Students explore the earth's atmosphere, weather, and climate. They begin class with a discussion about weather patterns, atmosphere, and the layers of the earth. After the class discussion, students rotate through four stations to...

Eighth graders explore the physical change of matter. As a class, they discuss their favorite super hero and determine if the hero undergoes a physical or chemical change. Students examine the change of state and phase change. In groups,...

Students investigate tides and the land submerged under them.  In this intertidal field trip, Students visit the intertidal zone and observe the habitats and animals that live there.  Students view the pools under rocks where...

Little learners examine a map of the southwestern United States and identify the Sonoran Desert. They locate different cities and rivers, determining whether or not each is found within this special ecosystem. A student handout is...

First graders investigate the changing states of water.

Students examine relief maps of California and discuss the San Francisco Bay watershed. Discussion continues with the class helping complete a journey of water through seasons in a "finish my sentences" style lecture. They label rain...

Students examine how watershed systems are made up, and visit the Susquehanna watershed system and map out the system. They evaluate the order of watercourses in their area.

Students investigate various chemical reactions when creating mixtures in ziplock baggies. For this chemistry lesson, students will recognize various chemical reactions and cite evidence. Safety and assessment strategies are included in...

Students are introduced to tree structure and use. They identify their special tree using all senses except sight. Students identify six different internal parts within a cross section of tree trunk (bark, phloem, xylem, cambium,...

Learners examine cloud types. In this cloud lesson, students identify cloud types, observe clouds and collect data, and analyze data to identify the most common cloud they observe overhead during the course of a month.

Learners study the Miller-Urey Experiment including its history and criticism.  In this origins of life lesson students repeat this experiment to see how it works.

Students sequence the steps leading to the formation of rain, and design a model to represent these steps. This task assesses students' abilities to classify, generalize, infer, interpret and communicate data, and construct a pictorial...

Learners view progressive slides of cloud formations and identify which type of cloud is shown as it forms. They estimate the cloud's height while viewing each image.

Students recognize the faces of the four presidents on the South Dakota quarter reverse. After discussing the duties and responsibilities of presidents, they list the contributions of the four presidents. They decide which presidents are...

Pupils examine the effect of different types of light on the Earth. They discover the role of evaporation and the effects of the sun on the magnetosphere. They also observe different solar phenomena.

Pupils examine how to forecast weather. They examine the different types of weather and learn the correct vocabulary.

Students create a torn paper landscape and use it to study clouds. In this cloud study and art instructional activity, students make a background art image from torn paper. Students create a torn paper landscape and use cotton balls to...

Third graders experiment with beakers of water and balloons to measure the volume of the gas in the balloon. They determine ways to change the volume of air in the balloon which changes its size but not its physical state. By heating the...

Learners locate important landmarks on a map and explore the watersheds in California. In this watershed lesson students complete a worksheet and discuss what they learned. 

Students create a design for a school garden. In this garden design instructional activity, students analyze what plants grow best in their school's climate and work in teams to design a garden. Students measure the existing space,...

Students are introduced to the topic of light interference through this hands-on activity. They observe how light reflects off two surfaces and then meets to form an interesting variation of color on a film surface.

Learners understand that a psychrometer is a weather instrument used to detect humidity. In this psychrometer lesson plan, students build a psychrometer.  Learners use their psychrometers to measure humidity activity.

Students recognize the three main types of clouds. In this clouds lesson, students create a cloud mobile to understand clouds.

Learners measure humidity in the classroom. For this weather lesson, students use a psychrometer to measure the humidity in the classroom. Learners complete a lab packet.