W.K. Kellogg Biological Station

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Classroom Resources

Searchable Table of Lesson Plans

Since 2006 Fellows and K-12 Partnership Teachers have been creating lessons, many of them based on science taking place at KBS.  Use the Search box on the table to find the lessons!

Virtual Field Trips

Ask us to join your class online!  Recorded and live content available.  Birds of Prey Interview and Exploring with Scientists themes help students learn about animal adaptations, careers and more!

Borrow a Kit: In the table below, search ‘Kit’ or Click here to see what is available, please email Kara Haas to confirm your reservation and arrange to pick it up or have it delivered.  Fellows can help with implementing the protocols with your students, so ask Kara about that too.

Lesson Title (short)Grade LevelTime (hours)KeywordsActivity Type
Fungal Partnerships with Plant Roots and Bioenergy ProductionMiddleweeksbioenergy, biofuels, plants, micorrhyzaeexperiment, hands on
Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center Classroom MaterialsElementary, Middle, HighVariableengineering, biofuels, sustainablecollections of activities, multiple types
Analyzing Water Usage by Bioenergy CropsHighVariablebiofuel, water, hydrogeology, agricultureobservation, data collection
Student activity guide for 8 hands-on experiments designed to complement the learning in the online Edgenuity Biology A & B curriculum.
Teacher guide for 8 hands-on experiments designed to complement the learning in the online Edgenuity Biology A & B curriculum. 		High (alternative)Variablebioenergy, engineering, fermentation, adaptation, cellular respiration, heredity, cycling matterhands on, experiments
Teaching Evolution in ActionMiddle, HighVariableevolution, resources for teachershands on
K-12 Education Resources BEACON: An NSF Center for Evolution in ActionHigh Schoolevolution, computation, engineering, biologyhands on, computers
K-12 Partnership 2017 Spring WorkshopElementary, Middle, HighVariablebiology, photosynthesis, DNA, invasive species, biofuels, greenhouse gases,experiment, hands on activity, measurement, demonstration
Lessons of History: Land Use Change 1830-3013Elementary, Middle, HighVariable, 1 for elementary, 3 for high schoolland use, land cover, landscape, human impact, historyhands on, graphing, maps, Kit available
Ecosystem Services LessonHigh SchoolVariable, 1.5 hoursecosystem services, ecology, field tripoutdoor walk, worksheet
Building Evolutionary Trees: how did New World Oriole colors evolveHigh (AP biology)1.5Evolution, Evolutionary tree, Phylogeny, Cladogram, Common ancestor, Bird, Oriole, Model buildingdemonstration
Who’s the bravest of them all?: Using inquiry to explore cricket behaviorMiddle, High4+Inquiry, Scientific Method, Animal Behaviorinquiry, data interpretation
A Game of Selection: Exploring Evolution by Natural SelectionMiddle, High1-2Evolution, Natural Selection, Survival, Reproduction, Game, Animal Behaviorgame
Farming for Ecosystem ServicesMiddle, High1ecosystem services, ecosystem function, biodiversity-ecosystem function hypothesis, decision-making game, agriculture, land managementgame
Expecting the Unexpected: Adventures in Critical ThinkingMiddle, High1hypothesis testing, evolution, inference, deductive reasoning, anti-vaccination, conspiracy, correlationdemonstration, data interpretation
Seeing the forest from the treesElementary1-2trees, light, water, leave shape, leaf sizedemonstration
Putting Down Roots: The Evolution of Plants from Water to LandElementary, Middle1plant, evolution, adaptation, microscopedemonstration
The Chi-square goodness of fit test: Application for testing genetic inheritance hypothesisHigh, AP Biology, 10-121-2statistics, chi-square, datadata interpretation, mathmatics
Why do species cooperate? A card-based simulation of the ant-acacia mutualismUpper Middle, High1game
Not in my stream! The Asian carp invadersElem, 3-51-2game
Connecting Landscapes in a Changing WorldMiddle, High1-2fragmentation, human impacts, corridors, conservation, dispersal, reserve design, habitat requirementsdata interpretation, graphing, demonstration
Coevolving with Crossbills: A Tale of Two PineconesMiddle, High1-2fragmentation, human impacts, corridors, conservation, dispersal, reserve design, habitat requirementsgame
Does Size Matter? Investigating the Physical Properties of Soil and their Effects on PlantsMiddle, High2clay, sand, serpentine, permeability, geology, weathering, calcium, magnesium, waterdemonstration
Food Web Control of Beneficial and Pest Species: Who Eats Who and Why Should We Care?Middle, Early High School, 5-93Food webs, biodiversity, pond, plankton, invertebrates, frogs, water chemistry, microscopyinquiry, demonstration
Fun with plants: understanding the functions of mineral elements Jul 232014Middle, High School4-6 weeksnutrients, hydroponics, pH, PPM & EC probes, limiting & essential nutrientsInquiry, graphing
When mountains disappear where do they go? Inorganic carbon cycling in your belly and our ecosystemsHigh School1+tums, weathering, carbon cycle, geology, lime, bufferdemonstration, data interpretation
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Species InteractionsElementary, Middle, High School modifications2environmental change, mutualism, parasitism, pollination, beneficial, negative, game, demonstration
Running the Gauntlet: Finding the Least Cost PathUpper Elementary, Middle, Lower High School2-3animals, movement, dispersal, migration, map, habitat, Africa.demonstration, design
Bringing Biology to Urban Design: All Abord the Poop Train!Elementary, Middle1-2agriculture, algae, bioluminescence, recycling, urban design, city, energy efficiencydemonstration
The Pig Bang Theory: Implications of Ignoring EvolutionHigh School1+evolution, antibiotic resistance, organic, farming, foodgame, date interpretation
Building Bliss for ButterfliesElementary1migration, Monarchs, phenology, plants, flowers, insects, climate changegame, demonstration
What's in My Backyard? Identifying Winter Birds in MichiganAdvanced Elementary, Middle, High1+classification, birds, Michigandemonstration, tour
Where the Wild Things Are: How Rainfall Drives Food Web InteractionsElementary, Middle, High.5-1food web, water cycle, Africa, migration, SerengetiGame, Demonstration
Wetlands: Not just a swampy placeElementary1-2wetlands, water, food webdemonstration
Sex Changes, Drugs, and Rockin’ Dead ZonesAdvanced Middle, High3+dead zone, algal bloom, stratification, sex ratio, contaminantsdemonstration, game
Chi-Square test: When and how to useHigh (AP Biology).5-1chi-square, chi-square goodness of fit, statistics, data analysis, female song, wrendata interpretation, mathematics
BEST plots Landscape Legacy ApplicationMiddle, High1-2Landuse, Google EarthInquiry, data interpretation, graphing
Variety is the spice of life!Middle, High2 genetic drift, heterozygous, homozygous, genotype, allele frequencies, Hardy-Weinbergdemonstration, game
Developing Research Questions Using BEST PlotsElementary, Middle, High1inquiry, data interpretation
Bug Lyphe! An NGSS observational biodiversity studyMiddle, High2-5Ecosystem, Biodiversity, Invertebrates, Ecosystem Function, Observational Study, Graphing, NGSS, Next Generation Science Standardsinquiry, data interpretation, graphing
Survivor: Extreme EnvironmentsHigh2Invasive plantsgame, demonstration
Roid Rage: Is it just for boys?Middle, High1-2Steroids, Hyenas, Competitiondemonstration, game
Michigan's Most UnwantedMiddle, High1-2Invasive species, Sea lamprey, Dichotomous key, Graphing exercisedemonstration, graphing
What's the Buzz?Middle, Upper Elementary1-1.5Plants, Flowers, Pollinators, Adaptationdemonstration
Forest of FortuneElementary, Middle, High2Management, Human impacts, Ecology, Wildlifegame
How do Scientist Study Succession?High3-4Succession, Data, Graphing, Land management, Analysisdata interpretation, graphing
Where does plant mass come from?High2-3Photosynthesis, Respiration, Plant growth, Carbon cycleinquiry, data interpretation
To Fish or Not To FishHigh1-2Human impacts, Aquatic systems, Fish, Environmental sustainabilitydata interpretation, debate
Mycorrhizae: Mutualism or Parasitism?Middle2Mutualism, Parasitism, Soil, Species interactionsGame
Light and Plant BiomassMiddle, High1-2Plant biomass, Photosynthesisinquiry, data interpretation
Invisible Friends UndergroundMiddle, High, College3-4Soil, Species interactions, Microscopic organisms, Mutualismsinquiry, demonstration
Into thin air: What happens to leaves when they decompose?Middle, High4+Decomposition, Carbon cycle, Vernier sensors, Graphinginquiry, data interpretation, graphing
Animal MotionElementary1Motion, Animals, Plants, Seed dispersal, Movementdemonstration
Albedo: How much of the sun's energy gets absorbed?Middle4Graph data, Interpret graphs, Light absorption, EnergyInquiry, data, interpretation
Humans and BiodiversityHigh5Biodiversity, Human impactsInquiry, data interpretation, mathematics
The Subliminal Significants of SoilHigh1Carbon cycle, soil, community ecology, human impactsinquiry
Succession: patterns in the field and in seedMiddle, High2Session, Adaptations, Biodiversitydemonstration, tour
Rotten but not forgottenHigh1-2Decomposition, Carbon Cycleinquiry, demonstration
Microbes on Trial: A Case for the Benefits Provided by Microbes in EcosystemsMiddle, High2Microbes, Species interactions, Ecosystemsdemonstration, student presentation
Lady Beetle BlitzElementary, Middle, High1-2Biodiversity, Invasive speciesinquiry, data interpretation
From Molecules to Populations: Describing Diversity Using Molecular ToolsElementary, Middle, HighGenetic tools, DNA, Genotype, Phenotypedata interpretation
Conserving water and calculating your water footprintElementary, Middle, High1Water conservation, Human impacts, Human interactionsinquiry, student presentation
You're not you when you are hungry...Elementary, Middle, High3Animal Behavior, Variation, Personalityinquiry, game
Groundwater Conceptions and ProcessesTeachers, High1-3Water, Pollution, Human Impactsdemonstration
Gases matter!Elementary1.5Gases, Mass, Matterdemonstration
Frogsicles: how frogs survive the winterMiddle, High2Water properties, Osmosis, Adaptationsinquiry, demonstration
Winter Schoolyard: Soil and Air TemperatureElementary, Middle1Winter Ecology, Soil, WeatherInquiry
Winter Cover CropsMiddle, High4Agriculture, Winter Ecology, Plant Traitsinquiry, student presentation
Volume of Snow and WaterElementary, Middle1Physical Science, States of Matterinquiry
Thinking About WasteElementary1Conservationdemonstration
Rainy Day Habitat LessonElementary1Habitat, Invertebratesinquiry
Microscopic Life in WaterElementary1Algae, Aquatic, Water, Microscopedemonstration
Land Conservation DebateMiddle, High1Conservation, Land Managementdebate
Is CO2 An Atmospheric Pollutant?Middle2Pollution, Carbon, Gasesdata interpretation, panel discussion
Iron in CerealElementary1Nutrition, MagnetismInquary, demonstration
How Do Birds Fly?Elementary0.5Birds, Animals, Traitsdemonstration
Don't Shell Yourself ShortMiddle, High2Evolution, Natural selection, Human impactsgame
Comparison of Historical Lake Ice Cover Data From Three Lakes in Michigan and WisconsinMiddle, High1-2Climate Change, Water, Lakesdata interpretation, graphing
History and Diversity of American CropsMiddle6Crops, Managementdemonstration
Hairy LeavesMiddle1Plants, Physiology, InquiryInquiry, graphing
Where does plant mass come from?Elementary6Plants, carbon cycle, biomass, growthinquiry, data interpretation
Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: The Good, Bad, and UglyMiddle1Habitat loss, Management, Habitat Fragmentationgame
Food ChainElementary0.5Preditor-Pray, Food Chain, Ecology, Trophic levelsgame
All About CornUpper Elementary, Middle1.5Plants, Agriculture, Math, Crops, Energydata interpretation, mathmatics
Big Roots for Big Problems: Exploring the Ecosystem Services of RootsMiddle, High1.5Trees, Roots, Ecosystem Services, Flooding, Drought, Soil Retention, Project GREEN, Erosiondemonstration, inquiry
BoxCar2D ~ Evolving better carsMiddle, High2Evolution, Engineering, Local Adaptation, Fitness, Traits, Natural Selectioninquary, demonstration
BEST plots ~ Using real data in the classroomElementry, Middle, High2Biofuel, BEST Plots, Data Nuggets, Diversity, Competition, Nutrients, Plants, Inects, Invertebrates, Graphing, Claims, Evidence, Reasoningdata interpretation, graphing
Water in the Classroom: Lake MixingMiddle1Lake Mixing, Stratification, Turn-Over, Ocean Layering, Temperature, Salinitydemonstration
Water in the classroom: Lake MixingElementary, Middle, High2Water, Chemistry, Winter, Lakes, Limnologydemonstration
Pollination: what’s on your flowers? Elementary, Middle, High2Ecology, Mutualism, Pollination, Plant Ecology, Insects, Flowersinquiry
Natural Selection in the ClassroomHighFull semester, yearEvolution, Natural Selection, Plants, Crayfish, Snailsinquiry
Effect of fish on pond invertebrate community structureElementary, Middle, High4Aquatic Invertebrates, Keystone Predator, Community Ecology, Insects, Fish, Field Tripinquiry, data interpretation
Weeds! Tricks of the tradeHigh1Dispersal, Seed Bank, Landscape Ecology, Graphing, Weeds, Volunteersdemonstration, graphing
Seeds on the RunMiddle, High1Dispersal, Seeds, Trade-offs, Herbivory, Gamegame
The Double Life of A Squirrel: Seed Disperser and PredatorMiddle2Foraging, Project Squirrel, Observational Study, Animal Behavior, Dispersal, Predation, Seed Citizen ScienceInquiry, data interpretation
The New Farmer's Almanac: Agriculture and Climate ChangeHigh1.5Climate Change, Michigan, Weather Patterns, Agriculture, Crops, Corn, Soybean, Wheat, Farm, Rain, Precipitation, Temperaturedata interpretation, graphing
The Best Genes for the JobMiddle, High1Evolution, Mimicry, Game, Density Dependent, Predator, Prey, SurvivalGame
Dividends from DiversityMiddle1.5Diversity, Game, Invertebrates, Ecosystem ServicesGame
Why Fly South? How climate change alters the phenology of plants and animalsMiddle, High1Phenology, flower time, lake ice cover, climate change, citizen sciencedata interpretation, graphing
It's Getting Hot in Here!Elementary, Middle, High1Climate Change, Impacts on flora and fauna, Games, Polar Bear, Nemo, Clownfish, Bullwinklegame
Why is there variation in personality type? Does fishing impact the variation?High2Bass, Simulation, Evolution, Natural Selection, Phenotype, Heritability, SustainabilityGame
The Hunger GamesMiddle, High1Evolution, Genetics, Genotype, Phenotype, Game, Graphinggame
Geeked About BeaksElementary, Middle, High1.5Survival, Reproduction, Animal Behavior, Game, Evolution, Environment, Environmental Change, Predator, Praygame
CannibalismHigh1Tadpoles, Animal Behavior, Game, Evolution, Kin Selection, Strategygame
Angry BirdsHigh1Birds, Animal Behavior, Game, Evolution, Kin Selection, Strategygame
Algal Biofuels: An Emerging Renewable EnergyMiddle, High1Algal biofuels, Sustainability, Alternative Fuels, Algae, Phytoplankton, Renewable Energygame, demonstration
Evolving to InvadeMiddle, High1Invasive Species, Evolution, Seeds, Gamegame
Invasion: Total Take-Over!Middle, High1Invasive Species, Biological Control, Human Impacts, Game, Michigan, Monstersgame
How seeds get aroundElementary1.5Seed, Wind, Water, Animal Dispersal, Physical Characteristics, Adaptationdemonstration, inquiry
Experimental Design and Communicating Scientific FindingsMiddle, High1Scientific Poster, Presentation, Method, Controlled Experimentdemonstration, student presentation
Climate Change: the basis of beliefGlobal Warming, Quantitative, Claim, Graphics, Figures, Evidencedata interpretation
Biotic Resistance - What can stop invasive species?Middle1Invasive Species, Enemy Release, Biotic Resistance, Herbivory, Disease, Predation, Gamegame
The Marvels of MudMiddle, High2Sediment, Aquatic Ecosystems, Water, Phosphorus, Experimental Control, Treatment, Observation, Ecosystem Effectsinquiry
Survivor: Who will be the best competitor?Elementary, Middle, High1Survival, Competition, Game, Evolution, Predation, Preadator, Praygame
How do mutations and invasions affect populations?Elementary, Middle, High1Resources, Natural Selection, Extinction, Displacement, Competition, Theory, Graphs, Hypothesis, Observation, Advantageous TraitGame
Sounds of SelectionMiddle, High1.5Frogs, Survival, Reproduction, Strategy, Game, Human Impactsgame
N2O: It's No Laughing Matter!Middle, High1Biofuels, Global Warming, Gas, Carbon, Greenhouse, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, Nitrogen, EmissionsInquiry
Mutualism in ActionMiddle, High2Mutualist, Symbiosis, Soybean, Rhizobia, Bacteria, Nitrogen, Light, Agriculture, Plant, Cropinquiry
Invasive Species GameMiddle 1.5Invasive Species, Michigan Plants, Enemy Release, Introduced Species, Native Species, Human Disturbancegame
Take students on a field trip to do a forest walk!Elementary, Middle1.5+Outdoors, Michigan, Animals, Plants, Observation, Identificationdemonstration, tour
Do herbivores prefer local or exotic foods?Elementary, Middle, High2Invasive Species, Enemy Release, Herbivory, Disease, Oaks, Galls, Native Speciesinquiry, data interpretation, graphing
BEST Research NetworkElementary, Middle, HighVariableSoil, Chemistry, Nitrogen, InquiryInquiry, BEST protocol, Kit available
BEST Plot Landscape ProtocolElementary, Middle, HighVariableLand use, Human Impact, Inquiry, MapsInquiry, BEST protocol, Kit available
Best Plot Biomass ProtocolElementary, Middle, HighVariableBiofuels, Bioenergy, Inquiry, Data InterpretationInquiry, BEST protocol, Kit available
BEST Plot Biodiversity ProtocolElementary, Middle, HighVariableBiofuels, Biodiversity, Inquiry, Data InterpretationInquiry, BEST protocol, Kit available
Decomposition: The Ultimate Disappearing Act!Late middle, Early High2soil, microbes, carbon loss, matter transitionsinquiry, data interpretation, graphing
Invasion Meltdown: Will Climate Change Make Invasions Even Worse?Middle, HighInvasive species, climate changeexperiment, data, graphing
Growing energy: comparing biofuel crop biomassagriculture, biofuels, climate change, fertilization, plantsdata interpretation, graphing, scientific method
Springing Forward: Does climate change cause plants to flower earlier?Middle, Highclimate change, plant life cycles, phenologydata, scientific method
The ground has gas!Highclimate change, temperature, greenhouse gasses, nitrogen, plantsdata interpretation, graphing, scientific method
Fertilizing biofuels may cause release of greenhouse gassesHighbiofuels, climate change, fertilization, greenhouse gasses, nitrogendata interpretation, graphing, scientific method
Fair Traders or Freeloaders?HighMutualism, evolution, legume, plants, rhizobia, nitrogendata interpretation, graphing, scientific method
Does a partner in crime make it easier to invade?HighInvasive plants, mutualism, evolution, legume, plants, parasitism, rhizobia, nitrogen,data interpretation, scientific method,
Do invasive species escape their enemies?Highinvasive species, native plants
Do insects prefer local or foreign foodsHighEcology, enemy Release Hypothesis, environmental, herbivory, insects, invasive species, plants
Dangerously BoldMiddle
Carbon TimeElementary, Middle, HighVariableSystems and Scale, Animal, plant, decomposers, ecosystems, human energy systems, carbon
Bird Feeder SurveyElementaryBasic needs of birds, common bird species identification, countingInquiry
Habitat SelectionMiddleHabitat selection, density, scientific processexperiment, data collection, graphing
Physics of Flight InvestigationMiddleLift, drag, thrust, weight, pressure, scientific processdata, experiment
Butterfly BonanzaElementaryMetamorphosis, life cycles, life requirementsdemonstration
Diversity in a Leaf Pack (MSP Lesson)Middle, Highbiodiversity, energy and matter, fresh water stream ecologyhands on, experiment
Summer Institute, June 26-28, 2018, The Natural History of NOWElementary, Middle, HighVariablesummer institute, workshop, natural history, habitat fragmentation, ants, data collection, kellogg forestworksheets, inquiry, data collection, hands on, field trip
2017 K-12 Partnership Summer Institute Aug. 9-11, 2017Elementary, Middle, HighVariablesummer institute, workshop, Lux arbor, bird conservation, pork, microbes, invasive aquatic plantsworksheets, inquiry, data collection, hands on, field trip
2017 K-12 Partnership Fall Workshop, Oct. 24, 2017Elementary, Middle, HighVariableprairie plants, Tyler Bassett, carbon time, underwear experiment, data nuggetsworksheets, inquiry, data collection, hands on, field trip
2018 K-12 Partnership Spring Workshop, April 18, 2018Elementary, Middle, HighVariablebutterflies, junk drawer robotics, underwater ORVs, data nuggets, treesworksheets, inquiry, data collection, hands on, field trip
Fall K-12 Partnership Workshop, Oct. 31, 2018Elementary, Middle, HighVariableScience isn't Spooky, microbes, fish, sturgeon, pollinators, bioblitz, inaturalist, invasive species, drones, antibiotic resistance, Project BioDiversify, microbesworksheets, inquiry, data collection, hands on, field trip
Teaching Science Outdoors_Winter ScienceElementaryVariableFall 2017 Workshop, Winter, Weather, Science Books, Reading, outdoorsdata sheet, lesson plan, reading/book list, outdoors
Summer 2018 Institute LessonsElementary, Middle, HighVariableSummer 2018 Institute, plants, botany, herbaria, behavior, data collection, pollination, bees, dendrology, trees, microbiome, human evolution, ants, microbes, leaves, physical computing, Squareland Mysteries, bouyancy, turtle mark recapture, Wild Edibles
Fall 2018 Workshop LessonsElementary, Middle, HighVariableantibiotic resistant bacteria, BioBlitz, birding, diversity, inclusion, drones, sturgeon behavior, invasive species, mycorrhizal fungi, pollinators, Fall 2018 Workshop
Be a Botanist: creating a classroom herbariumElementary, Middle, High2-3herbaria, plants, specimen, observations, careers, biodiversity, plant identificationlesson plan, outdoors, classroom, hands on, art, data collection, observation
Learn about Birds Resources 2019Elementary, Middle, Highbirds, migration, bird banding, native plants, habitatresources, links
Spring 2019 Workshop Teaching MaterialsElementary, Middle, HighVariablebiodiversity, climate change, experiments, insects, birds, evolution, GLBRC, carbon cycle, school gardens, pollinators, population dynamics, population models, Data Nuggets, Spring 2019 Workshoplesson plan, outdoors, modeling, worksheets, data, game, online, resources
Population Booms and Busts: modeling population dynamics in the classroomMiddle, High2, Variablepopulations, population dynamics, population modeling, exponential growth, logistic growth, predator prey, invasive species, population growth ratelesson plan, resources, game, data
Summer 2019 InstituteElementary, Middle, HighVariable3D assessment, pollinators, bee-friendly, 4J, bee houses, BioBlitz, biodiversity, insects, birds, evolution, chromebooks, probeware, project-based science, Create for STEM, adaptations, pollen, restoration, decision-making, nitrogen, nitrogen fixation, s'mores, solar ovens, seeds, dispersal, seed predation, granivory, clonal, rhizomes, water quality, macroinvertebrates, water, vernal pools, MNFI, eDNAresources, links, lesson plan, outdoors, hands on, classroom, data collection, experiment, observation, worksheets
Fall 2019 WorkshopElementary, Middle, HighVariablefall 2019, climate change, global change, turtle, arctic, sturgeon, bird, sanctuaryresources, links, lesson plan, outdoors, hands on, classroom, data collection, experiment, observation, worksheets
Webinar Oct. 19, 2016 Teaching Science OutdoorsElementary1 hourTeaching Science Outdoors, elementary teacher professional developmentWebinar 4 of 4
Webinar May 19, 2016 Teaching Science OutdoorsElementary1 hourTeaching Science Outdoors, elementary teacher professional developmentWebinar 3 of 4
Webinar March 10, 2016 Teaching Science OutdoorsElementary1 hourTeaching Science Outdoors, elementary teacher professional developmentWebinar 2 of 4
Webinar Feb. 4, 2016 Teaching Science OutdoorsElemenatary1 hourTeaching Science Outdoors, elementary teacher professional developmentWebinar 1 of 4
What is the Grand River Watershed like?Elementary1 hourTeaching Science Outdoors, elementary teacher professional development, Michigan Science Teachers Association, MSTAlesson plan, outdoor, classroom, hands on, observation, watershed, phenomena
2017 Teaching Science Outdoors websiteElementaryvariableTeaching Science Outdoors, elementary teacher professional development, 2017, Kellogg Biological Station (KBS), Tollgate Farm and Education Centerprofessional development resources, lesson plans, teacher products
2016 Teaching Science Outdoors WebsiteElementaryvariableTeaching Science Outdoors, elementary teacher professional development, 2016, Kellogg Biological Station (KBS)professional development resources, lesson plans, teacher products
2015 Teaching Science Outdoors WebsiteElementaryvariableTeaching Science Outdoors, elementary teacher professional development, 2015, Kellogg Biological Station (KBS)professional development resources, lesson plans, teacher products
2014 Teaching Science Outdoors WebsiteElementaryvariableTeaching Science Outdoors, elementary teacher professional development, 2014, Kellogg Biological Station (KBS)professional development resources, lesson plans, teacher products
What science job do you want?Elementary, Middle, Highless than 5 minutescareer, careers, jobs, natural resources, scienceonline 'quiz'
2020 Summer Institute ResourcesElementary, Middle, High SchoolvariableSummer 2020 Summer Institute, birds of prey live, professional development, recordings of sessions, lesson plans, activities
Antibiotic Resistance LessonHigh School1 hourAntibiotic resistance, bacteria, evolutionlesson plan, presentation, data
Online/Virtual K-12 Student ProgramsElementary, Middle, High SchoolvariableBirds of prey, meet a scientist, virtual, online, synchronous and asynchronous content, field triplesson plan, field trip, live online programs
Exploring with ScientistsElementary, Middle45 minutes for K-5 OR 60 minutes for 6-12STEM careers, interview a scientist, evolution, conservation, frogs, herpetologyvideos, online field trip, virtual program
Bird of Prey InterviewElementary, Middle, High School35 minutesbirds of prey, raptors, red-tailed hawk, adaptation, biology, ecologyvideos, online field trip, virtual program
KBS Nature ChallengeElementary, Middle, High School20 minutesvideo, Flipgrid, nature observation, Intro to Your Backyard; Things in Motion; Poetry Outside; Signs of Spring; Find the Rainbow; Tour a Tree; Where is the Water?videos, Flipgrid
Padlet_Collaborative Teacher Climate Science SeriesNetworkElementary, Middle, High Schoolvariablecollection of resources for place-based, outdoor educationprofessional development
Climate Science Series 2021_padletMIddle School, High School4 hoursprofessional development, webinar series, recordings, climate change, climate science, land use change, deforestation, enRoads Climate Interactive, biofuels, agricultureprofessional development, webinar series, video series, recordings
HOW PLANTS RESPOND TO CLIMATE CHANGE: CLASSROOM DATASETS FROM HARVARD FOREST AND KELLOGG BIOLOGICAL STATION LONG TERM ECOLOGICAL RESEARCHElementary, Middle School, High School1.5 hoursprofessional development, webinar, recording, climate change, climate science, plants, KBS LTER, Data Nuggets, padletprofessional development webinar, Data Nuggets, worksheets, data analysis, padlet

Contact Us_KBS K-12 Programs

Questions or requests for more information about opportunities for K-12 teachers and students are welcome here!
  • MM slash DD slash YYYY

Click on the titles below to open up boxes where you will find links to these resources on our website and others.  The Links Will Look Like This.

Bird Sanctuary Lesson Plans

Includes: Resources to be used in combination with a field trip visit, self-guided scavenger hunts, habitat selection experiment.

Bird Sanctuary Lesson Plans

GK12 Program Lesson Plans

Includes: A searchable table of lesson plans created under the GK12 grants from 2006-2015. Ecology, evolution, biofuels and more.

Data Nuggets

Includes: Data Nuggets Worksheets/activities designed to give students practice interpreting quantitative information and making claims based on evidence. Data Nuggets originated from the GK-12 Partnership between teachers and MSU scientists at KBS. They are currently funded by the BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action.

Data Nuggets

Long-term Ecological Research resources for K-12 Educators

Includes: Teacher guide for the Agriculture and Ecology Student Activity Trail.

Long-term Ecological Research resources for K-12 Educators

Math Science Partnership (MSP) Project

Includes: Teaching materials for Carbon Cycle, Water Cycle, Biodiversity and Evolution and Citizenship, assessments, research reports and publications.

Pathways Project website

Math Science Partnership Teaching Experiment

Diversity in a Leaf Pack is a great lesson that several K-12 Partnership Teachers continue to use.  The Augusta Creek that flows through Kellogg Forest has been a productive and fun place to place the leaf packs.

Carbon: Transformations in Matter and Energy (Carbon TIME)

Includes: publicly available teaching units, teacher professional development, and teacher networks based in local education agencies.

Carbon: Transformations in Matter and Energy (Carbon TIME)

Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center Classroom Materials

Includes: Materials developed by teachers and professional educators associated with the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) with input from scientists. The materials are designed to engage students in learning about science and engineering challenges associated with producing sustainable biofuels. All materials are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and designed to fit within the curriculum of standard K-16 science courses.

Materials include investigations, shorter stand-alone activities and readings, as well as longer integrated units.

Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center Classroom Materials

Lessons created by KBS-based Research Experience for Teachers (RET):

Fungal Partnerships with Plant Roots and Bioenergy Production: created by, Summer 2015 GLBRC RET – Ashley Carroll (Gull Lake Community Schools)

Adapting Hands-on Bioenergy Activities for an Alternative Online High School: created by, Summer 2013 GLBRC RET- Matt Hawkins (Gull Lake Community Schools)

Analyzing Water Usage by Bioenergy Crops: created by, Summer 2012 GLBRC RET – Marty Green (Plainwell Schools)

Evolution Teaching

Lessons for Teaching Evolution: compiled by students participating in the Teaching Evolution project, summer 2015

K-12 Education Resources BEACON: An NSF Center for Evolution in Action

Includes: Box Car 2D, an interactive website where users can evolve cars using genetic algorithms

Gull Lake Gateway Academy & KBS Partnership

Includes: Alternative High School lesson plans (hands on modules to compliment the Edgenuity online curriculum used by Gateway Academy at Gull Lake Community Schools in Richland, MI), 5 modules covering heredity, how to use a microscope, energy in cells, human impact and the environment, cycles of matter, growing Wisconsin Fast Plants.

Gull Lake Gateway Academy & KBS Partnership

A legacy of conservation; a commitment to sustainability.

Green, white and gray banner with the Spartan helmet logo and the words Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Green Award 2019-20.

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