In this 8 minute video, Paul Andersen describes how life could have formed on our planet through natural processes. The progression from monomers, to polymers, to protocells and finally to cells is described. The Miller-Urey experiment is described in detail as well as characteristics of the latest universal ancestor.

Also included are worksheets, a concept map, a slideshow, and transcript of the video.

Transcript added from YouTube subtitles. You can use this to write your own worksheet or quiz.

This article describes six collaborative and real data projects that engage elementary students in collecting and sharing local data and communicating with students across the country and world.

In this hands-on botany activity, learners sprout vegetables in film canisters. Learners grow nine seeds each of cabbage, radish, and parsley, experimenting with changing one variable (light, water, or temperature) to explore differences in the germination preferences of the plants. If film canisters aren't available, other small, opaque containers with lids can be substituted.

This expository article, written for students in grades 4-5, explains why ice floats and how this is essential to life on earth. Modified versions are available for younger students.

A closer look at the Goldilocks Conditions for life, and an animated voyage through evolution on Earth. Created by Big History Project.

A look at the "comfort zone" humans live in, and the interplay of life and the biosphere. Created by Big History Project.

Geologist Walter Alvarez gets to the bottom of a scientific murder mystery. Created by Big History Project.

Discussion of the properties of water that make it essential to life as we know it: polarity, "universal" solvent, high heat capacity, high heat of vaporization, cohesion, adhesion and lower density when frozen.

This is an extension of an activity that uses socrative question to discuss whether or not viruses are alive. I extended the activity by including an easy way to introduce the characteristics of life to precede the virus discussion.

Original resource: https://goopenva.org/courses/are-viruses-alive-sample-socratic-questions/view

Walter Alvarez introduces geology and discusses how the physical features of Earth can tell us about its history. Created by Big History Project.

Earth's 4.6 billion-year history has distinct periods. Geologists use evidence in rock record to classify these. Created by Big History Project.

A closer look at the life on Earth and the techniques scientists use to study living organisms. Created by Big History Project.

Travel through time in a rowboat to consider some of the "mini-thresholds" in the development of life on Earth. Created by Big History Project.

NASA eClips Our World:  Where Do We Find Extremophiles?Video Description:  Where do we find extremophiles? We look for environments that push the limits for ordinary living organisms. NASA conducts analog testing in these extreme environments to better understand life on Earth and identify the potential for life in the universe.  Video Length:  3:25. NASA eClipsTM is a suite of online student-centered, standards-based resources that support instruction by increasing STEM literacy in formal and nonformal settings.  These free digital and downloadable resources inform and engage students through NASA-inspired, real-world connections.NASA eClips Our World videos (grades 3-5) help students understand the differences between science (the natural world) and engineering (the designed world).  These video segments supplement elementary learning objectives not only in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, but also in reading, writing, visual and performing arts.

explains how objects such as a letter written by Abe Lincoln and a dress worn by Lady Bird Johnson's are preserved to ensure safety while on exhibit in a museum. The site looks at steps taken by conservators to preserve objects, including examination, stabilization, research, and restoration.

This article features children's literature about oceans - specifically the Arctic and Southern Oceans.

Today we're talking about evolution–basically the history of all life on Earth. The thing is, why are we talking about this. Well, the story of life, all the way back to single celled microbes billions of years ago, is all part of our human story. An important facet of the story of life is the story of death. This episode will look at the various mass extinctions along the way, and we'll also talk about the sixth mass extinction, which is going on now, and is kind of driven by humans. Sorry everybody.