Teaching Tolerance
Community Arts Showcase
An art showcase encourages class members to explore the themes of social justice and tolerance. They create an original artwork, engage in group discussions, and journal writing. The art gallery also provides a chance for families and...
Channel Islands Film
Human Impact on the Food Web of Santa Cruz Island
What happens when a non-native species is introduced onto an island? Santa Cruz Island, part of the Channel Island chain located off the coast of southern California, provides the perfect laboratory for young environmental scientists to...
California Academy of Science
Our Hungry Planet: Design Thinking Challenge
Scholars investigate an issue associated with food systems and design their own solutions. Working collaboratively, they follow each step in the design process to complete the 10th lesson of the 13-part Our Hungry Planet series.
Towson University
Mystery of the Crooked Cell
Can your class solve the Mystery of the Crooked Cell? Junior geneticists collaborate to learn about sickle cell anemia in a fascinating lesson plan. The included materials help them to examine the genetic factors behind the disease...
Towson University
Looking Into Lactase: Guided Inquiry
Milk does a body good ... unless, of course, someone is lactose intolerant. Pupils play the role of pharmaceutical scientists in a guided inquiry lab about lactase. Lab groups collaborate to learn more about lactose intolerance, how...
Captain Planet Foundation
Rotting Away
What happens at the end of a plant's life cycle? Show kids the natural way that plants show that they're decomposing, as well as the importance of compost, with a lesson about living organisms. After reading Log Cabin by Anne Schreiber,...
Captain Planet Foundation
Sorting Out Soils
Sift through soil and learn about why it's important for organic processes. After discussing what makes up soil, such as the living organisms and what types of soil have more nutrients, kids sample layers of mulch and deeper soil to...
US Department of Energy
Geothermal Energy
With Earth Day quickly approaching, as well as many science fairs, why not challenge your class to investigate geothermal energy or other renewable energy resources? There are five driving questions explored in depth here, as well as...
Smithsonian Institution
Changing Gender Roles on the Home Front
Many historians discuss how gender roles changed because of World War II, but how did this come to be? An informative resource challenges scholars to do some digging and research the information for themselves. They research how...
Captain Planet Foundation
Which Plant Is Which?
Learn about dichotomous keys, plant identification, and how to care for the planet with a instructional activity that includes several hands-on and innovative activities. Kids go on a plant scavenger hunt and classify the plants that...
National History Day
“Saving the Bear”: The Russian Expeditionary Force of World War One
How have Russian politics affected countries on a global stage? The discussion of the Russian Revolution and World War I begins with an analysis of primary resource letters. Learners finish with a project where they create a timeline of...
Smithsonian Institution
Battle of the Bulge: America Responds to a German Surprise
World War II and the Battle of the Bulge are the focus of a history resource. Exercises include analyzing images, writing letters in the mindset of a soldier, and even immersing oneself in a cold experience to better empathize with the...
Curated OER
ADULT ESOL LESSON PLAN--Family and Parenting
Students explore all the specific requirements that must be followed in order to enroll children in school/day care aged 6-16. In addition, they review the importance of regular school attendance.
Curated OER
Renewable Energy and
Students identify and explore renewable energy options and then research, develop and install a renewable energy system in their school or community. Students identify the use of renewable energy sources in the north, demonstrate their...
Curated OER
Endocrine Disruptors in Our Drinking Water: Should We Be Concerned?
High schoolers investigate the different hormone contaminants in the water supply. In this math lesson, students analyze data tables and graphs. They demonstrate exponential growth and decay using frog populations.
Curated OER
Resource Sharing Between Chemistry Labs
Students assume the role of community college instructors researching the feasibility of resource (chemicals, supplies, equipment) sharing between community colleges. They explore safety issues pertaining to chemical transport, storage,...
Curated OER
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Students construct and maintain a school garden. In this gardening instructional activity, students plan the construction of the garden by writing letters to local businesses asking for supplies and materials; students build the garden...
Curated OER
We're in the Money
Students study money and its place in the economy. In this middle school Consumer Math lesson, students explore the barter system and the need for money. Students explore how money works in society and explore modern money...
Curated OER
Running on Renewables
Learners investigate the costs and benefits of switching their school to sustainable technology energy production. They use software called HOMER developed by the National Renewable Energy Lab to do the cost/ benefit analysis. They then...
Curated OER
Tips to Help You Organize Your Classroom
Start the school year off right with great organizational ideas for the classroom
Curated OER
Tootsie-Roll Pop Chemistry
Middle schoolers use Tootsie-Roll Pops to become familiar with atoms and chemical formulas. They, in groups, find more combinations of Tootsie-Roll Pops than the other lab groups within 3 minutes (Round 1), and within 5 minutes (Round 2).
Curated OER
The Mini-Me People Iditarod
Students participate in the "Iditarod" sled race. In this Iditarod instructional activity, students build their own sleds and pull their classmates to checkpoints. They use mushing terms and get timed to see how fast they go.
Curated OER
A Demonstration of Photo-and Geotaxes in Nauplii of Artemia Salina
High schoolers explore phototaxis and geotaxis in brine shrimp. In this phototaxis and geotaxis lesson plan, students study the effects of light and gravity on brine shrimp using a test tube, a pen light and gravity. They answer...
Curated OER
Water: P.O.V's Borders Picture Project
Through the use of digital cameras, this lesson shows students how to document how water is used in their local communities and explore how those uses impact the local environment.