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Where Do Birds Live? Cavity Nesters of the Watsonville Wetlands
Students compare and contrast primary and secondary cavity nesters. For this life science lesson, students explore the different types of nests that birds make. They play a team game to apply what they learned.
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Introducing Biodiversity
Students investigate biodiversity by creating reports with their classmates. In this ecosystem lesson, students utilize the Internet to research the different types of life in our environment and different locations around the world....
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Microbes & History: Microbial influence on the spread of Civilization
Students explore how to extract plant fibers from the flax plant Linum usitatissimum in the process of making linen fibers. Doing so spark interest in the importance of microbial action on the spread of human culture and civilization.
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Viewing Viruses
Students view the characteristics of viruses following the 5-E learning model. By participating in discrepant events Students observe the impact of viruses over humans. By participating in discussion students examine the characteristics...
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Youth Voices: Fair Access to Resources and Quality of Life
Student delegates conduct "United Nations" style session in which they are challenged to develop resolution or resolutions that address how to feed growing population, taking into consideration quality of life and impact on environment.
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Karyotypes and Inheritance of Chromosomes
Students explore the mode of inheritance of chromosomes. Given a scenario, students use the Human Genome sheet to determine inherited chromosomes. They illustrate the difference between genotype and phenotype. Students develop a model...
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Hazard Mitigation: Bioterrorism
High schoolers discuss different ways to spread infectious diseases. In this bioterrorism lesson, students model the rate of smoke emission using CalRoad software. They analyze the effects of airborne release of biological...
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Presenting Ecology through Rodent Control
Students role play the member of a health department task force. In groups, they develop their own recommendations to control the rodent problem in the area. They email their local government official and research information about the...
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Martian Mummies
Students participate in "Raiders of the Future", a role play about futuristic scientists sending a spaceship to Mars for research and exploration. They collect geological samples for analysis, discover the ruins of an ancient...
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Urban Ecosystems 4: Metabolism of Urban Ecosystems
Learners discover that material and energy uses by a city come from outside the city boundaries. They realize that the pathway of these material is linear instead of cyclical as they are in natural ecosystems.
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Genetically Modified Organisms
High Schoolers complete a variety of activities as they examine the ethics of (and take a position concerning) genetically modified organisms in the field of agriculture. They complete a PowerPoint demonstration to go along with the unit.
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Cardiac Arrest! Using Forensics to Investigate Cardiovascular Anatomy and Function
Students identify the different parts and functions of the cardiovascular system. In this forensics lesson, students collect and analyze evidence on a fictional crime. They describe different causes of cardiac arrest.
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Ghost in Your Genes
Students explore DNA microarrays. In this genetics lesson, students model DNA microarrays that are used by scientists. Students work to determine levels of breast cancer genes in patients. They will determine the treatment required based...
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The Pickle "Dill"emma
Learners study a problem in their local farming community regarding a pickle factory, and the class is asked to help determine if the pickle factory is the source of a seed germination problem.
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A Feast for the Future
Students participate in an activity that uses a simulated meal of transgenic foods in order to initiate a discussion of the controversy concerning the use of transgenic food products.
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My Habitat Address
Sixth graders draw a habitat and write about what they would need to survive in the habitat. They define the input of items such as materials, energy, and information, and what goes out of the habitat. They play a "Habitat Address" game,...
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Biofilms Are Everywhere
Students research biofilms and create brochures. They role play as advertising firm members assigned to educate the general public about biofilms. They create "wanted dead or alive" posters about harmful and helpful biofilms respectively.
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Testing a New Drug 1
Students act as chief research scientists with the responsibility of testing a new drug. Students design a controlled experiment to test a hypothetical experimental drug. Students write a clear, concise, and detailed plan to present to a...
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Winter Survival
Students examine what animals need in order to survive. In this investigative lesson students play a "role" of an animal in winter.
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Coastal Ecology of the Bahamas
Sixth graders investigate the Bahamas through presentations and charts. In this ecology lesson, 6th graders utilize their library and Internet to research the life forms and species that inhabit the Bahamas. Students observe a...
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Genetic Research: A Congressional Hearing
Students participate in a mock hearing of the U.S. Senate subcommittee on genetic research. They representing support groups for various genetic disorders present arguments for continued federal funding, while subcommittee members are...
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Water Quality
Students play the role of scientists testing for water quality in the area. In this ecology lesson, students determine the water sample's pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. They write a journal reflection after the activity.
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A Living Watershed
Students, through this series of lessons, use local resources, speakers, print and video materials, as well as standard text materials to study the ecosystem of the local watershed.
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Habitat Lap Sit
Fourth graders physically form a circle that shows the interconnectedness of the components of a habitat. They form circles and role play the parts of habitats.