Nature and Wildlife

274 Activities

Nature and Wildlife

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!

Activities

Light Up Circuit Clay Creatures

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

45m

•

Grades 6 - 8

Light Up Circuit Clay Creatures

By OregonASK

6 - 8

45m

Students create a circuit out of dough and batteries.

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Light Up Circuit Clay Creatures

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

45m•Grades 6 - 8

Observing Biodiversity

Nature and Wildlife • STEM

50m

•

Grades 3 - 8

Observing Biodiversity

By National Wildlife Federation

3 - 8

50m

Bio meaning life and diversity mean variety; biodiversity is the variety of life at every trophic level from microorganisms to the largest species of plants and animals. Biodiversity is a critical factor in a healthy environment, a part of the biosphere system. When parts of the system are not functioning well, the system starts to struggle, working inefficiently, or having the potential to break down completely.

An assessment of the best-known groups of U.S. plants and animals indicates that as many as one-third of America’s species are vulnerable, one in five is in danger and at high risk of extinction. It is critically important we provide children numerous opportunities to appreciate the natural world and teach them the skills required to be stewards of the land and its inhabitants.

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Observing Biodiversity

Nature and Wildlife • STEM

50m•Grades 3 - 8

Engineering Cars

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

1h 10m

•

Grades 6 - 8

Engineering Cars

By OregonASK

6 - 8

1h 10m

Students brainstorm and create their own car designs from recycled materials. Students can compete in a friendly competition to see how fast their car can go.

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Engineering Cars

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

1h 10m•Grades 6 - 8

Planet Tourism Bureau

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

45m

•

Grades 6 - 8

Planet Tourism Bureau

By Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45m

For your next vacation, how about a trip to Jupiter? Or Saturn, or Mercury? In this fun, out-of-this-world activity, students act as travel agents for the planets of the solar system, including Earth and the dwarf planet Pluto. Working together, they will learn to appreciate that the solar system is a huge, amazing place and that Earth occupies a special niche as the only planet known to have life.

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Planet Tourism Bureau

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

45m•Grades 6 - 8

The Buzz on Bees

Nature and Wildlife • STEM

•

Grades 6 - 8

The Buzz on Bees

By The Nature Conservancy

6 - 8

Youth uncover the fascinating world of bees and the crucial role they play in our ecosystem.

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The Buzz on Bees

Nature and Wildlife • STEM

1h•Grades 6 - 8

Sink the Ping-Pong Ball

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

45m

•

Grades 3 - 5

Sink the Ping-Pong Ball

By Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45m

Students work together to design and build a cage that will cause a Ping-Pong ball to sink in water, exploring the concept of density and how it explains whether objects float or sink.

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Sink the Ping-Pong Ball

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

45m•Grades 3 - 5

Solar System Bead Activity

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

•

Grades K - 8

Solar System Bead Activity

By NASA

K - 8

Students construct -- and where appropriate, calculate -- a scale model of the solar system using beads and string.

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Solar System Bead Activity

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

1h•Grades K - 8

Electromagnetic Train

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

•

Grades 6 - 8

Electromagnetic Train

By OregonASK

6 - 8

Students work in teams to create electromagnetic trains with magnets! They also learn about magnetism.

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Electromagnetic Train

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

1h•Grades 6 - 8

Make It Move! 3: Transportation Prototype Build

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

•

Grades 6 - 8

Make It Move! 3: Transportation Prototype Build

By OregonASK

6 - 8

Students learn and explore different types of transportation prototypes and then make their own!

This is Part 3 of 6 in the Make It Move! series, with activities designed to build upon each another:

Make It Move! 1: Transportation Prototype Brainstorm

Make It Move! 2: Transportation Prototype Selection

Make It Move! 3: Transportation Prototype Build

Make It Move! 4: Transportation Prototype Test & Modify

Make It Move! 5: Transportation Prototype Naming

Make It Move! 6: Transportation Prototype Presentations

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Make It Move! 3: Transportation Prototype Build

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

1h•Grades 6 - 8

A Bee Infographic

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

•

Grades 6 - 8

A Bee Infographic

By The Nature Conservancy

6 - 8

Youth learn how to share their knowledge and inform others about a topic through an infographic.

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A Bee Infographic

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

1h•Grades 6 - 8

S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Tops

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

30m

•

Grades K - 5

S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Tops

By OregonASK

K - 5

30m

Students learn and become familiar with mechanical engineering by making and testing their own spinning tops.

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S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Tops

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

30m•Grades K - 5

Mapping Dragonfly Life Cycle

Nature and Wildlife • STEM

1h 5m

•

Grades 6 - 8

Mapping Dragonfly Life Cycle

By City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

1h 5m

In this activity, students explore a dragonfly's life cycle, considering what developing dragonflies need to survive. Students will then collaborate with their peers to create and perform a short skit that highlights the critical aspects of each dragonfly life cycle stage.

This is activity 1 of 3 in the "Indicator Species" module from City Parks Foundation.

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Mapping Dragonfly Life Cycle

Nature and Wildlife • STEM

1h 5m•Grades 6 - 8

Collections

Our Watershed

Nature and Wildlife • STEM

3 Items

•

Grades 3 - 8

Collection

Our Watershed

By National Wildlife Federation

3 - 8

Think of a watershed like a filter, where water flows over the land and into other bodies of water, and takes into account the health of the land and all its waterways. In this playlist youth will learn more about their watershed, the ecosystem where they live, and observe the biodiversity nearby.

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Our Watershed

Nature and Wildlife • STEM

Grades 3 - 8

COLLECTION

Community Science Playlist

Nature and Wildlife • STEM

3 Items

•

Grades 3 - 8

Collection

Community Science Playlist

By California Academy of Sciences

3 - 8

Community science, also called citizen science, is a global effort in which scientists and the public work together to help gather data on the earth’s biodiversity. In this playlist, youth will learn how to use three community science tools and make observations about arthropods, birds, and sky conditions to share with naturalists around the world.

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Community Science Playlist

Nature and Wildlife • STEM

Grades 3 - 8

COLLECTION

Science Notebooks

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

7 Items

•

Grades 3 - 12

Collection

Science Notebooks

By California Academy of Sciences

3 - 12

Keeping a notebook can help your students think and act like scientists. Sample these easy-to-implement strategies and lessons to bring science notebooking into your program.

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Science Notebooks

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

Grades 3 - 12

COLLECTION

Helping the Planet for 3rd-5th Grade at Home

Nature and Wildlife • STEM

7 Items

•

Grades 3 - 5

Collection

Helping the Planet for 3rd-5th Grade at Home

By Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

This Playlist allows younger students to go outside and learn about ways to help the environment.

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Helping the Planet for 3rd-5th Grade at Home

Nature and Wildlife • STEM

Grades 3 - 5

COLLECTION

Catalyze STEM Learning with Kayla Ambesi

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

12 Items

•

All Grades

Collection

Catalyze STEM Learning with Kayla Ambesi

By Mizzen Education, Inc.

All Grades

From robots and rockets to quicksand, plants, weather, and wildlife, this playlist ignites curiosity in STEM, inspiring the joy of discovery. Youth will design and test a kite in flight (learning about wind and weight); make rock candy crystals (discovering supersaturation), record and sketch nature (learning about climate and weather); and craft a protective device for a falling egg (exploring momentum and energy).

"By engaging in STEM activities that go beyond textbooks and lectures, youth can explore their interests, develop critical thinking skills, and gain practical knowledge that transcends traditional education. Investing in these experiences empowers them to become well-rounded individuals equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving world." — Kayla Ambesi

Kayla Ambesi is the Supervisor of Community Schools at Schenectady City School District in New York. With a passion for education and engagement, she oversees six community schools and leads districtwide STEAM Camps, K-12 summer enrichment, and a "STEM Saturdays" collaboration with Union College. Kayla is the devoted mother of four children and holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the esteemed College of Saint Rose.

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Catalyze STEM Learning with Kayla Ambesi

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

All Grades

COLLECTION

Things to Know Before You Grow

Nature and Wildlife • Social and Emotional Awareness • STEM

5 Items

•

Grades 3 - 8

Collection

Things to Know Before You Grow

By Farm to Table Kids

3 - 8

The Ultimate Garden Planning Toolkit for Curious Kids & Inspired Educators

Before you plant your first seed, there are a few essential things every gardener should know—and this module delivers them in the most hands-on, kid-friendly way possible. In “Things to Know Before You Grow,” students explore the fundamentals of garden success: how to read a plant hardiness zone map, understand frost dates, calculate seed starting schedules, and document their observations like real scientists. This four-lesson collection is packed with interactive worksheets, educator-friendly slides, and real-life garden planning tools that help youth think critically and connect deeply with the rhythms of nature.

Designed by Farmer Steph and the team at Farm to Table Kids, this module brings the garden to life in your classroom or afterschool program. It also features exclusive “how-to” videos from Farmer Steph, offering step-by-step support and encouragement straight from the garden. These videos give learners a direct connection to the seasonal cycles they’re studying—setting the stage for confident, climate-smart planting.

Once you've soaked up all the "Things to Know Before You Grow," don’t stop there! Continue the adventure with our partner collection: “How to Grow Dahlias”—a joyful, flower-filled deep dive into one of the most beloved and magical plants in the garden.

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Things to Know Before You Grow

Nature and Wildlife • Social and Emotional Awareness • STEM

Grades 3 - 8

COLLECTION

Sustainable Cities

Nature and Wildlife • STEM • Social and Emotional Awareness

3 Items

•

Grades 6 - 8

Collection

Sustainable Cities

By City Parks Foundation

6 - 8

With the effects of anthropogenic climate change becoming more evident in our day to day lives, those in urban areas are at high risk of detrimental damage from extreme flooding events. Everywhere you look in urban areas, you are faced with impervious surfaces which presents a challenge when it comes to avoiding floods. And in cities that use combined sewer systems, these floods open the gates of contaminated wastewater filled with everything from human waste to toxic chemicals entering our groundwater and surface water supply which are detrimental to all living organisms that rely on it, including humans.

In this module, students will learn the parameters for and conduct water quality testing on local water bodies, assess the role of local green space in mitigating damage from flooding events, and construct sub-irrigated planters as an example of water saving green infrastructure.

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Sustainable Cities

Nature and Wildlife • STEM • Social and Emotional Awareness

Grades 6 - 8

COLLECTION

Intro to Science Notebooking

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

7 Items

•

Grades 3 - 12

Collection

Intro to Science Notebooking

By California Academy of Sciences

3 - 12

This collection of activities introduces students to science notebooking, and how to establish systems, organize information, and sketch like a scientist.

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Intro to Science Notebooking

STEM • Nature and Wildlife

Grades 3 - 12

COLLECTION

Helping My Community

Nature and Wildlife • STEM

2 Items

•

Grades K - 8

Collection

Helping My Community

By National Wildlife Federation

K - 8

Communities play a unique role in our growth and development from children to adults. In this playlist, youth will spend time minimizing their environmental footprint and planning a garden for wildlife.

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Helping My Community

Nature and Wildlife • STEM

Grades K - 8

COLLECTION