Students complete a writing assignment focused on the use of data to support the theory of plate tectonics. They access data using the "Our Dynamic Planet" CDROM, capture images of the data plots, and incorporate them into their writing. T

Students construct small cities made of sugar cubes, bullion cubes, and gelatin cubes. They experiment with the cubes in order to determine which materials hold up the best against a simulated earthquake. Students explain how...

Students study multiple land uses and their effects on one another. They assess multiple land uses in National Forests and Grasslands and evaluate the effects of each use on all other uses. They develop a comprehensive list of human...

Students study the Anza-Borrego Desert. They complete the Patterns Project and survey the history of San Diego. They present their research to the class in the form of poster or report.

Students understand the basic properties of plate motion. They demonstrate what happens to a plate while faulting while using manipulatives. They demonstrate the Nature of Scientific Inquiry to solve scientific issues.

Structure and Function SynopsisStudents choose some biological object, examine its structure, and identify or speculate on one particular function. Next they create a blueprint of the object, focusing on the particular function. Then...

Students identify and interpret the type of evidence found at a typical dinosaur dig and mimic a paleontologist by taking crayon rubbings of simulated bone impressions. After the rubbings are taken, the students reconstruct the complete...

Using this activity, learners could review information they have covered about land forms, such as hills, mountains and plateaus. This 17 question activity could be used with upper elementary or ESL students to test or review information...

Young scholars investigate how rocks are modified into construction materials. In this building up and breaking down lesson plan, students explore what happens to building materials over time and how people modify natural materials....

Students investigate the invertebrate sponge. In this invertebrates lesson plan, students observe the sponge, Grantia, using a dissecting microscope. Students answer questions about their observations and view six other invertebrates....

Students explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this science lesson, students discover how scientists assess damages to the environment following oil spills. Students conduct a simulation of a public meeting in order to...

No unit on important women in history would be complete without a lesson on Sandra Day O'Connor. After reading background information about the first female Supreme Court justice, middle schoolers engage in several activities addressing...

Students explore the concept of paleoclimatological proxies.  In this paleoclimatological proxies instructional activity, students explain isotope ratios in deep water coral samples.  Students write a paragraph about global...

Fifth graders measure how long it takes to make cookies. In this measuring time lesson, 5th graders explore how to manage time. Students decide when to start making breakfast on time, how to calculate playing time into their lunch time,...

In this online interactive reading comprehension worksheet, learners respond to 12 multiple choice questions about The Education of Henry Adams. Students may submit their answers to be scored.

Students study the 'Marine Protected Areas' process.  In this ocean lesson students work in groups, conduct research and present it to the class.

A simple vocabulary definition worksheet has young geographers of the Southwest putting term meanings into their own words. The fifteen words include (but are not limited to) adobe, butte, canyon, economy, erode, fossil, and landform....

First graders create his/her own paper mache earth and label the poles and equator. The land masses can be added and labeling of specific bodies of water. The paper mache earth can then be used to discuss the sun, moon, and the earth and...

Students use a lamp as the sun and his/her body as the earth. They rotate in different directions to explain how the earth moves around the sun. Using specific questions in their discussion, students discover the reasons for day and night.

Students investigate how body design affects balance. They make simple models of dinosaur bodies using straws and marshmallows. Before making their models, they discuss the effects of gravity and the importance of balance in body shape.

Pupils perform 3 hands-on activities to help them explain the terms "crest" and "trough" as related to sound, water, and light waves. All three waves types have troughs and crests. The activities use toys to demonstrate the properties of...

Pupils gather and classify samples of a given item (rocks, fossils, seeds, etc.) They discuss various ways of classifying and that there are many different ways that are acceptable.

Students use fossil range charts to explain relative dating. They graph for ammonites, marine organisms that went extinct at the same time as dinosaurs.

Students prepare for a field trip to Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and exploration of Ape Cave (see also Ape Cave Exploration). In the absence of a field trip, students become acquainted with lava tubes in general.