Young scholars identify that yeast are a single celled fungi that are a great model organism for studying respiration in the classroom. They also fill the bulb of a disposable pipet (eyedropper) with yeast, then submerge the pipet in a...

Students take a quick examine part of the water cycle, and the combined gas laws. The lesson lead them through the conditions necessary for cloud formation and allow them to create clouds in three different hands-on activities.

Students perform an experiment to determine which source of gas (their breath, exhaust from a car, or the air in the classroom) has a greater concentration of carbon dioxide. Students compare the colors of BTB solutions after...

Fourth graders explore Japanese customs and history. They create their own works that reflect these traditions. They identify and use primary and secondary sources to learn and communicate about the past.

Students consider that under certain conditions in nature tend to remain the same or move toward a balance. They observe populations and determine the functions (e.g., de-composers, producers, consumers) they serve in an ecosystem. They...

Students explore how certain foods come to be certified "organic." They write the words "organic" and "synthetic" and given the definitions of each. Students are given dictionaries. They are asked: "What is organic food?" Students grow...

Students investigate the transmission of light energy. In this light energy lesson, students observe bubbles using different colored filters and record their observations. They also look at a light source through various materials and...

Students investigate the effects of time and distance for the creation of a successful railroad.  In this railroad instructional activity, students recognize the railroad's need for an exact time schedule was the cause for the...

Students examine how to convert sunlight to electricity.  In this renewable energy sources lesson students explain how solar cells are used and use a voltmeter to measure the energy produced by a solar panel.

Students are led through three activities to explore the effect of temperature fluctuations on the growth and survival of aquatic plants, clams, and shrimp eggs.

Students read and analyze the story Away on the Bay as a springboard to discuss water pollution. They may look into ways in which water can be cleaned and a watershed restored.

Students read a New York Times article as a class and discuss how groundwater near a nuclear test site may have been contaminated. They explore how groundwater contamination can spread through aquifers by participating in a simulation.

Seventh graders view Edward Burtynsky's artwork that represents ship breaking. They view images of recycling, the water cycle, rusted metal, and ships to determine factors that threaten the existence of a particular habitat of an...

Pupils examine urban runoff and identify peak flows. They examine causes for different flow rates, and complete worksheets and a graph.

Students understand how farming practices and the topography of a region can effect the health and safety of all living things. Students play a game which helps them understand how the chemical Azatrine has spread in the watershed.

Students plant bean seeds and draw pictures of the plants as they grow. They create their own garden, plant the seeds, and keep a journal of their growth.

Students navigate the web to access information about the Underground Railroad in Erie, Pa.  In this Underground Railroad lesson, students discuss Hamilton Waters and Harry T. Burleigh.  Students use primary sources and negro...

Students explore groundwater and issues relating to groundwater. They discus the problems involving groundwater. Students write a newspaper story addressing groundwater problems. They create a comic strip addressing groundwater...

Students read a selection from the writings of John Muir. They discover his view on California and its natural resources. They create a display of images that show what California has to offer.

Students recognize that one source of drinking water is ground water located in aquifers. They create a model of an aquifer and summarize their experience in a report.

Students examine the influences of water and mulch on soil temperature.  In this investigative activity students complete a soil experiment. 

Fourth graders study the properties of heat in this series of lessons. They discuss sources of heat and experiment to determine its properties. They identify insulators and conductors by measuring temperatures, and graphing their data....

Learners, using the internet and other sources, research a Caribbean island. They work, in groups, to design a travel brochure. Students share their findings and information with their classmates. Additional cross-curriculum...

Students observe the effects of limestone on the acidity of water. Some areas of the nation have a lot of limestone in lake bottoms and in soil, which helps neutralize the effects of acid rain. Students see this effect first hand.