Montana State University
Sea Floor to Summit
Who knew that mountain formation could be so entertaining? Leanr how mountains form with a resource on Mount Everest. Activities to guide learning include a simulation, project, videos, coloring activities, and worksheets.
Advocates for Human Rights
U.S. Immigration Policy
The United States Immigration Policy is incredibly complex. To gain a deeper understanding of the criteria, quotas, preferences, and categories of immigrants admitted to the US, class members engage in a role playing activity that...
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Bears' House Vandalized, Witnesses Say Blonde Girl Spotted Fleeing from the Scene
Students explore journalism. In this expository writing lesson, students read several newspaper articles and note common features. After reading Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Jan Brett, students work with a partner to write a news...
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Hos Do the Jaguar and Howler Monkeys in Belize Depend on Us?
First graders access the internet and use the sites provided to research Belize, and in particular, the Howler Monkey and Jaguar. Students participate in activities/centers utilizing the information they discovered.
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Teacher Notes
Gathering information, distinguishing between arguments, preparing an oral presentation; these skills are fostered as 10th graders explore aspects of global trade and politics. They use the Internet to gather information about NATO, The...
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Courts in the Classroom: Ritter v Stanton
Students read the case briefs of Ritter v Stanton. They simulate the trial with classmates taking various parts such as appellant, appellee, bailiff, and justices. After conducting a mock argument, they write their own opinion for the case.
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Planet Paths: Studying Planetary Orbital Paths
Middle schoolers define and identify planetary orbit, ellipse, parabola, and hyperbola, and simulate Kepler's Second Law. They explore interactive websites demonstrating orbital motion and complete modeling activities.
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Credit Card Scare
Students examine credit cards and how they work, analyze credit card applications, and practice good spending habits in a credit card simulation.
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Theoretical Quantum Physics... For Kids!
Learners explore quantum physics by participating in several class activities. In this space-time lesson, students discuss the concepts of time traveling and the anatomy of an atom. Learners draw geometric figures and utilize string to...
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Properties of the Ocean: Change
Students research and create a visual presentation on the seasonal salinity of the Earth's oceans. They apply the research in a simulation of a lab disaster in which they must relabel ocean samples.
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Managing Your Money
Students use the internet to gather information on saving money. They describe the history of money and the responsibilities of the United States Mint. They list their own personal goals and keep a journal as they operate a lemonade...
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Lord of the Flies Survivor
Twelfth graders read and discuss the story elements and themes of the novel, Lord of the Flies. They simulate survivor groups through quizzes and voting off the group with the lowest scores, and group e-mail discussions.
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The Effects of Environment on Plant Growth: Selecting Seeds for Survival on a New Planet
Fifth graders conduct experiments to compare seed germination and plant growth rates. They construct a hydroponic plant unit and a lighthouse. They care for the plants for a month and collect data for graphs. They write a report.
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Modeling Martian Motion
Students explore the difference between stars and planets and take on the role of these objects to simulate the relative motions of Mars and the Earth around the Sun.
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Treacherous Trash
Students recognize the harmful effects people have on the environment. For this environmental lesson, students simulate water pollution clean-up by using tangled objects and untangling them in a cooperative group. Students identify why...
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Scurvy at Sea: Researching and Writing About Vitamin C Deficiency
Students gather information about vitamin C deficiency, and research how scurvy was prevented in sea-going ventures during The Age of Sail. They create a "Scurvy Log" that will allow them to connect what they have learned about scurvy...
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Actual Airflow vs. Ideal Airflow: Stalls
Students use 3-D modeling techniques to observe the characteristic signature of the stall condition apparent on an airfoil at high angles of attack. They use FoilSim to compare the above with ideal airflow.
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Wing Area Effects Problem Set
Learners read an explanation from a NASA Web-based textbook on lift and an explanation on the FoilSim software package given below. They use FoilSim to evaluate the relationship between wing area and lift.
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Density
Learners, in groups, design a procedure to calculate the mass of gas molecules in the classroom by measuring the volume of the classroom and researching the density of air. They apply changes in air density with altitude and effects on a...
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Hey, I Don't Have Enough Stuff!
Third graders discover through this simulated activity that resources are unequally distributed throughout the world and that regions use resources differently. They, in groups, are assigned to research a different hemisphere.
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Social Studies: When in Rome...
Students conduct Internet research on selected countries. They simulate a business trip requiring airplane flights, car rentals, and hotel reservations. They present their virtual trips in written reports after sharing their findings...
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Computer Pals
Students are introduced to using computers as a means of developing communication skills within an authentic context. Students communicate with each other and share ideas via e-mail or other types of computer appllications.
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Producing Beats
Turn your classroom into a music studio as groups work together to determine why music sounds different when performed live versus a recording. After listening to some different music, each group picks a poem, creates a recording, and...
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Math: Will The Airplane Get Off the Ground?
Learners use data from real-life models to calculate and compare the force required for an airplane of a given weight to become airborne. They use a graphing calculator to evaluate data and use the World Wide Web to access data.