LESSON PLANS (print version) pdf What is a Fossil?

Determining whether or not something is living can be more difficult than it seems. Put your young scientists to work defining their own criteria to identify life, then work with three samples to see if they are alive or not. 

Middle schoolers explore the art of film with this carefully scaffolded series of lessons that introduces film genres, explores the narrative structure of films, and uses The Day the Earth Stood Still to model how to become active...

What's the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse? Handout an article that explains the phenomenon of both, safety precautions for viewing a solar eclipse, and what a partial eclipse is.

When a candle burns down, what happens to the mass that appears to be shrinking? Lesson begins with a demonstration of the chemical reaction of a candle burning. Then scholars use atom models to observe conservation of mass concretely. 

Here is a 14-page lesson plan that deftly outlines a wonderful educational experience for your youngsters. In it, students learn about a variety of animals that have left behind clues of their existence in fossil form. Many excellent...

Density: the reason a giant pumpkin will float, but a tiny cranberry won't. Lesson begins with a demonstration of two of the same-sized cubes having different densities. Then pupils take eight cubes, each of the same size, and have to...

Looking for a sun-sational multi-lesson plan full of videos, simulations, and discussion? Introduce your young scientists to all things solar with a four-part hands-on adventure. Pupils learn the basics of solar anatomy, space weather,...

Can our energy resources keep up with our ever-growing population? Science scholars learn the basics of energy and Earth's energy resources during an electrifying lesson. The resource combines video clips and an engineering design...

It doesn't matter if you look on land, in the air, underground, or in water—evolution is everywhere. Scholars complete worksheets with multiple question types as they progress through six online missions creating phylogenic trees. 

Examine exactly what is meant by natural selection, as well as how it works in nature and through the assistance of humans. Presented with fun graphics and simple narration, the complex topic of natural selection is clearly explained in...