Fourth graders use a plant database to discover new vocabulary associated with plants and ecosystems. Using a pile of dirt behind their school, they design a garden to make it a more enjoyable place. They print out the types of plants...

Young scholars use a computer and the internet to click on highlighted words to find certain answers. They then write the answer to the questions on paper. Finally, students choose one animal to write about. They research the animal on...

High schoolers collect and record data. They identify sex of butterflies. They make conclusions based on collected data.

Students investigate the concept of how nature needs to be conserved. They examine how man has had a positive and negative impact. Students work in teams to make up scenarios with problems and then propose environmental solutions.

Second graders observe images of prairie ecosystems and discuss the needs of living things. They create a prairie habitat in a closed jar to observe the water cycle and plant growth.

Third graders examine soil samples and explore the what happens in each layer of the subsoil. They work in cooperative groups to create a scroll that shows what takes place in each layer, and discuss why much of the activity is in the...

Students carefully observe prairie plants and record their observations in a science journal. They examine the root systems of grasses and flowers and surmise how these plants can grow together on the prairie.

Students create a town model and analyze the type of greenhouse gases their town emits. For this earth science lesson, students build greenhouses to investigate how trapped heat causes temperature change. They relate this activity to...

Students research a Marine Protected Area and determine the species' that benefit from its protection.  In this marine lesson plan students present their findings to the class using PowerPoint.

Eleventh graders identify the parts of an ecosystem and how communities change over time.  In this ecology lesson students formulate a habitat restoration plan.

Students gather information on a kelp forest and identify species in that ecosystem.  For this underwater ecosystem lesson students gather data, give an oral presentation and create a poster.

Students observe a local area for living organisms and their habitats.  For this local ecosystems lesson, students complete an online field journal.  Students share their findings and sort them into categories. Students visit a...

Students explore natural decomposers. In this decomposing lesson, students participate in a WebQuest to discover how nature handles decomposition. Students compare natural methods for decomposition with recycling efforts.

Middle schoolers explore the relationship between nature and architecture. In this cross curriculum history, culture, and architecture lesson, students observe and discuss structures visible in nature. Middle schoolers view websites in...

Sixth graders investigate the role of owls in their ecosystem. In this food chain lesson, 6th graders illustrate an owl food chain, dissect an owl pellet, and analyze data. Students discuss what would happen to owls if there were an...

Students explore the role and importance of soil in the ecosystem.  In this Science and Social Studies lesson plan, students complete an experiment using various kinds of soil and clay and then examine how soil has a direct impact...

Young scholars create a WANTED poster about an invasive species to an ecosystem. In this invasive species lesson plan, students watch a video and research an invasive species and create the WANTED poster about it.

Learners test their local aquatic site to determine its water clarity. They collect a water sample and measure its turbidity using a sensor, then they repeat the experiment to obtain a second turbidity reading to find the average value.

In this ecosystem worksheet, students answer questions about energy pyramids, food chains, consumers, producers, decomposers, biotic and abiotic factors in an environment, natural selection and the importance of biodiversity in an...

For this biology worksheet, students identify and define the vocabulary terms listed and make a prediction about the outcomes of the experiment. Then they complete the chart of the observations of the plankton diversity in drops of pond...

Students identify animals in ecosystem depicted on 16th Century ceramic basin and classify them as herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores based on physical characteristics and prior knowledge, determine which life forms in ecosystem are...

Students investigate the ecosystem of the salt marshes. This is done in order to develop an appreciation for this type of environment. They conduct research using a variety of resources. Students are given samples of different organisms...

Students are introduced to invasive species and how they affect the ecosystems they now occur in. They explore the basic life histories of several invasive species that are of regional and or national importance. Pupils investigate how...

Middle schoolers investigate a local forest ecosystem and discover the biotic and abiotic parts of the forest. Students observe the groundcover, understory, and canopy layers as well as collect leaves and bark in order to identify trees...