Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Does Cloud Type Affect Rainfall?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Student uses MY NASA DATA to obtain precipitation and cloud type data. They create graphs of data within MY NASA DATA. They compare different cloud types as well as precipitation types. They describe graphs of the precipitation and cloud...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Amphibian Spawns

For Teachers K
Students observe tadpoles as they gradually change into adults.  In this amphibian biology lesson, students watch tadpoles in a tank in the classroom, keep a daily record of what they observe, and chart the growth development of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Elements for Disaster Reporting

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students identify the elements of natural disasters and gain an understanding on how the media influences people's responses to disasters. In this natural disaster lesson plan, students study the impact of natural disasters, and the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ziplock Chemistry

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate various chemical reactions when creating mixtures in ziplock baggies. In this chemistry lesson, students will recognize various chemical reactions and cite evidence. Safety and assessment strategies are included in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching about the Effect of Photosynthesis and

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers demonstrate the effects of photosynthesis and respiration. They decide which variables to analyze in a microcosm study. They produce a written paper, oral presentation, poster, or multi-media presentation
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Solar System

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate Newton's law of Motion.  In this chemical reaction lesson, 3rd graders participate in an experiment with rockets to study Newton's law. Students observe the effects of a chemical reaction made by combining...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Formation of Rain

For Teachers 5th - 8th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Miracle Fish: Learning to Design an Experiment

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students develop procedures to explore the behavior of fish.  For this scientific experiment lesson students from a hypothesis, write a question, identify different variables and controls in their experiment. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Magnetic Discovery Bottle

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine how to conduct simple investigations and use simple equipment to gather data.  For this magnet lesson students decide what types of objects are attracted to magnets. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dirty Decomposers

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders design and conduct experiments to determine what environmental factors favor decomposition by soil microbes. They use chunks of carrot for the materials to be decomposed, and their experiments are carried out in plastic...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Float Your Boat

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigate buoyancy, displacement and density.  In this flotation lesson students study the Archimedes' Principle, analyze data and draw conclusions. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tree Identification

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students list four ways to identify trees. For this tree identification instructional activity, students use tree identification techniques such as leafs, bark, wood grain, soil type, and climate to create tables and graphs.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Physical and Chemical Properties of Polymers

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students identify the physical and chemical properties and explore the differences.  In physical and chemical property lesson plan students test polymers for the differences between the physical and chemical properties, record their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where in the World is Carbon Dixoide?

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students conduct experiments designed to detect the presence of CO2 by using a BTB that changes color (blue to yellow) in the presence of CO2. First, students experiment with the CO2 from combining vinegar and baking soda. In part two,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Examining Infiltration Rates of Various Soil Types

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students formulate their own hypothesis, determine which variables are important to test their hypothesis, design an experiment in which they collect data. They utilize instruments and tools to measure, calculate, and organize data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ions in the Environment

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explain the importance of the five main biogeochemical cycles. In this chemistry lesson, students discuss how ions are transported in the environment. They design an experiment to collect data on eutrophication.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spring Awakenings

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Pupils observe changes in a selected tree bud/leaf during spring. They record changes in the bud/leaf using words, pictures and numbers. They understand that trees adapt to changes in temperature, light, and moisture by sprouting leaves.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Does Climate Affect Our Shelter Needs?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate how weather influences shelter choices. They explore the concept of insulation and discuss some traditional Native American shelters. They discuss the shelters used by the Okanogan people during the various...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating the Water Cycle: Using Plants to Study Evaporation

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this science activity, students investigate the water cycle by testing the water evaporated from leaves (transpiration). They investigate concepts of evaporation and the movement of water through the different states of the water...
Lesson Plan
BioEd Online

Bio Ed Online: Water

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
The Science of Water Teacher's Guide provides a number of inquiry-based activities for grades 3-5 (although it can be expanded for other grades). The guide contains science lessons that enable students to explore water, behavior of...
Unit Plan
Other

Digital Library for Earth System Education: Teaching Box: Essentials of Weather

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A suite of lessons focusing on the basic elements of climate and weather. Inquiry-based exploration of extreme weather events and the factors of weather including clouds, wind, air pressure, temperature, and the water cycle.