In this activity, learners investigate how different materials repel or absorb water. Learners use spray bottles to explore how everyday items like sponges, cardboard, feathers, etc. respond to water differently. This activity also introduces learners to the scientific method as learners make predictions about which materials will absorb or repel water.

In this outdoor game, learners play the roles of gray or red squirrels gathering and storing a supply of food in "fall" and recovering enough of them to survive the "winter." Learners carry bags representing their cheek pouches for carrying food. Learners investigate the advantages and disadvantages of how these two kinds of squirrels store food differently.

In this activity, learners simulate taking HIV antiretroviral drugs by using Tic Tac mints and Kool-Aid packets. Learners will experience firsthand how easy or difficult it is to fully adhere to a treatment program. Participation in this activity does not require eating or drinking anything and can accommodate learners with allergies.

In this two-day activity (on pages 16-22), learners use a process like that of the Yoruba people of Nigeria to create an African symbol on cloth. Learners first make cassava gel, then paint decorative symbols on cloth, and finally dye it. Learners examine the significance of symbols in African culture and communication, and the use of natural plant products for human projects.

In this activity, learners simulate Otto von Guericke's famous Magdeburg Hemispheres experiment. In this modern, low cost version, a pair of learners try to pull apart two suction cups (dent pullers). Learners then calculate the amount of force holding the dent pullers together.

In this activity, learners use multiplication skills to get groups of aliens safely back to their planet.

This activity (on pages 7-13) has pairs of learners survey an array of similarities and differences between them. The differences survey worksheet focuses on genetically inherited physical features, such as hair color, eye color, ear shape, and tongue folding and rolling. By tallying the whole group's features, they will consider which features are "dominant" (occurring more often). The activity includes reflection questions to encourage writing.

Using two baby food jars, food coloring, and an index card, you'll 'marry' the jars to see how hot water and cold water mix. Besides illuminating the cool fact that an index card can act as a lid (with no water gushing out), this activity also teaches about the differing densities of hot and cold water.

In this activity, learners construct a three-dimensional ambiguous cube to explore visual illusions and how our brains interpret or misinterpret information. Learners will be surprised to see what the cube looks like when they hinder their depth perception by viewing it with only one eye.

This lesson plan provides learners with two activities to explore the connections between events in their lives and the seasons of the year. Learners follow lists of instructions and create diagrams to visualize these connections. This lesson plan includes activity instructions and answer keys.

In this outdoor winter activity, learners search for and create hibernation sites that will protect gelatin "animals" from freezing. Learners come to understand that hibernating animals need to take care in selecting a sleeping spot that will provide protection from the winter cold.

Investigate a flower's power of marketing by making an imitation flower that successfully signals a bee (or other pollinator of your choice) to visit. Try to determine what characteristics will attract a pollinator to your flower. Also available as an online game.

In this outdoor activity, learners find, count and compare as many different kinds of animals as they can find in two different areas: a managed lawn and a weedy area. Learners compare their animal finds, and also examine which plants in the different areas attracted the most animals. Learners consider how people have affected the diversity of animals in the lawn.

In this outdoor, warm weather activity, learners use sweepnets to search a grassy area such as a large lawn or field, collecting small animals to find as many different kinds of animals as possible. Learners observe and try to identify the animals they catch and observe how different animals interact with each other. Because some animals can't be caught easily with sweepnets, the Branching Out part of the activity involves making very small "pitfall traps" in the ground. At the end of the activity, learners release all the animals back into the grassy area.

In this engineering activity, learners will get acquainted with the basics of wind energy and power production by fabricating and testing various blade designs for table-top windmills constructed from one-inch PVC pipe and balsa wood (or recycled materials). This lesson plan is divided into three parts. In Part I, learners explore outdoors and examine where wind comes from. In Part II, learners review the power equation and wind as an energy resource. Finally, in Part III, learners work in groups to construct and test their wind turbines. During each section, learners can view video segments that are linked to this resource.

In this activity, learners create a model using metric measuring tapes and atmosphere composition data. Learners will investigate the major components of the atmosphere (nitrogen and oxygen) as well as the minor components which raise questions about global warming and greenhouse gases.

In this outdoor art/environmental activity, learners create designs that will attract attention to animals and plants in particular habitats, and then test whether their designs attracted the "right" organisms. Learners come to understand more about how features of animal and plant appearance, including color, shape, and design patterns, serve to attract pollinators and mates, scare away predators, or serve as warning. The activity can be extended by discussing other ways plants and animals attract attention, such as by smell, sound, or sight.

This outdoor activity/field trip requires a place where minnows swim, such as a local pond or brook. Learners are challenged to find out how minnows respond to various fishing lures, then design and test the most effective minnow attractor. The instructions offer suggestions for low-tech fishing poles made with thin wire and a twig, bamboo cane, or dowel stick.

In this geology activity, learners create a model using a mixture of salt and sand inside a CD case. When the case is tilted or inverted, the mixture dramatically sorts into a layered pattern. With this model, learners explore the angle of repose and Brazil Nut Effect to better understand how avalanches occur. Educators have the option of building the model with or without learners present.

In this activity, learners compare the number of letters in the names of the people in their families or group of friends. Learners write out the names in graph paper, with one letter in each square, and cut out the names. Learners sort the names from shortest to longest and then find the average length of the names by cutting and scrambling up the letters. This activity guide contains sample questions to ask, literary connections, extensions, and alignment to local and national standards.