How is energy transferred within an ecosystem? What would happen to a food web if one of the organisms was removed? Elementary or middle school ecologists examine these questions and more in a comprehensive 5E learning cycle lesson....

Fourth in a set of several little lessons on density, this one compares the density of fresh and salt water. First by demonstration, and then by a hands-on activity, learners find that adding salt increases the density, as is evidenced...

We can see the result of electricity  but not the process itself. The simulation compares electric circuits to a water tower and water wheel cycle. Young scientists adjust the height of the tower, the amount of resistance, and if...

What are some simple uses for an electromagnet? Scholars explore the electromagnetic circuitry in a doorbell through an interesting simulation. They control the core material, number of loops, amount of current, and strength in a spring....

Students have the opportunity to use higher-level thinking skills and to apply their talents to previously learned material. It provides an opportunity for visual, auditory, and tactile/kinetic learners to utilize their particular...

In this tropopause worksheet, students read about the temperature of the air in the tropopause or the layer of the atmosphere closest to the Earth. They answer four critical thinking questions about this layer and the energy changes that...

Students collect water samples from around your home and school, check the pH level of each water sample, and record the pH levels in a chart that looks something like this:

Middle schoolers identify and analyze what the Air Quality Index (AQI) is and how it works. They review ways that "unhealthy" or "hazardous" days could be prevented and draw and color something that they can do to help reduce air...

Students participate in the game People, Places, and Events to practice their science, and social studies skills

Fourth graders research the characteristics and inhabitants of the rainforest. They demonstrate their ability to communicate using e-mail and create a class presentation of their research.

Learners complete activities that lead to greater understanding of the variety of natural disasters that occur all over the world.

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...

Seventh graders conduct an investigation into the design of bridges and their construction. Students design bridges and draw detailed plans. For assessment they construct a model of a bridge that is made entirely of toothpicks. Students...

Students research questions related to sports medicine. They write an essay from the questions and create professional email accounts to email a professional in their field of interest. In addition, they interview their professional and...

Students make a rocket out of paper. They follow the given instructions and test to see if it will fly. They write about the experiment and are given the opportunity to change their varibles to make their rocket work.

Young scholars analyze images of five different soil types from various locations and discuss how climate, vegetation, parent material, topography, and time can contribute to soil characteristics.

Eighth graders conduct a "Length of Day Symposium." They complete a variety of activities and explorations regarding the earth's rotation, its revolution around the sun and the cyclic changes in climate and energy distribution on the...

In this ocean waves activity, 6th graders read 2 pages about different types of ocean waves, then answer 10 true or false questions. An answer key is provided.

Students examine how waves are generated by wind, create a model that uses wind to create waves and conduct an experiment that demonstrates the effect that waves have on the coastline.

Students investigate the effects and causes of acid rain. They test pH of household items to familiarize themselves with pH scale and compare that information with acid rain solutions. They investigate impact of acid rain via internet...

First graders investigate soil, sand and silt. For this environment lesson, 1st graders discuss how changes occur in the environment and the effects of weather. Students perform their own investigation and record their predictions,...

Fourth graders discover earth's air pressure through observation of several experiments. In the "Experiment of the Leaky Bottle," they observe how air pressure forces water out of the lowest hole farther than the holes above it. In...