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Pesticide Watch Card
Students examine human health by identifying dangerous pesticides. In this agriculture lesson, students research the food production system in the United States and discuss dangers such as pesticides, chemicals and insecticides which...
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Bugs, Worms and Others
Students explore biology by conducting an outdoor research activity. In this insect identification lesson, students collaborate with classmates to examine organisms they find on a class field trip either in their school playground or a...
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Comparing Microscopic Organisms in Fresh and Polluted Water: An Invitation To Inquiry
Students have the opportunity to develop and formulate ideas and explanations through the scientific standard of inquiry. They identify organisms by using an identification key for specific aquatic geographical area.
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Design a Reef!
Middle schoolers explore coral reef ecosystems. In this ecosystems science lesson plan, students research coral reef ecosystems to determine the major functions the participating organisms must perform. Middle schoolers construct a...
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Natural Inquirer Ecosystem Article Lesson
Students discover new ways to preserve the ecosystem by completing graphic organizers. In this environmental activity, students read an article from the Natural Inquirer in small groups and fill out a graphic organizer based on the...
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Microscopy Exercises
Learners explore organisms and botany by utilizing microscopes. In this microscopic research lesson, students define many plant and organism related vocabulary terms such as conifers, moss and spores. Learners view spores and other...
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Sticklers
Students explore biology by participating in a habitat identification activity. In this sticklers lesson, students utilize land markers as part of an organism simulation in which they examine the habitat of a specific species. Students...
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Urban Biology: Can Fish Detect Odors
Students investigate how fish use their sense of smell. In this scientific method lesson, students design and perform an experiment to investigate how fish use their sense of smell. This lesson includes statistical analysis and safety ...
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Honey Bee Biology
Students review the basic parts of an insect and explore the anatomical characteristics of a honey bee. The second part of the lesson focuses on ways to identify a honey bee from other stinging insects.
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A Frog's Life Story
Students investigate the lives of frogs by completing several worksheets. In this biology lesson, students discover the life cycle of a frog from tadpole to death. Students complete frog life cycle puzzle as well as create a life cycle...
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Classifying "Pastanimals"
Students explore biology by creating a poster presentation. In this animal classification lesson, students utilize a SMART board and practice organizing a group of animal shapes by placing them with similar animal families. Students...
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Habitat Dynamics
Learners develop an interactive diary to record bird seed consumption. In this habitat lesson plan, students predict and record the amount of birdseed eaten each week by birds.
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Whose Brain is THAT?!
Learners explore various animal brains. In this animal anatomy lesson, students compare and contrast animal brains with the brain of a human. They record several characteristics in a data table for each brain they observe.
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Down in the Dumps
After an introduction to municipal sludge, middle school ecologists consider the pros and cons of dumping in the Hudson River Canyon. The class is split into two groups: one to debate in favor or dumping and one to debate against the...
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Imagine a Kelp Forest
Students write a story based on their research of the kelp forest. In this ecosystem lesson plan, students view a video and research the kelp forest ecosystem. They write a short story imagining the discovery of a new species in the kelp...
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Become an Expert
Students practice their researching techniques by preparing a presentation with little notice. In this information research lesson, students utilize the Internet to research one of several subtopics concerning panthers. Students...
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Schoolyard Tree Inventory and Biodiversity Project
Students investigate the trees in their schoolyard by collecting data. In this ecosystem instructional activity students examine the schoolyard in sections, tagging and numbering trees and shrubbery in the specific area. Students...
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Solve the Case!
Students discover the habits of panthers by solving fictitious crime mysteries. In this animal life lesson, students utilize their research from previous lessons to solve mysteries in a panther activity. Students answer questions about...
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The Water in Our Lives: Be the Bug
Students examine a local water supply and create a fictional invertebrate specifically adapted to thrive in that environment. They write a short story from the invertebrate's point of view.