2nd Grade Life Science Activities

It’s so important to engage students in hands-on activities that help them learn about the world around them. With so many resources available, it can be hard to know which ones will be the most effective for your students.

That's why we've compiled this list of three great read alouds and accompanying resources that you can use to teach your 2nd-grade students about STEM, life science, and habitat building.

  1. Save the Bees

  2. If You Hold a Seed

  3. Cactus Hotel

Pollination Investigation with Save the Bees Read Aloud

Learn about pollination with this Second Grade Science Activity as a companion to the read aloud Save the Bees by Bethany Stahl!

Scientists do different things when they are studying a new topic. Sometimes they observe and take notes. They conduct experiments and build models to explain their thinking about a topic.

In this Second Grade STEM Lesson, students learn about bees and their important job in order to create a model. The model demonstrates how bees pollinate flowers and plants. 

Material List:

  • cupcake liners

  • tape or glue sticks

  • powdered drink mix (preferably orange)

  • pipe cleaners (black and yellow)

  • yellow pom-poms (optional)

  • Save the Bees by Bethany Stahl

2-LS2-2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Develop a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants.

Learning Objective
I can create a model that shows how animals can help plants.

Plant Investigation with If You Hold a Seed Read Aloud

Learn about what plants need to survive with this Second Grade Science Activity as a companion to the read aloud If You Hold a Seed by Elly MacKay.

Amazing resource for STEM club, STEM teachers, elementary librarians, parents who love hands-on learning, and elementary teachers who want to create a hands-on educational environment in their classroom! 

Scientists are investigators. They study different things by observing them and recording what they see. 

In this Second Grade STEM Lesson, plan and conduct an investigation of their own. They observe and take notes over time to determine if plants need sunlight and water to grow.

Material List:

  • sticky notes

  • two houseplants

  • chart paper and markers

  • If You Hold a Seed by Elly MacKay

  • pencils and STEM journals

2-LS2-1

Plan and conduct an investigation to determine if plants need sunlight and water to grow.

Learning Objective
I can make observations about what plants need in order to grow.

STEM Challenge with Cactus Hotel Read Aloud

Learn about animal habitats with this Second Grade Science Activity as a companion to the read aloud Cactus Hotel by Brenda Z. Guiberson!

In this Second Grade STEM Lesson, students research a habitat of their choice and compare it with what they learned about the desert in Cactus Hotel. They create a Triorama of their habitat to present to the class.

This 2nd Grade STEM activity aligns with NGSS Life Science Standards for 2nd Grade but can be used in 3rd grade or 4th grade too.

Material List:

  • sticky notes

  • crayons, markers, and/or colored pencils

  • construction paper

  • scissors

  • glue or tape

  • library books on habitats (types, plant life, animals)

  • Cactus Hotel by Brenda Z. Guiberson

2-LS4-1 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity

Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Learning Objective
I can make observations and compare the types of plants and animals in a habitat.

These three resources are excellent tools to engage 2nd-grade students in STEM, life science, and habitat building activities.

Each resource is designed to be hands-on and interactive, allowing students to explore the natural world in a fun and engaging way. Whether you're teaching about bees, plants, or habitats, these resources are sure to help your students develop a love for science and the natural world.

Hands-on life science STEM activities help students develop an appreciation for the natural world and the importance of conservation.

By learning about different habitats and ecosystems, students learn to respect and appreciate the diversity of life on our planet. They also learn about the importance of taking care of our planet and the steps we can take to reduce our impact on the environment.

We hope you enjoy these life science activities with your students! Together we can provide them with a foundation for understanding the natural world and the living things that inhabit it.

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