This activity is designed to start your students in recognizing themselves as scientists and thinking critically about problem-solving. The goal is to teach concepts through discovery and to encourage using scientific thought processes. As with all lessons provided, please feel free to adapt them according to your students’ abilities. Some of your students may be early readers, in which case you may find it more successful to lead activities and discussions as a whole group rather than using individual Research Plan sheets. Certain scientific vocabulary may or may not be appropriate for your students’ level of understanding. Take these ideas, make them your own and your students will have a greater chance at success.

State Standards include-

Grades K-4

Life Science: Basic Needs of Living Things: Living things have basic needs, which are met by obtaining materials from the physical environment; and Living things survive only in environments that meet their needs

Earth and Space Science: Earth's Resources: Some of Earth's resources are limited

National Standards include-

Grades K-4

Science as Inquiry: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry; and Understandings about scientific inquiry

Life Science: Characteristics of organisms; Life cycles of organisms; and Organisms and environment

Science in Personal and Social Perspective: Personal health; Characteristics and changes in populations; Types of resources; Changes in environments; and Science and technology in local challenges