Here you'll find a curated collection of science lesson plans for 2nd and 3rd grade. Many of our activities list connections to the Next Generation Science Standards.
By building an edible polyp, you'll learn about coral anatomy and discover if it's a plant or an animal.
Do you know the relative sizes of the planets in our solar system? Put yourself to the test with some Play-doh.
Where is all of our planet's water stored?
Students head outside to look closely for patterns of leaves in a shady environment vs. a sunny environment.
Explore seaweed and learn about this important producer in this hands-on, culinary activity!
How can you make learning fractions fun? By building a colony of adorable penguins!
If you know the rules to the card game Go Fish, you can easily learn how insects undergo metamorphosis.
What are the different layers in a rainforest? Learn about them with a fun Jungle Layers song!
Learn about adaptation by creating an insect that can survive in a specific habitat!
Featuring over 40 activities, this guide will get your students outside throughout the year!
What types of natural resources are used to make the objects we use in everyday life? Play bingo to find out!
Through scientific sketching, you can identify patterns in traits shared by a species and get to know variation.
Learn about what macroinvertebrates live in your school yard!
Show off your Manor, and make it more appealing to a diversity of macroinvertebrates!
The Earth's tilt is the reason for the season!
You may know your zodiac sign, but do you know your birthday stars?
Students will practice being Earth to learn about how our orbit affects what we see.
This interactive lesson will demonstrate the difference between "rotation" and "orbit."
This interactive activity will demonstrate why some planets look like they are traveling backwards.
Learn about the phases of the moon with this tactile activity!
Track the sun's position to learn the cardinal directions.
How much of outer space is just space?
Discover the part of the leaf that allows for gas exchange!
Why does some trash change, while other garbage stays the same?
How much freshwater was used to produce your meal today?
How does an animal's shape and color affect what habitat they live in?
Students will explore tectonic plate boundaries and different types of seismic waves generated by earthquakes.
What are the problems associated with burning fossil fuels?
What are the consequences of mining for fossil fuels?
In this role-playing skit your students will describe the various processes of the water cycle in the Amazon.
By sorting our waste into different bins, we can make a huge impact.
Students use their balancing and group skills to protect their Emperor penguin egg in harsh conditions.
Investigate why flowers have different shapes and colors.
With just a few supplies from home, you can make a twisty set of bongo antelope horns in a heartbeat.
Students receive their science notebooks and take the time to make them their own.
Students peruse sample pages from the notebooks of many different scientists.
What are some strategies for allowing your students to share the content in their science notebooks?
Students insert a Table of Contents, number the pages, and complete their first reflective entry.
What makes a good scientific sketch? You can teach this lesson even if you think you can't draw!
Use "windowpanes" to take stock of materials at the beginning of an investigative unit.
Lay the foundation for sketching by explicitly teaching the following techniques.
Expand your vocabulary in this creative brainstorming activity.
Why do humans have two eyes?
Looking for ideas to spice up your science teaching? Our activity database features full-period lessons to integrate into your normal curriculum.
This year’s closures are having a devastating effect on the Academy. But until Dec. 31, all gifts will be matched 5x, up to $200,000, to support our scientific research, education programs, and care and conservation of our animals.
Please help the Academy with a tax-deductible gift today.
This year’s closures are having a devastating effect on the Academy. But until Dec. 31, all gifts will be matched, up to $100,000, to support our scientific research, education programs, and care and conservation of our animals.
Please help the Academy with a tax-deductible gift today.
...but our penguins are still counting on you. Make a matched Giving Tuesday gift to support the care and conservation of the Academy’s animal residents.
All gifts up to $50,000 will be doubled to make twice the impact for our penguin colony — but only until midnight on December 1.
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Please do your part to keep our community safe. Failure to follow any health and safety rules, posted signage, or staff instructions may result in your removal from the museum:
Click the link below to view complete safety information and reserve timed-entry tickets. We hope to see you soon!
The health and safety of our guests and staff is our top priority. As of November 29, the Academy is closed to the public until further notice in accordance with local and state public health guidelines. We hope to welcome you back soon.
