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The Study of Urban and Suburban Environments within the Mystic River Watershed
High school students examine their own water-based environments, within the Mystic Watershed. As the learners engage in inquiry-based, hands-on projects, critical thinking skills and problem-solving, the project will lead them to cross...
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Dripping Wet or Dry as a Bone?
Students use a sponge and water model to explore the concept of relative humidity and create a percent scale. They define humidity and saturation, build a simple humidity/saturation model, collect, predict and interpret data, and create...
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Life in Extreme Environments
Pupils compare and contrast local environments with the extreme environment of the Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Students explore and gain knowledge of the adaptations organisms use to survive extreme conditions and the diverse conditions...
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Terrestrial Hi-Lo Hunt
Students assess environmental factors. In this environmental factors lesson, students explore their surroundings identifying warm and cool spots, dry and wet areas, and determining the warmest and coolest areas. Students analyze their...
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Living in the Greenhouse
Students discuss the different types of climate zones found throughout the world. They participate in activities which relate to real events. They make observations and the consequences of their actions on the environment.
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Recycling!
Pupils explore environmental awareness by participating in a recycling activity. In this sustainability lesson plan, students identify methods in which things can be reused, such as paper. Pupils utilize aluminum foil, a bowl, water,...
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Sow Bug Habitats
Students conduct an experiment to determine what type of environment sow bugs prefer. They use petri dishes with partially wet paper towels to assess whether they prefer wet or dry habitats.
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Water Conditions
Students investigate the importance of water in an environment with living things. in this water conditions lesson plan, students soak radish sees in water, vinegar, soap and alcohol. Students remove the seeds, store them for a few days...
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Characteristics of Living Things
Student use the scientific method to experiment with worms. In this characteristics of living things lesson, learners predict and examine the reactions of worms to dry and wet soil. Students share their findings.
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Time and Cycles - Dendrochronology
Students investigate the lives of trees by examining ring cycles. In this plant life lesson, students identify the field of study known as dendrochronology and discover its history. Students investigate a simulated tree ring and...
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What's In the Dirt?
Third graders watch a demonstration and write in their journals their predictions about how time might affect the moisture in the two paper towels. Using a Berlese funnel, they record their observations when it comes the amount of...
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Set the Stage
Young scholars observe evaporation in a controlled environment. Evaporation is the change of liquid water into water vapor (a gas). The rate of evaporation is determined by many factors such as air temperature and humidity, liquid...
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Mini-Ecosystems
Students use plastic bottles to create terrariums and plant Venus Flytraps. They observe the plants and the terrariums for illustrations of the water cycle and species' adaptations to a specific environment.
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Soil's Secret
Students examine two types of soils in their area. They identify its texture and permeability to determine its origin. They share their results with the class.
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Autumn Bulb Planting Outside - Making a Daffodil Spiral
Students plant daffodil bulbs. In this gardening activity, students work outside to plant daffodil bulbs in the autumn so that they can grow roots and emerge by spring.
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Wacky Water Critters
Young scholars visit a local creek or stream. They collect water samples from the creek and observe and sort the "water critters" they find in the sample, observing smaller organisms under a microscope if necessary. They identify each...
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Thematic Unit on Cats
Students discover in which climates the cats of the world live in. They review the different climates of the world and use maps and globes to help them locate continents.
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Biodegradability
Students test a variety of plastic bags to test its biodegradability. They record their observations and discuss them once the experiment is complete. They identify materials best suited to be placed in a landfill.
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Methods of Heat Transfer
Eighth graders discuss the forms of heat transfer that relate to the human body. Discussion revolves around the ability of different designs of hats to change the rate of heat transfer to and from the body. Students then experiment...
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Land Use Issues
Students discover seeds are a source of life. They also label the parts of a seed and examine the conditions which are needed for the seed to start growing. They follow the life cycle of seeds.
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Transformation of Energy
Sixth graders explore and discuss how several electrical devices work and what energy conversions occur in each device. They connect a zinc strip to a copper strip with alligator clips and wire, immersing each strip in lemon and check...