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Using the Scientific Method to Determine Which Conditions Best Favor Plant Growth
Seventh graders examine how the environment can affect biological processes. They identify the best conditions for the germination of bean seeds. They record and analyze their data. They write about their observations in an essay.
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Selecting Soil Organisms in Compost
Pupils demonstrate that many of the enzyme systems needed to break down--and therefore clean up-society's wastes already exist in nature among the decomposers. They select the best starch-munching organisms by altering the environment in...
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Physical vs. Chemical Change Lab
Students recognize both a physical and chemical change in different substances. They determine which particles actually changed into different substances, and explain if it represented a physical or a chemical change.
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Batteries in Series: Voltage and Light Intensity
Young scholars participate in a hands-on activity to explore the relationship between the number of batteries in a series circuit and its voltage. Students identify the relationship between two variables and plot points on a graph.
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Mystery Boxes
Students make observations about Mystery Boxes that their teacher has made up and describes the motion of the object inside the box and hypothesizes it's shape based on their observations.
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Wolf Lesson Plan
Students research the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park. They present their research in a role-playing format.
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Paper
Students study the process of creating paper. They read and discuss a flier and visit centers in small groups to study Paper Fun, Historical Paper, What Paper Is Made Of, and Homemade Paper. After visiting each center, they share the...
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But I Need This
Third graders place everything in their desk or back pack onto their desk top. They explain why each item is needed. They receive a set of pictures and write a list of things each person or animal needs to survive. They compare people,...
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A Cloud In The Hand
Students investigate the scientific concept of forming clouds. The use simple materials to simulate the formation. This creates a powerful visual for students to make cognitive connections. They make observations and record them in a lab...
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How Does Mining Produce Acid Runoff?
Students examine how mining and other industry operations can lead to acid runoff. In this mining instructional activity students study weathering and complete a lab on it.
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Color Dots 3
Students make simple observations, test mixtures, and make generalized inferences from their observations. They observe bleeding of colored inks with water.
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Geologist and Core Sampling
Third graders observe a cupcake and attempt to answer each question on the observation page. They write three sentences that explains how a geologist takes core samples of the earth's surface. Students make sketches and write...
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The Coral Reef
Fourth graders discuss life in a coral reef, and view photographs and a computer program about coral reefs. They design and create colorful watercolor, ink, and crayon drawings of coral reefs.
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What Makes Good Long Undies?
Students examine a variety of different types of fabrics and discuss what characteristics would make a good pair of long underwear for a journey to Antarctica. They investigate the properties of various fabrics and determine how they...
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Pendulum Lab
Learners predict how changing the pendulum components affect its period. In this physics instructional activity, students calculate the period using different masses. They analyze lab result and complete assigned worksheet.
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Measurement: Using the balance
Students use a balance and gram cubes to measure several different objects. They then record their results on a data chart and answer questions about them.
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Producing Sounds
Third graders examine items that make sounds. When given craft sticks, 3rd graders practice making different sounds with them. Sticks are rubbed together or placed partially on a desk and plucked. Afterward, students discuss the types of...
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Is it Really Winter in Australia? It is June!
The purpose of this activity is to determine how the location of a place on the Earth (hemisphere) determines what season that place is experiencing relative to the Sun's rays. Day one the students will be introduced to the terms...
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Life in Streams and Ponds
Students collect microorganisms, demonstrate correct laboratory/Gram stain procedure, and design and construct tables to organize data.
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Land Use Issues
Students examine living and non-living things in their environment. They identify trees, plants, and grasses in their neighborhood and those that originate in Illinois in this unit of lessons.
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Conserving Marine Life
Students discuss the different threats to various marine life. Through research, groups examine threats to specific marine life, evaluate the situation, and develop possible solutions to help marine life regain stability. Conservation...
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Reflective Solar Cooker
Pupils build and use a reflective solar cooker to cook marshmallows.
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Pulse
Students determine a baseline pulse rate then chart the changes in rate with exercise. They describe the changes and develop a rationale for their observations. The task assesses students' abilities to make simple observations, determine...