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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy is Everywhere

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Learners differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources and identify the different forms of energy and list the advantages or disadvantages of different forms of energy. They also determine the benefits as well as the...
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Lesson Plan
PHET

Measuring the Interplanetary Magnetic Field

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Scientists need to figure out how to measure interplanetary magnetic fields, but the magnetic field of the spacecraft is interfering with their readings. Scholars attempt to solve the problem that has perplexed NASA scientists for years.
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Lesson Plan
Captain Planet Foundation

Energy Flow in the Garden

For Teachers 4th
How can you tell what an owl has eaten? Study the food chain and flow of energy in an ecosystem by dissecting an owl pellet and noting the bones found inside. Additionally, the lesson includes a game about consumers and producers with a...
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Lesson Plan
Teach Engineering

Solar Power

For Teachers 9th - 11th
How much solar energy is available at my location? An engaging resource provides a presentation along with script to give the class background information on determining solar radiation. Pupils then work through a worksheet to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather Watchers

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students identify basic weather instruments and how they are used to record weather data. Students define several vocabulary terms as stated in lesson. Students use basic instruments to record weather data in their area. Students use the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Design You’ll Dig: Designing a Habitat for Worms

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover how worms contribute to the balance of the environment. In this composting lesson, students study the composting and decomposition processes. Students then create habitats for worms that allow them to do their jobs.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Graphing San Diego Tides

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students observe the tides in San Diego for one month. Using this information, they graph the tides on a chart along with the phases of the moon. They answer questions related to the graph to end the lesson.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measuring Water Quality

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers are introduced to the various methods of measuring water quality. In groups, they test various water samples using the different methods, writing them down for pH, oxygen, salinity, and nitrate levels. They use their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sediment Tubes

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Pupils observe how different density soils and rocks behave in wind and in water. They make predictions and careful observations as they explore sediment transport and sediment rates in streams and rivers.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make Your own Treasure Hunt!

For Teachers Pre-K - 4th
Students participate in a variety of treasure hunts to promote critical thinking skills. In these problem solving lessons, students go on a photo hunt, scavenger hunt, clue hunt, and map hunt, looking for specific treasures.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Dinosaurs in Place and Time

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders study the continents that specific dinosaurs lived on. They compare the continent's location and climate when dinosaurs live there with its current location.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fossil Fuels vs. Alternative Fueling Systems

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders brainstorm the differences between the fossil fuels that people use in their transportation now and what they could use to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. They use a variety of techniques from webquests to writing...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Makes a Building Green?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the concepts of green building used in constructing or renovating a building. They conduct an interview with someone who sells green materials, or designs or implements green building plans. They work in teams to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Is Everywhere

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Pupils determine the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources and identify the different forms of energy. They discuss life without energy and where energy comes from before reading an article about the different sources...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Tour in Sustainability

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore two LEED certified green buildings. They examine what is the LEED certification process and what constitutes a green building. They tour via the internet two LEED certified green buildings, while comparing and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Industrial Revolution & Climate Change

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the Industrial Revolution and write an essay about the problems it brought to cities. They also examine the environmental impact of the Industrial Revolution. They take a quiz to test for comprehension.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Home-Made Clouds

For Teachers 4th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Volcano! Is That a Volcano on Your Plate?

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students investigate where volcanos come from. In this volcano instructional activity, students watch videos do Internet research and participate in experiments to discover the cause of volcanos.
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Unit Plan
Curated OER

The Motions of the Oceans

For Teachers 6th
Students examine the topics of ocean waves, currents, and tides. They locate and label ocean currents on a world map, conduct experiments, analyze key vocabulary, view demonstrations and record the data, and complete handouts.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creeping Sheets of Ice

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students conduct scientific investigation in which they observe glacial effects on landscape, develop and explain their own theories of how glaciers change land, and demonstrate understanding and explain basic motion and force principles.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rain On

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study the water cycle and clouds. In this water cycle and cloud lesson, 4th graders determine the definition of condensation and watch a demonstration in which the teacher makes a cloud in a bottle. They discuss the water...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Analog Forecasting

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students recognize the elements of an analog weather forecast.  In this weather forecasting lesson, students use a website and look for trends, persistence and climatology in weather forecasting.  Students complete a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Timeline of Extreme Weather Events

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars research and chart extreme weather events on a timeline. In this extreme weather lesson, students interview older people who have experienced extreme weather events. Young scholars complete a worksheet based on the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geography Puzzles

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students study the continents of the world. In this Internet geography instructional activity, students connect to online mapping games. Students collaborate in order to develop their understanding of world geography, including countries...