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What is all the Fuss about?
Students brainstorm a list of science discoveries and inventions that they think are important. They work in small groups, students examine 1-3 science discoeries more closely. Each group needs a recorder, and they answer three...
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Biodiversity Count
Students count the number of species they can find in a five minute block of time in both an urban lawn and natural, remnant forest area. They are introduced to the concept of low and high biodiversity areas and engage in a discussion...
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Slow Rot or Not?
Fifth graders examine how environmental factors affect decomposition. In this decomposition lesson, 5th graders experiment with the decomposition of grapes in five different environmental settings. They look at images of items that have...
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What Makes Up a Healthy Watershed
Students, after observing the elements of a local watershed, explore the need to protect watersheds as water resources for the future. They examine the factors involved with a watershed: geology, ecology, and the effect of man's...
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Charles Darwin
High schoolers research Charles Darwin and the process he used to develop his theory of evolution. They keep a journal about the skill of observation and make a newspaper of their learning.
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T-Shirt Chromatography
Students study about chromatography, a process used to separate mixtures. They see that chromatography is used to detect, separate or purify different substances. This nice lesson results in a beautiful t-shirt for each student!
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Properties of Minerals
Students research properties of minerals. In this science instructional activity, students search the web, create a folder, and store information on properties of minerals. There are many excellent worksheets and study guides embedded in...
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The River Ran Through It
Students identify the processes that shape our rivers and form our lakes. They participate in hands-on and multimedia activities as they discover and apply the river-cutting processes of water.
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The Treatment of Wastewater
Students, through a series of lessons, study the various processes of treating wastewater. They participate in discussion and complete various worksheets and a hands-on activity, in which they observe the processes of filtration and...
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Build an Approximate Scale Model of an Object
Students create a model of an object of their choice using sketches that they have drawn. They study what a scale model is and how to construct one. They examine the uses for scale models and why they are produced.
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Filling in the Picture
Students study archaeological sites. They discover some of the problems inherent in choosing sites and what parts are chosen for excavation. They evaluate and explain their choices for study and articulate the process of archaeological...
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Investigating Seed Germination and Tropisms
Students use the various steps of the scientific method to construct and carry out a detailed laboratory investigation (including a control). They demonstrate how various environmental factors may affect the process of seed germination...
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Adopt An Insect
This lesson plan combines a creative building activity with analyzing a butterfly photograph and using problem solving to complete the puzzle. It blends art and science very well. Students will learn and enjoy the process. The extension...
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Rock and Their Properties: Days 2-4
Students engage in cooperative research projects in order to study about the properties of the three basic rock types and the processes that form them. They plan and develop their products.with the resources for conducting their...
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A Rock Cycle Shower
Students classify rocks as sedimentary, igneous or metamorphic based on physical properties. In this earth science lesson, students recreate the rock cycle using a set of stones placed on labeled shower curtain. They explain the...
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Ball-Launcher Design
Third graders use a simple design process to solve the problem of launching a ping pong ball the farthest distance. They discuss the design process, and in small groups, design, build, and test a launching device that adheres a variety...
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Mixed Media Messages: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Students examine the process of recycling by creating a mock television commercial about recycling. In this recycling lesson, students watch an animated demonstration about recycling and answer content questions. Students play an online...
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Using computers in the content area
Students practice grade appropriate computer basics and integrate them into the curriculum areas. in this technology lesson, students understand correct behaviors while using the computer. Students become familiar with the Internet...
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From Milk to Cheese and Seed to Shelf
Students learn about food production by making cheese, seeing how a seed gets to a shelf, and discussing food safety. In this food production lesson plan, students complete 3 days worth of activities and learn about food production,...
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The Great MPA Debate
Students study the 'Marine Protected Areas' process. In this ocean instructional activity students work in groups, conduct research and present it to the class.
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Using the Synoptic Code for the Prediction of Water
Students construct a thermoscreen for the experiment. For this earth science lesson, students make observations and interpret them using synoptic codes. They predict the weather based on gathered information.
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The Sun and Moon
Students understand basic concepts about Earth, the Sun and the Moon,
such as relative movement and the phases of the moon. Through discussion, looking at pictures, listening to Native American stories, observing, and building models,...
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Volatile Volcanoes
Students explore volcanoes. In this cross curricula lesson, students use the Internet to investigate volcanoes. The series of six lesson guides the students in their search for information, thus building research...
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Rain Forest Research
Second graders explore the Rain Forest. For this research lesson, 2nd graders go online to gather information about Rain Forest animals. Students print and use the information to write about the many parts of the Rain Forest. Students...