Pbs: Nova: Forgotten Genius: Natural vs. Synthetic [Pdf]

All synthetic materials began as natural materials. An engaging lesson begins with a hands-on activity and an example of the type of research that scholars perform independently. Then pupils receive a topic and begin researching the...

Does having an addict in your family make it more likely to become one yourself? Explore the genetic risk factors, as well as the prominent environmental influences, for substance addiction in a lesson that encourages awareness and open...

By studying the once-assumed extinction, then rediscovery of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, learners look at the physical changes that have occured in habitats throughout Arkansas. This outstanding activity is chock full of terrific...

Learners explore the patterns of nature. In this interdisciplinary lesson plan, students examine beauty in nature and participate in a hands-on simulation that demonstrates how human preferences for beauty have led to an increased...

Fifth graders identify renewable vs. non-renewable resources and comprehend why conservation of resources is important. They are asked what they think the words natural and resource mean. Pupils then put the words together to define...

Here's a fine instructional activity on renewable and non-renewable sources of energy for your 5th graders. In it, learners list a number of natural resources on the board, then try to sort the resources into appropriate categories. This...

Sixth graders compare and contrast natural and synthetic fabrics. In this science investigation instructional activity, 6th graders test the flammability of 6 natural and synthetic fabrics.

Every forty-eight years, a species of bamboo in India produces its seeds en masse, causing a major disruption in the ecosystem, which precipitates a mass influx of rats. This video explores this phenomenon and the repercussions. A...

NOVA explores the basic principle of buoyancy. Also included at this site are some interesting brain-teasers related to the topic.

Wind power blows non-renewable sources away! Why are there not more wind power plants? Science sleuths track down the reasons behind our limited use of wind energy with a video from NOVA's energy unit. The resource covers the storage and...