In this biology investigation, students will make observations of the growth of bean seeds to determine what plants need to live and grow in a healthy way.

This lesson is for kindergarteners as they study the needs for survival of plants and animals. The students gather information about an invasive species that changes the soil so that plants have a more difficult time getting nutrients. They learn what they can do to help in preventing the spread of these species.  Pursuits addressed: Identity: This lesson addressed the 'who you desire to be' part of Identity. The scientist that is spotllighted in this video is a non-traditional scientist who is African and studies worms. Students who are of African descent or African American and any student who may feel that the doors to science careers may be closed to them due to the color of their skin, may feel encouraged by this video to nurture the possibility of being a scientist. The fact that this scientist studies something that many students may be interested in may foster new ideas that scientists can be people who spend a lot of time outdoors looking at interesting things. Intelligence: This lesson gives students real-world knowledge and some tools to make a difference in their community with this knowledge. It has immediate implications in the students' lives. 

This is a classroom activity where students will make plant rubbings and plant pressings of Minnesota plants.

Students plant sunflower seeds in plastic cups, and once germinated, expose them to varying light or soil moisture conditions. They measure growth of the seedlings every few days using non-standard measurement (inch cubes). After a few weeks, they compare the growth of plants exposed to the different conditions and make bar comparative graphs, which they analyze to draw conclusions about the needs of plants.

Students in Grades 1 & 2 at Chain Exploration Center developed an understanding of the maple syrup production and its importance as an agribusiness. Students also learned about plant structures and their role in photosynthesis and the ecosystem services of sugar maple trees. The culmination of student learning was a project showcase in the form of a Maple Tree Museum to which parents and community members were invited. What follows is an outline of key place-based lessons and experiences that supported students’ learning.

In this lesson, the students will build a shelter in order to protect themselves from the rain. After the shelters are built, the class will perform durability and water proof testing on the shelters.

This series of 5 high-quality, standards-aligned, inquiry-based lessons have been field-tested by the 4K students of Wequiock Children's Center for Environmental Science, their teacher and educational assistant. These lessons encourage students to use natural areas around their school as they improve their science and engineering skills as part of a unit on observing changes. Created as a part of a WISELearn OER Innovation project, Connect, Explore, and Engage: Using the Environment as the Context for Science Learning was a collaboration of the Wequiock Children's Center for Environmental Science and the Wisconsin Green Schools Network. One of the goals of the project was to create standards-aligned lessons that utilize the outdoor spaces of the school . These lessons were created to take place during late winter.

This site is a collaborative effort between the herbaria of the UW-Madison (WIS) and the UW-Steven's Point (UWSP), along with most of the other herbaria located in the state of Wisconsin. It contains information on each of the more than 2600 vascular plant species that occurs in Wisconsin, including photos, distribution maps, specimen records, and more.

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) offers an open-and-go elementary science unit suitable for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders. This unit focuses on Plant Adaptations and explores various aspects related to plants. Here’s what you’ll find in this engaging unit:

Lessons:
Seed Dispersal: Investigate how trees can travel halfway around the world and learn about different seed shapes.
Water, Sunlight, & Plant Growth: Explore whether a plant can survive without light.
Light, Leaves, & Competition: Understand why trees grow so tall.
Hands-On Learning:
These lessons involve hands-on activities that lead students in the doing of science and engineering.
Short Videos and Discussion Questions: Captivate your students with engaging videos and thought-provoking questions.
Standards Alignment:
The lessons are aligned with science standards (such as NGSS) and can be covered in 1-2 hours of science per week.
Less Prep, More Learning: Spend minutes, not hours, preparing for these exciting lessons.
Unit Focus:
Students explore the needs of plants through investigations.
They learn about seed dispersal, the conditions necessary for seeds to grow, and the requirements for adult plants to thrive.

"Opening the World through Journaling: Integrating Art, Science, and Language Arts" teaches children to become keen observers of the natural world by drawing and writing about the plants and animals in situ. In a set of nested exercises, students use games to gain confidence in drawing and writing as a way to gather information. Later, they employ these skills to put together a field guide, make treasure maps, and to write short stories and poems.

This classroom activity introduces the yearlong topic of phenology and how to use the Weatherguide calendar.

This is a combination of a worksheet and interactive activity for students to either be introduced to photosynthesis and cellular respiration, or it can be a review activity.  Students take 9 pieces of paper (for which they write the different parts of the chemical equation of photosynthesis/cellular respiration) to construct the equations for both processes.  This is to help them see that the processes are the "opposite" of each other.  While following along on the worksheet, students manipulate the pieces of paper according to the instructions and then answer questions on the worksheet.

This lesson would be a great introdution lesson to a plant science course/unit as it touches on plant parts, photosynthesis, plant survival, and basic plant functions.

This is a field investigation where students observe plants in a school forest setting. Students then compare adaptations of plants from different parts of the forest.

This activity is a field investigation where students identify native MN plants and record the common name, scientific name, and important information about each.

Plant stem anatomy can be a challenge to teach and learn.  To make it relevant and more interesting the students created edible models of the plants vascular system.  The students used ingredients and food items that helped them understand the structure and function of the vascular system.  Once they constructed their model they labeled the parts and explained the function of each part.  The Botany Coloring book is used to provide the detailed diagrams and in depth explanation of the vascular system first and then the students create their edible model.  

This series of 5 high-quality, standards-aligned, inquiry-based activities and one STEM challenge have been field-tested by secong grade students and families of Wequiock Children's Center for Environmental Science during Safer At Home orders. These activities encourage students to use natural areas around their homes and in their neigbhorhoods as they improve their science and engineering skils relating to plant and animals interdependence. Created as a part of a WISELearn OER Innovation project, Connect, Explore, and Engage: Using the Environment as the Context for Science Learning was a collaboration of the Wequiock Children's Center for Environmental Science and the Wisconsin Green Schools Network. One of the goals of the project was to create standards-aligned lessons that utilize the outdoor spaces of the school (as well as those of the students' homes).  These lessons were created to take place during the spring. However, some of the lessons could be conducted during the fall. Cut flowers from a florist may be used in place of ones found living outdoors.The title image was used with permission and is courtesy of Joe Riederer. The observation protocol "I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of, I Think Maybe" has been adapted from that of the BEETLES Project.

This site helps students see how plants and animals interact to accomplish pollination. Students (Grades 3-8) identify plant and animal parts involved in pollination, connections between pollination and food production, relationships between pollinators and the plants they pollinate, and ways flowers have adapted to encourage pollination.

Help Sam the gardener in the Sunflower Greenhouse. Learn about plants and their parts, photosynthesis and energy. This lesson includes practical exercises. Good for grade 3.

Project Budburst is a national network of people monitoring plants as the seasons change. Data is collected in a consistent manner across the country so that scientists can learn more about the responsiveness of plant species to changes in climate locally, regionally, and nationally. The website includes extensive educational resources for implementing the project within various classroom and informal settings.