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Extinction Is Forever
Young scholars observe models of two kinds of forests with low and high biodiversity. They observe and record the effects of habitat destruction or extinction rates. They also conduct research about mass extinction like that of the...
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Creating a Coastal Area
Students design and lay out a map of a coastal area that includes a bay, an estuary, an ocean entrance, and prime beach lands. They write a plan outlining solutions to the economic problems of their community and present their map and...
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Fish Haunts
Students examine some of the different ecosystems that fish live in. While doing this they identify the species of fish and the ecological conditions needed for survival. Students use research resources to make fish cards that have...
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Knock On Wood
Pupils investigate the trees of the Mississippi Valley, specifically looking at the coniferous and deciduous forests. The research of the area is part of a field study when students conduct a survey of local forests in order to create a...
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Outdoor Survival
Students are introduced to basic outdoor survival concepts. They identify the seven basic needs for survival. Students describe the symptoms and treatment for frostbite and hypothermia. They compare and contrast the value of different...
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Desert Tortoise Adaptations
Students observe the Desert Tortoise in its natural surroundings. In this adaptations lesson, students study and take pictures of an animal in its habitat, then design a PowerPoint which addresses adaptations, biodiversity, and threats...
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Data Habitats
Learners develop data acquisition skills and quantify descriptive data. In this data lesson students divide into groups and do an activity that shows them why it is important to record data with accuracy and consistency.
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Environmental Justice
Students explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this Gulf Oil Spill lesson, students discuss how environmental pollution affects those how live in poverty at a higher rate than those with more affluence. Students read...
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Rapid Mycological Assessment
Middle schoolers examine types of mycology methods. They practice using new vocabulary and answer key questions. They complete a field survey and analyze their results.
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Where Do Weeds Grow Best?
Student design an experiment in order to determine where weeds grow the best. Through data collection and observations, they discover optimum conditions for weed growth, conditions that make it difficult for weeds to grow, and create...
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This Place is Going to the Dogs
Students study different breeds of dogs. They watch a video, "Extraordinary Dogs", about special dogs and how they are categorized according to their adaptations. Then they create a digital video that demonstrates the qualities of dogs...
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Ugh! We DRINK This Stuff?
Learners explain the processes involved in the cleansing and purifying of surface water. After a lecture/demo, students engage in an experiment that illustrates how water is cleansed before we drink it.
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Costa Rican Ecosystems
Students read about the Cloud Forests in Costa Rica and then answer critical thinking questions about how to prevent loss in this forest and how to slow down global warming.
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Mammals, Mammals--Everywhere!
Students explore the habitats of mammals and their physical characteristics. They research examples of mammals that must deal with daily changes in their habitat and how they cope with them. In small groups, students create a table...
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Arkansas and Louisiana Purchase Wetlands
Students experiment to determine the value and importance of wetlands in Arkansas. They develop an environmental appreciation for wetlands.
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Land Use
Students examine ecosystems that covered Illinois 200 years ago, investigate some living and non-living components of ecosystems, identify components of prairie system, create food webs, and observe human effects on environment. Lessons...
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Classification
Students work in groups of 4-6 for the experiment/activity part of this exercise. They classify ten animals using the information on the picture to group the animals. Students develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models...
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Explore the World: Create-Your-Own-Artifact
Students examine the cultures of different countries other than their own. They select a country they are interested in and research their lifestyles. Using clay, they create a model of one aspect of the new culture of their focus. ...
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Animal Kingdom: Phylum Chordata
Students use a dichotomous key to classify various vertebrate jar speciments into classes. They examine the speciments for general characteristics of each class and fill in a corresponding chart and then complete a few final assessment...
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Habitat Survey
Students observe a local habitat. They stake out a survey site with string and collect samples for their soil separation and Tullgren funnel tests. In addition, they analyze collected data.
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Examine an Ecosystem
Learners examine an ecosystem and record what they see. For this ecosystem lesson students use a worksheet to help them identify the organisms in their ecosystem.
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Average Vehicle Occupancy In Your Community
Learners determine the average vehicle occupancy in their community. In this transportation lesson students develop and analyze a survey to determine attitudes towards air pollution and transportation.