Study Site, conduct a visual survey to discover info about local land use and water quality, and document their findings by mapping the water body. They use this investigation to raise questions for further...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sugar and carbohydrates, protein, fat and water - that's what little plants are made of!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils identify photosynthesis as the mechanism by which plants convert sunlight energy into a usable energy source for plant processes. They identify photosynthesis as the mechanism by which plants create a molecule that can be used to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Properties of Waves

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders observe and investigate wave properties and compare the properties of particles and waves. They fill a pie pan half full with water, place a toothpick in the center of the pie pan, then drop a marble into the pan and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Marine & Aquatic Habitats Activities - Terrestrial Forests vs. Kelp Forests

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners discuss concept and specificity of habitats, both marine and terrestrial, list similarities and differences in the habitats of a kelp forest and a terrestrial forest, compare types of organisms that occupy corresponding types of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dynamic Wetlands

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students construct and observe a model of two different types of wetlands. In this wetlands lesson, students create a model of a wetland with constant drainage and a wetland that maintains a well-saturated soil. Students observe and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fit With Fiber

For Teachers 6th Standards
Sixth graders investigate the nutritional value of different types of cereal. They take a survey of students that ate breakfast and create a circle graph with the results. Students examine the nutritional information on the sides of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Beautiful Soil

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners discover what are the components of soil. They examine how it is formed and it's importance. They engage in garden activities and processes. They hold a handful of garden soil and describe what they see. They take a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Properties

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Young scholars explore the porosity of soil. In this soil lesson, students conduct an experiment which shows the porosity of different types of soil. They use sand, silt, and clay to see how soil particles are more or less aerated and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Applied Science -Physics (2B) Pre Lab

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders look at different types of energy. In this energy instructional activity, 2nd graders define energy and the difference between kinetic and potential energy. They see examples with falling books and a slinky.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Got Light!

For Students 3rd - 4th
Sources of light, and the reflection of light off of objects, are the focus of this brief and simple science activity. Learners must trace the path that light takes which enables a boy to read a book. A suggested activity is to have the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Report of Shop, Factory, Mill or Industrial Establishment

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine the pollution survey created in response to the Public Health Laws of 1903, and compare/contrast polluting factory discharges in 1903 to those allowed today. They analyze the report survey, complete a worksheet, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Contain Yourself: Changes Over Time in the Use of Containers by Native Americans

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners examine the types of containers used by Native Americans. They discover how their form and function has changed over time. They create their own container based on the Native American examples.