http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/horseandrider/index.html

This Web site is the online companion to the recent PBS NATURE documentary "Horse and Rider," which "explores a fascinating partnership between animal and human." Click on For Teachers on the main Web page to find an interdisciplinary lesson plan for grades 9-12. The lesson, titled Creating the "Perfect" Horse, has students study horse biology and behavior, explore the reasons why different horse breeds were developed, and analyze research findings to determine if breeding an all-purpose horse is practical or even possible. The lesson plan provides downloadable worksheets, and the main Web page contains some fun special features, including video clips. [RS]

The Laughing Brain 1: How We Laugh [pdf]
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=381
The Laughing Brain 2: A Good Laugh [pdf]
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?Grade=9-12&BenchmarkID=6&DocID=382

These Science NetLinks lesson plans (developed for grades 9-12) focus on gelotology -- or the science of laughter --and provide a great platform for studying the nervous system, immune system, psychology, and other aspects of human biology. Together, the lessons cover the neurological basis of laughter, how laughter benefits our social, mental, and physical health, and how scientists study the immunological benefits of laughter. Each lesson plan includes downloadable worksheets, articles, and other materials needed to complete the activities. [RS]

http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/genesfuture/

DiscoverSchool.com offers a lesson plan for 6-8th graders based on a Discovery Channel program Your Genes, Your Future. The lesson plan focuses on healthy behaviors rather than genetics as such, although some of the extension activities deal with genetics more directly. Students will review the benefits of eating well, exercising, and other healthy behaviors, as well as discuss the dangers of drugs, smoking, etc. Provided Web links will help students with in-class research, and educators will find useful teaching tools for creating worksheets, quizzes, and subject-specific puzzles. [RS]

http://www.nalusda.gov/fnic/educators.html

The Food and Nutrition Information Center, part of the US Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Library (NAL), offers educators an easy way to find food and nutrition information on the Web. The site is packed with links to NAL resources, such as subject- and grade-specific bibliographies, informative Web sites and databases, a downloadable lesson plan about the USDA's Nutrient Database, and much more. [RS]

http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20030902tuesday.html

This lesson plan from the New York Times Learning Network has students study and discuss the use of Humatrope, a human growth hormone used to increase height in kids. After reading and discussing a recent New York Times article on the subject (link provided), students debate the approval of Humatrope (role-playing as members of the Food and Drug Administration) and a write a position paper on their views. The lesson plan is designed for grades 6-12. [RS]

http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/index.cfm?lesson=EM363

This EconEdLink lesson plan from the National Council on Economic Education focuses on how George Washington Carver helped save agriculture in the South by creating a national demand for peanut products. While the discussion questions that accompany the lesson focus mainly on economic concepts, the lesson as a whole provides an excellent, interdisciplinary way to learn about nitrogen fixation and crop rotation. The site provides student and teacher versions of the lesson plan, the teacher version offering more background information. [RS]

http://www.beyonddiscovery.org/content/view.article.asp?a=2702

This National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Web site contains an interesting, in-depth article on the use of insect pheromones in pest management. The article is one of many from Beyond Discovery: The Path from Research to Human Benefit; a NAS-sponsored series designed to demonstrate "how science works by illustrating how basic research produces knowledge that can lead to practical results of human benefit." No formal lesson plans are provided, but the article comes with a helpful glossary, related Web links, and a timeline of events. [RS]

http://www.epa.gov/mercury/index.html

Visitors to this Web site from the US Environmental Protection Agency can learn about the ecological and health concerns associated with mercury. In addition to the resources available on the main Web page, the site also contains a teaching guide. Educators are invited to help "students learn about the health and environmental concerns associated with mercury, find out where it is in their school and homes, and help school officials and family members do something about it." The activities are designed for high school students, but could be modified for younger students. [RS]