Water Retention - No Problem With The Key (Vertebrates&Invertebrates) Investigation part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This lesson helps grade 3 students understand the difference between Vertebrates and Invertebrates.

Environmental interactions: Connectedness of a natural system part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is a field investigation of how a natural system in organized and the interconnectedness of an ecosystem.

Investigating Trees part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students gather information on a tree. Based on the information gathered and student interest, students will develop and carry out an investigation.

A Bug's Life: Under A Rock! part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a biology lab investigation where students create habitats to observe decomposers in a controlled setting.

Phenology and Weatherguide Calendar part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field observation and also an in-class discussion/share. Students share observations made outside and are aware of changes in the natural world.

Is It an Insect? part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is designed to further develop students' understanding of the characteristics of insects. Students will be sorting insects from non-insects that they themselves find in a sample of pond water.

Introduction to the Milk Weed Ecosystem part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is an inquiry and field study based. Students will be trying to observe, document, compare, contrast, and communicate what information they were able to gather. The will use this information to make in inference about the organisms they have found and classify them as either an insect or not an insect.

7th Grade Life Science at the Observatory: Life Throughout the Universe part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This classroom activity will show students that there is a lot we don't know about science, for example life throughout the universe. It will hopefully encourage students to question what we know and don't know, and exploration and study of the unknown.

Creepy Critters part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where student gather data on organisms they find in or around a pond.

Exploring A Decomposition Community part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity allows elementary students to construct a decomposition column in order to observe the relationship between living systems and energy sources.

Investigating Animals: Interdependence of Life In A Habitat part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students will observe, discuss, and gather evidence on how environmental changes affect animals that live in that habitat.

Investigating Honeybees: Using a Quiz to Access Prior Knowledge part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a presentation of honeybee anatomy and behavior.

Investigating Plant Life in Our Nature Center part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students use a dichotomous key to properly identify trees in our schools nature center.

Effects of Air Temperature on Seed Germination part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity begins as a classroom investigation, but may extend to a field investigation where students will determine the effects of air temperature on seed germination. This is accomplished by developing investigative questions, recording, and analyzing data.

Pond Insect Investigation part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this activity students learn about the life cycles of many aquatic insects and then on a fieldtrip collect and analyze samples of pond life.

Famous Scientists part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This lesson is a presentation of famous scientist throughout history where the students will learn and take notes about the contributions and discoveries made in science.

Leaf Investigation and Classification part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a group activity where students investigate leaves and sort them based on established criteria.

Earthworm Hunt: The Search is On! part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This field investigation allows students to collect and observe earthworms using liquid extraction to help develop background knowledge at the start of a new earthworm unit.

Investigating Decomposition Processes of a Plant part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Students observe the decomposition of a pumpkin under controlled circumstances. These observations are used to take notes and develop questions.

Classify the trees/Leaves part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students gather leaves from various trees on school property, interpret findings, name tree and leaves, journal activity and develop a new "aha" for nature!