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The Natural World

262 Activities

The Natural World

Get outside and get curious! Through observation and discovery, learners explore ecosystems, animals, and environmental science. Nature becomes a classroom for inquiry, creativity, and care. This is great for adventurers and future eco-leaders!

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Activities

Building a Mini Greenhouse

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Building a Mini Greenhouse

OregonASK

6 - 8

1 Hour

Students make a mini greenhouse and learn about how they work.

Discover Activity

Modeling DNA

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Modeling DNA

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students construct a model of half of a strand of DNA, then work with partners to complete the double-strand. This activity builds understanding of the structure and function of DNA and prepares students for a deeper understanding of molecular genetics.

Discover Activity

The Sponge Challenge

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

The Sponge Challenge

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 12

45 Minutes

Students devise a method to wet all parts of a sponge (inside and out) within 10 seconds. This activity demonstrates an important lesson in life science about cell size.

Discover Activity

The Ecosystem Where I Live

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

The Ecosystem Where I Live

National Wildlife Federation

3 - 8

50 Minutes

An ecosystem is where plants and animals live with and interact with nonliving elements, both natural and human-made. Ecosystems host biotic or living organisms, as well as abiotic or nonliving parts. Biotic organisms include plants and wildlife, while abiotic components of an ecosystem include rocks, temperature, and soil. Ecosystems can be very big or very small; for example, a river is a huge ecosystem, and under a rock is a tiny ecosystem.

Every aspect of an ecosystem depends upon another, either directly or indirectly. To illustrate this, imagine the amount of rainfall in a given location is a variable (other variables include temperature, sunlight, and elevation) to predict the types of plants that will grow there. All of these factors will then support wildlife who depend on these plant species and weather conditions for survival.

Discover Activity

Street Tree Care

The Natural World, Leadership and Teamwork

Street Tree Care

City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

1 Hour 50 Minutes

A city tree must battle many urban hazards daily- from air pollution and bicycles, to dogs and people. In addition to above ground threats, tree roots also must contend with tough below-ground conditions. A tree pit or lawn strip provides limited space for these forest giants and this soil is a tree’s only source of nutrients. Because of this, it is essential to create as nurturing a tree pit as possible.

This is activity 3 of 3 in the "Urban Forests" module from City Parks Foundation.

Discover Activity

How Viruses Infect Cells

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

How Viruses Infect Cells

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students present skits in which they role-play the two infectious cycles that viruses undergo to attack cells: the lytic cycle and the lysogenic cycle. This activity combines biology and drama to teach skills in both disciplines.

Discover Activity

Relative Sizes of Planets

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Relative Sizes of Planets

OregonASK

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students visualize the relative volumes of the eight planets and the dwarf planet Pluto in the solar system.

Discover Activity

Earthquakes & Tectonic Plates

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Earthquakes & Tectonic Plates

California Academy of Sciences

3 - 8

2 Hours

How can we determine the locations of tectonic plate boundaries? How can we use seismic waves to pinpoint the epicenter of an earthquake? Students will explore these and other questions using seismic data and triangulation.

Discover Activity

Merry Mix Jigsaw

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Merry Mix Jigsaw

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Each student receives an index card that describes a mixture, a tool, or a physical property. Their task is to match their card with 2 other cards. Taken together as a trio, the cards describe a successful way to use the tool to separate a mixture using a physical property.

Discover Activity

Speed of the Human Nervous System

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Speed of the Human Nervous System

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this fun activity, students measure their reaction time to a stimulus. They determine whether reaction time improves with practice and whether it is affected by distractions. Students also learn that reacting to stimuli involves coordination and communication between the eyes and brain of the nervous system and the hand muscles of the muscular system.

Discover Activity

Animal Homes

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Animal Homes

National Wildlife Federation

K - 8

50 Minutes

As humans, we live in homes for many of the same reasons animals live in homes, and just like animal homes, our human homes come in many different shapes and sizes, are built with a wide range of materials, and are built to withstand the climates in which we live.

A variety of factors affect the ability of wildlife to survive. An animal’s habitat must provide food, water, shelter from weather and predators, and a safe place to raise its young. Many animals, from ants and beavers to wolverines and yellow jackets, alter their surroundings to build their own homes. Children will be making observations of the animals and homes they find while outside.

Discover Activity

Plant and Animal Observation

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Plant and Animal Observation

City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

1 Hour 30 Minutes

In this lesson, students will practice identifying plant and animal species, and classifying them as either native or non-native. In doing so, students will also acquire knowledge of land survey and species identification methods used by biologists to evaluate habitats.

This is activity 2 of 5 in the "Invasive Species" module from City Parks Foundation.

Discover Activity

Building a Mini Greenhouse

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Building a Mini Greenhouse

OregonASK

6 - 8

1 Hour

Students make a mini greenhouse and learn about how they work.

Discover Activity

Modeling DNA

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Modeling DNA

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students construct a model of half of a strand of DNA, then work with partners to complete the double-strand. This activity builds understanding of the structure and function of DNA and prepares students for a deeper understanding of molecular genetics.

Discover Activity

The Sponge Challenge

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

The Sponge Challenge

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 12

45 Minutes

Students devise a method to wet all parts of a sponge (inside and out) within 10 seconds. This activity demonstrates an important lesson in life science about cell size.

Discover Activity

The Ecosystem Where I Live

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

The Ecosystem Where I Live

National Wildlife Federation

3 - 8

50 Minutes

An ecosystem is where plants and animals live with and interact with nonliving elements, both natural and human-made. Ecosystems host biotic or living organisms, as well as abiotic or nonliving parts. Biotic organisms include plants and wildlife, while abiotic components of an ecosystem include rocks, temperature, and soil. Ecosystems can be very big or very small; for example, a river is a huge ecosystem, and under a rock is a tiny ecosystem.

Every aspect of an ecosystem depends upon another, either directly or indirectly. To illustrate this, imagine the amount of rainfall in a given location is a variable (other variables include temperature, sunlight, and elevation) to predict the types of plants that will grow there. All of these factors will then support wildlife who depend on these plant species and weather conditions for survival.

Discover Activity

Street Tree Care

The Natural World, Leadership and Teamwork

Street Tree Care

City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

1 Hour 50 Minutes

A city tree must battle many urban hazards daily- from air pollution and bicycles, to dogs and people. In addition to above ground threats, tree roots also must contend with tough below-ground conditions. A tree pit or lawn strip provides limited space for these forest giants and this soil is a tree’s only source of nutrients. Because of this, it is essential to create as nurturing a tree pit as possible.

This is activity 3 of 3 in the "Urban Forests" module from City Parks Foundation.

Discover Activity

How Viruses Infect Cells

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

How Viruses Infect Cells

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students present skits in which they role-play the two infectious cycles that viruses undergo to attack cells: the lytic cycle and the lysogenic cycle. This activity combines biology and drama to teach skills in both disciplines.

Discover Activity

Relative Sizes of Planets

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Relative Sizes of Planets

OregonASK

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students visualize the relative volumes of the eight planets and the dwarf planet Pluto in the solar system.

Discover Activity

Earthquakes & Tectonic Plates

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Earthquakes & Tectonic Plates

California Academy of Sciences

3 - 8

2 Hours

How can we determine the locations of tectonic plate boundaries? How can we use seismic waves to pinpoint the epicenter of an earthquake? Students will explore these and other questions using seismic data and triangulation.

Discover Activity

Merry Mix Jigsaw

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Merry Mix Jigsaw

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Each student receives an index card that describes a mixture, a tool, or a physical property. Their task is to match their card with 2 other cards. Taken together as a trio, the cards describe a successful way to use the tool to separate a mixture using a physical property.

Discover Activity

Speed of the Human Nervous System

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Speed of the Human Nervous System

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this fun activity, students measure their reaction time to a stimulus. They determine whether reaction time improves with practice and whether it is affected by distractions. Students also learn that reacting to stimuli involves coordination and communication between the eyes and brain of the nervous system and the hand muscles of the muscular system.

Discover Activity

Animal Homes

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Animal Homes

National Wildlife Federation

K - 8

50 Minutes

As humans, we live in homes for many of the same reasons animals live in homes, and just like animal homes, our human homes come in many different shapes and sizes, are built with a wide range of materials, and are built to withstand the climates in which we live.

A variety of factors affect the ability of wildlife to survive. An animal’s habitat must provide food, water, shelter from weather and predators, and a safe place to raise its young. Many animals, from ants and beavers to wolverines and yellow jackets, alter their surroundings to build their own homes. Children will be making observations of the animals and homes they find while outside.

Discover Activity

Plant and Animal Observation

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Plant and Animal Observation

City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

1 Hour 30 Minutes

In this lesson, students will practice identifying plant and animal species, and classifying them as either native or non-native. In doing so, students will also acquire knowledge of land survey and species identification methods used by biologists to evaluate habitats.

This is activity 2 of 5 in the "Invasive Species" module from City Parks Foundation.

Discover Activity

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Copyright © 2026, Mizzen Education, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift and support out-of-school time educators.

Copyright © 2026, Mizzen Education, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift and support out-of-school time educators.