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DNA Isolation from Plant Tissue
Students perform an experiment to extract and observe DNA from plant Tissue. They read about the procedure and relate it to the procedure used to isolate DNA from an endangered plant species. This is lesson three in a nine lesson unit...
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Electrophoresis Analogy
Students participate in a simulation of electrophoresis separation of DNA fragments. They link arms to form DNA fragments with each student representing a nucleotide. As they move through an obstacle course they discover how fragments...
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"Publication" of Scientific Papers And Posters
High schoolers create and display a scientific poster in the same format that scientists use at a research symposium. They compile data and make conclusions about the classification of the Arizona Hedgehog Cactus as an endangered...
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Hands-on Cells
Students review the components of a cell and the differences between plant and animal cells by creating a three-dimensional model of each type of cell. In small groups, they use modeling clay and household object to construct their models.
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Onion Skins
Students explore the structure of a plant cell. They carefully peel a single layer of onion skin from a slice of onion and stain it with methylene blue to observe the structures inside. They use a Digiscope connected to a computer to...
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Basic Needs of Plants
Fourth graders explore the four basic needs of plants. They examine plants as they grow. Students discuss the changes that they see in the growing plants. They observe what happens to a plant when one of its basic needs is taken away.
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Plant Science: Introduction to Photosynthesis
Students explore the process of photosynthesis in plants. They discuss the purpose of photosynthesis and its components. Students discuss the importance of photosynthesis for plants and they examine the parts of the plant that play an...
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Life Cycles
Fourth graders explore life cycles. They examine pictures of the various stages of life cycles and put them in the correct order. Students match pictures of eggs to the correct parents. They discuss the importance of knowing the life...
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Plants of the Past
Fourth graders explore ecosystems by examining plants of the past. They discuss ways in which we interact with plants in our daily lives. Students discuss the role plants play in providing food for animals and the significance they had...
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From Seed to Plant
First graders listen to the book, FROM SEED TO PLANT by Gail Gibbons and identify the process by which a seed becomes a plant. They discover the names of the parts of a plant as well as what is needed for it to grow. They wrap up the...
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Ecology Club
Fifth graders measure their plants and take pictures, write down new
observations about their plants. They discuss taking plants home. When they take them home students carefully put a plastic bag over the top to keep the plants from...
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Sunlight and Plants
Students design and conduct an experiment to discover the role of direct sunlight on plants during germination and after germination. They plant corn and lima beans in small containers which they place in direct sunlight from a window...
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Producers and Energy Transfer
Fifth graders discuss the relationship between producers, consumers, and decomposers as they look at the energy pyramid. While working in small groups, they create an ecosystem that includes all or some of the given categories, and they...
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Outdoor Survivors
Fifth graders complete a survey to decide what are most popular plants among the class. They test the water quality in a nearby pond. Studnts test the quality of soil samples taken from their homes. Different plants are moistened with...
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Whose Parts Are We?
Students match roots and seeds to the plants they belong to . They comprehend how weeds spread and become established. Students match two roots with their plants. They match two seeds with their plants. Studens describe why weeds...
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Great Gravity, Batman!
Eleventh graders are introduced to the effect of gravity on plant growth. They describe the major processes and mechanisms by which plants grow, develop, and supply various products, including energy and nutrition, needed by other...
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Growth and Changes in Plants
Young scholars investigate the growth and changes in plants. They view a video and discuss the changes in plants. They work in small groups to demonstrate vocabulary words to the class. They visit a green house and take pictures of...
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How Does a Seed Grow Into a Plant?
Second graders explore how seeds grow into plants. They discuss types of seeds and place seeds in wet paper towels to germinate. They draw a picture in their journal to record their observations for four days. They take pictures of their...
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The Interrelationships of Soil, Water and Fertilizers and How They Affect Plant Growth
Students examine how different nutrients in the soil and fertilizers affect plant growth. In groups, they participate in a role play in which allows them to see the interactions of humans and plants. They also read articles and record...
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Edible Plant Parts
Students participate in various activities to discover the six basic types of plants. In groups, they analzye the foods they eat and identify which part they consume. After reading "The Fablous Food Phantom", they create a food phantom...
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Chemistry In Plant Nutrition And Growth
Students investigate different factors that affect plant growth. They research the effects of water supply, radiant energy, air temperature, and soil temperature. Students also gather facts that influence plant nutrition that include the...
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Farm Products Help Me Grow
Students view a display of empty food containers (or illustrations). They select a food and decide as a class if it has an animal or plant origin. Students view a display of common farm animals that are commonly eaten (cow, pig, chicken,...
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The Importance of Plants to Native Cultures in the Past and Present
Eighth graders investigate the founding and history of Sluice Boxes State Park. They use both primary and secondary resources to collect data. The focus is upon the use of native plants to make medicines. They write reports about several...
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What Do Parts Do?
Students review the components of the scientific inquiry method. In groups, they identify and describe the components and functions of all of the parts of a plant. Using a diagram, they label the parts of the plant chosen and share...