Curated OER
A Water Cycle Chamber
Fourth graders are shown the water cycle by watching a demonstration by their teacher. In groups, they are given one two-liter bottle with a starter hole and follow instructions to complete the set up. They place ice cubes into the...
Curated OER
Water Filtration
As an example of nature's water filtering system, young ecologists conduct an experiment in the lab. They construct a funnel out of a plastic bottle, fill it with specified layers of materials that simulate layers of soil, then run muddy...
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The Water Cycle
Learners observe and identify the stages of the water cycle by observing a simulated water cycle. They complete worksheets demonstrating their knowledge.
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Water Wash
Students define watersheds, ground water and nonpoint source pollution. They describe how rainwater moves on the surface, as well as underground, as part of the water cycle. They recognize what flooding is as well as its causes.
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Moving without Wheels
Students observe a simple water cycle model to better understand its role in pollutant transport. This activity shows one way in which pollution is affected by the water cycle; it simulates a point source of pollution in a lake and the...
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Rock Cycles, Crayon Cycles
Students examine the rock cycle and the path that rocks go through to rearranged in different ways. They define key vocabulary terms, then in small groups conduct a variety of experiments using crayon shavings as simulated rocks and...
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Water Around and Around Again
Students form a hypothesis for a water cycle experiment. In this water cycle instructional activity, students create their own environment with water and earth to study the water cycle. Students complete a handout to make a hypothesis...
Forest Foundation
Forest Watersheds
Where does the water we use come from? To understand the concept of a watershed, class members study the water cycle and then engage in an activity that simulates a watershed.
NOAA
A Laboratory Simulation of Ocean Surface Currents
Stimulate interest in ocean currents with a simulation. The first installment of a five-part middle school series teaches future oceanographers about the forces that interact to cause ocean currents. A simulation shows how wind and the...
Curated OER
The Rain Maker
Second graders work in small groups with a cup each of several materials. Students layer the gravel, sand, and water into a resealable bag. They draw a picture of this bag in their water journal. Students place their sealed bags in a...
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Receding Waters
Students explore the effect of environmental factors on ecosystems. In this wildlife and ecology lesson, students identify and describe the stages in a frog's life cycle. Students participate in a simulation demonstrating the impact of...
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Water and Ice
Students explore water as it changes states of matter. In this physical property lesson, students use observation, measurement, and communication skills to describe changes in water as it goes from a solid to a liquid and back again.
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Earth Systems
Ninth graders investigate biological systems. They summarize relationships between systems. Students determine how systems relate within the biosphere. They analyze the carbon cycle.
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Dust in the Wind; Chemicals in the Water
High schoolers explore mechanical and chemical weathering at stations. They articulate some mechanisms of chemical and mechanical weathering through exploration in a lab. Students stations describe how chemical weathering differs from...
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Fred the Fish -- A River Ran Wild
Students apply cause and effect relationships to water pollution in a stream. For this pollution lesson students recognize the importance of clean water in their daily lives. Students accompany "Fred the Fish" as he travels down stream....
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Identifying Watersheds with Topographic Maps
Middle schoolers model a watershed and delineate one using topographic maps. In this hydrology lesson, students use aluminum foil to model a landscape and observe how water moves on it. They also observe the features of a topographic map...
Curated OER
Monarch Migration
Third graders investigate the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly. They experiment with various tools to simulate the mouth parts of insects, conduct research, record their observations of butterflies hatching, write a play, complete...
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Home-Made Clouds
Fourth graders witness cloud formation in a jar during a teacher lead simulation. They research, draw and predict weather using information they gather about clouds.
NOAA
Ocean Acidification
If tap water is more acidic than ocean water, why are we so concerned about ocean acidification? The third installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program focuses on carbon dioxide levels in...
Curated OER
Sedimentary Rocks
Second graders receive an introduction to the rock cycle. They dicuss the geologic rock cycle. They create a simulation of a sedementary rock.
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Traveling Nitrogen
Learners demonstrate and understanding of the nitrogen cycle by taking roles and interacting with others in a simulation activity.
Curated OER
Global Change- Time and Cycles
Students study trees and their growth. In this investigative lesson plan students work in groups to reconstruct a 50 year climatic history using a simulated tree ring.
Curated OER
Floods and Flash Floods
Junior geologists, hydrologists, or meteorologists simulate what happens during the flooding of a river and demonstrate factors that contribute to flash flooding. This outstanding resource provides a vocabulary list, online resources,...
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Time and Cycles - Dendrochronology
Students investigate the lives of trees by examining ring cycles. In this plant life lesson, students identify the field of study known as dendrochronology and discover its history. Students investigate a simulated tree ring and...