Lesson Plan
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Identifying the Relationship Between Black Carbon and the Weather

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students identify the relationship between black carbon and the weather.  In this investigative lesson plan students compare samples of black carbon with a color-scale and analyze others samples. 
Lesson Plan
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Tornadoes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine the characteristics of a tornado. They practice using new vocabulary and participate in a question and answer session. They use the internet to gather more specific information.
Lesson Plan
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Bacteria: Friend or Foe?

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine a variety of environmental and industrial roles of bacteria. explore where bacteria can be found and distinguish bacteria from other organisms.
Lesson Plan
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Predator Protector Game

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students take on the role of an Ocean Adventures expedition volunteer member and are charged with protecting three species of sharks from danger in order to defend the balance of nature in the ecosystem. They play an online game which...
Lesson Plan
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Disappearing Rocks

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the causes of erosion and observe how different surfaces erode differently. They recognize erosion and predict what type of erosion caused it. In addition, they predict the outcomes of erosion on different materials.
Worksheet
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Working With Hypotheses

For Students 6th - 8th
In this science worksheet, students examine the topic in order to solidify knowledge covered in the curriculum using puzzles and creative games.
Lesson Plan
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Air Is All Around Us!

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students design an instrument to show that air is all around. In this air lesson plan, students research, construct, and present a design that proves that air is all around, even though they can't see it or touch it. A teacher and self...
Lesson Plan
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How Old Is Mike?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine the absolute dating of fossils, they use a list of names and ages to determine the difference between relative age and absolute age. They explore the relative age and absolute age of people and of fossils.
Lesson Plan
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Climate Change & Coral Activities

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students study how the ocean stabilizes our planet's climates and how global warming is becoming a threat to this fine balance.  In this climate change lesson, students identify that fossil fuel emissions are responsible for...
Lesson Plan
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Waste Not Want Not

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners are introduced to the need to save natural resources. Through inquiry, hands-on activities, and problem solving, students increase their understanding of solid waste materials and the need to reduce, recycle, and reuse.
Lesson Plan
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Areology-The Study of Mars

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students examine core samples from Mars and discover what they can use it to tell the history of Mars.  In this core sample instructional activity students create and analyze their own core samples then eat them at the end.
Lesson Plan
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Distribution of Active Volcanoes Exercise

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students collect and plot data, then interpret the results and answer questions about the geologic causes and the human effects of volcanic eruption. They participate in a role-play activity and a virtual field trip, as well.
Lesson Plan
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Rock Cycle Activity

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
A few of the components of this activity are not possible to carry out because the rock cycle diagram and challenge handouts are not included. Hopefully, you already have your own rock cycle diagram or worksheet to use as a concept...
Lesson Plan
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Sundials: Keeping Time Like Native Americans

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students explore the use of sundials. They observe the shadows cast by the sun and record the times at various points throughout the day. They create sundials and record the location of the shadows and the time of day. They view a...
Lesson Plan
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Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students become familiar with coal as an energy source and how it is mined.  In this coal lesson, students research the effects of coal mining on the environment. Students discuss the various problems associated with coal mining....
Lesson Plan
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Erosion

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students design and conduct an open-ended investigation using a variety of earth materials to answer a questions posed by the teacher: How does the erosion of sand compare with the erosion of gravel? After producing evidence that...
Lesson Plan
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The Fault Line

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students use cardboard models of the North American and Pacific plates and sand to investigate what happens when there is an earthquake or movement along the boundaries of the plates.
Lesson Plan
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Asteroids

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine a potential asteroid impact site. They describe evidence and theories for extinction events.
Lesson Plan
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Identifying Indoor Environment Pollution Sources (List, Group, Label Activity)

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students identify the cause of indoor air pollution. In this indoor air pollution lesson, students list, group, and label sources of indoor pollution. They brainstorm a list of all of the indoor pollutants they can think of before...
Lesson Plan
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To Spread or Not to Spread

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore the difference between the three types of contrails. In this contrails lesson, students make observations of contrails and record them. Students identify the three types of contrails and complete an experiment activity.
Lesson Plan
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Ocean Botttom Profile

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students interpret a graph of ocean depths and topographic features. This task assesses students' abilities to interpret figures, organize and represent data, apply knowledge of scale to a profile, and apply theoretical knowledge.
Lesson Plan
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Using the Very, Very Simple Climate Model in the Classroom

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners study the relationship between the average global temperature and carbon dioxide emissions.  In this weather activity students develop a test scenario using a model then read and interpret graphs of data. 
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Understanding the Indoor Environment: The Movement of Air

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students discuss HVAC to assess prior knowledge. Students create a rubric to assess their modals of HVAC units, and build the models according to instructions and discussion by the teacher.
Lesson Plan
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Invention Project

For Teachers 5th - Higher Ed
Students study air pollution and design inventions to prevent indoor environment problems. In this air pollution inventions lesson, students read about and discuss famous inventors and inventions. Students then research indoor air...