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Lesson Plans

Three flasks showing colorful layers of sediment and microbes.
Finding the beauty in microbial diversity*
Students will use mud samples collected on a field trip to create their own pint-sized microbial communities in flasks. Students will observe their flasks with their eyes and with a microscope to learn about microbial communities in aerobic and anaerobic environments. This lesson can be modified to use mud provided by the instructor to offer it without a field trip component. (2x 1.5h)

Download lesson plan (.pdf | .docx).

A gray rock with many embedded seashell fossils sitting on a table.
How rocks record Earth's climate
Students will observe, describe, and interpret a variety of fossil and rock examples. This lesson helps students experience how rocks help scientists understand Earth's past climatic conditions. The lesson can be taught with physical rock samples from Caltech's collection, or with handouts with photos of rock examples (included). (1h)

Download lesson plan (.pdf | .docx).

A miniature flume experiment to measure soil and water flow, with a hand pouring a cup of sand.
Simulating California debris flows*
Students will test hypotheses about the factors that can change the strength of a debris flow through a hands-on experiment. This classroom lesson can be paired with a field trip to a local debris basin. (2h)

Download lesson plan (.pdf | .docx).

Soil with tree in human hands
Getting our hands dirty with soils
Students will compare and contrast different types of soil, including soil from their neighborhood, through hands-on observations. This lesson is designed to be taught outdoors (e.g., on school grounds), but can be modified for a classroom. (1h)

Download lesson plan (.pdf | .docx).

A dark reddish-green leaf partially covered in foil with a lighter green color under the foil.
Plant light-blocking experiment*
Students will explain how plants transform energy using photosynthesis and will use an experiment to observe how blocking light causes leaves to bleach. (2x 1h)

Download lesson plan (.pdf | .docx).

river
Just Passing Through
Students learn about stormwater runoff and erosion, using their bodies in an interactive physical activity outside. (1h)

Download lesson plan (.pdf).

Volcano
Party Time for Volcanoes
Demonstrate how difficult it can be to predict when sudden Earth events will be triggered - volcanoes, earthquakes, etc. (1h)

Download lesson plan (.pdf).

rocks and minerals
Rocks and Minerals
Students will learn to describe rocks and minerals, and start to understand the processes that form them. (1h)

Download lesson plan (.pdf | .docx).

Soil battery
Making a battery out of soil*
Students will demonstrate how the chemical energy stored in soils can be transformed into other useful forms of energy. (1.5h)

Download lesson plan (.pdf | .docx); Download accompanying slides (.pdf | .pptx).

Windmill renewable energy
Renewable and nonrenewable energy*
Students will associate natural resources with their ability to create energy and evaluate the pros & cons of different energy sources. (3h)

Download lesson plan (.pdf | .docx); Download accompanying handout (.pdf | .docx).

Phases of the Moon
Phases of the Moon
Students will demonstrate the connection between the Moon's phases and its relative position to the Earth and Sun. (1h)

Download lesson plan (.pdf | .docx).

Solar System
Scale of the Solar System
Students will deduce the relative sizes of the planets and their distances from the Sun using information about their properties. (1h)

Download lesson plan (.pdf | .docx).

Exploring the effects of sunshine on Earth's surface
Using a simple classroom experiment, students will observe and record how different Earth materials like sand and water reflect heat energy from sunlight. An interactive discussion will guide students to connect their results to weather and climate effects that they experience in their daily lives. (1x 1h)

Download lesson plan (.pdf | .docx).

Human Impacts on the Environment
Students will visit Whittier Narrows Natural Area and learn about human impacts on the environment, as well as native plant and animal species. They will discuss direct impacts on wildlife from human impacts on the environment; visit a human-made water fixture and discuss its purpose as well as impacts; and design sustainable communities.

Download lesson plan (.pdf | .docx)