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Finding Jupiter's Moons

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Students explore Jupiter's Moons. They calculate and predict the location of Jupiter's 4 large moons. In addition, they draw Jupiter with its moons correctly shown for the time of the observation.
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Solar System Fun Facts

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students read facts about the Solar System. In this solar system lesson plan, students read facts on the dimensions, planets, and workings of the solar system. There is a big emphasis on Saturn.
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Scientific Advances Could Bring Back the Dodo & Mammoth

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students reflect on the possibility of bringing extinct species back to life.  In this ESL lesson, students debate the pros and cons of extinction reversal then complete several activities centered around the topic.
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The Joy of Natural Disasters

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Simulate a natural disaster to inspire problem-solving, collaboration, creativity, and teamwork.
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Phases of the Moon

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders observe the changes in the moon's appearance over a two week period of time from their homes. They record and illustrate their observations and also complete daytime moon viewings as a class.
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Air Pollution Over Where?

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Learners predict the movement of an air borne pollutant using their understanding of air currents. They determine which governments and/or communities should be contacted to be forewarned. They also explore the properties of their...
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Water Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify and define evaporation, condensation, precipitation and also, how these interact to complete the water cycle. They identify that water moves in a contimuous cycle, which is powered by the sun. Finally, students name...
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Investigating daylight

For Teachers 6th - 12th
students investigate a natural factor affecting their everyday lives: daylight. First, they collect data on sunrise and sunset in their hometown, create a Microsoft Office Excel chart to help them understand the data pattern, and offer a...
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Visiting the Arctic Circle

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students familiarize themselves with the Arctic Circle by locating it on a globe and wall map. They discuss they climate in the North Pole and the reasons for its low temperatures. They compare and contrast the climates of the Arctic...
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Persistence Forecasting

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Learners study weather forecasting. In this weather instructional activity, students explore forecasting weather methods and do a forecast. Learners study weather reports and discuss the elements of a forecast. Students study the method...
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Fire and Fire Suppression

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore forest fires and forest service's new stategies. They study a case of natural burn and the impact of lowering the intensity of a larger forest fire.
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Water Quality Monitoring of Natural Water

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Pupils create their own monitoring program for natural water. They collect samples from an appropriate sampling site. They perform chemical and biological analyses of their samples. They present their information to the class.
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Astronauts Train in Deep-Space Brine

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students examine an article on astronauts training in deep space brine then discuss what they learned.  In this investigative lesson students get into groups and design an exercise that includes isolation, silence and conflict...
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The Intertidal Zone: Tides and How Creatures Survive

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study the properties of ocean water and tides and learn about animals that live in intertidal zones. In this intertidal zone lesson, students participate in classroom stations to learn about fresh water and salt water, cold...
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The Trash We Pass

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students engage in a study of trash and how it is disposed of in the environment. They also research the impact of recycling and its effects upon the disposal amounts. Students calculate the advantages of recycling using real world...
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Bats Migrate South

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students examine the life of bats in Illinois. Using the internet, they research the history of the bat in Illinois and describe the way they find prey by using echolocation. They report their findings to the class and answer any...
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Waste Management

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students set up a recycling program in their school. They first estimate the kinds and amount of trash generated and brainstorm ways to reuse the recyclables and create flyers explaining how their program will work at the school.
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Air Pollution: A Local and Global Problem

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work together to solve the problem of air pollution. Using the Internet, they research the pollution problem in one city. Using the data, they develop their own solution and pitch it to the class. They must identify the...
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Show Me the Way To Go Home

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners place a pencil perpendicular to the ground and trace its shadow between 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM. They measure the length of the shadow, periodically over several hours, in either English or Metric units. Using the data, they find...
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Create a Country

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Young scholars work in small groups to list features and elements found on a variety of grade- appropriate maps. They develop a class list of map features and elements to draw from as they create a map of an imaginary country.
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Buddy, Are You Ready?-Preparing for School Emergencies

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore natural disasters by reading stories about volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. They explore safe behaviors in order to understand what to expect in a catastrophe. Students practice safe evacuation procedures...
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Shake, Rattle and Roll

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore how to locate the location of an earthquake and why earthquakes happen more frequently in some areas more than others.
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The Urban Explosion

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars investigate the uncontrolled development of the world's major cities. They define key vocabulary terms, view and discuss video excerpts, and complete a project that involves drawing a "perfect city," developing a plan to...
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Social Studies: Your Family Does What?

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders compare and contrast their own personal culture with that of Japan. They fill out questionnaires, compile the results, and match them with Japanese answers to the same forms. Students create a Venn diagram of the...