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Ask an Astronaut
Students read what questions have already been asked from the archives. They then categorize what is already known (each student should be able to give a question which has already been asked and answered), what they would like to know,...
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Extra! Extra!
Students describe how plants and animals depend on each other. They see how living and nonliving environments change over time. They identify ways in which humans have changed their environment and the effects of those changes.
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School Lighting Audit Preparation
Students work together to develop a school lighting audit plan. They practice using new vocabulary related to an energy audit. They also identify the components of a school lighting audit.
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Saving An Endangered Species
Second graders participate in a fundraiser for an endangered species. They evaluate websites for animal adoption/sponsorship, select an endangered species, and develop, advertise, and implement a fund-raising plan for their selected...
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Nomad Land
Young scholars explore the migratory movements of animals as they monitor their own movements throughout the school day. Climatic and feeding conditions are examined as cues for the movement.
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How Much Water?
Students investigate amount of water available in different countries around the world, compare it to their daily water use, and explore how unequal distribution of water can cause challenges to survival. Students then discuss need to...
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Ecosystems Connect
Students investigate ecosystems near their school and across the world. They examine both living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) elements of each. They recognize ecosystems from various continents around the globe. The use of computers...
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Forest Decomposition
Young scholars explore decomposition. Students define and describe components of the decomposition process. Young scholars make a composter in a terrarium. Students record observations and changes weekly, drawing conclusions about...
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What Plants Need in Order to Survive and Grow: Soil
Students conduct an experiment to evaluate whether plants need soil to survive and grow. They plant two seeds, one with soil and one without, make predictions, and record and analyze the seed germination results on a worksheet.
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Endangered Species
Students watch video clips of endangered animals. They imagine a small garden in front of a house and describe the living and non-living things that could interact to make up a garden eco-system.
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Migration Nation
Students study the concept of animal migration. They explore the migratory patterns of four different animals. Specifically, they search for on-line information about the natural history of animals and explore reasons why animals might...
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Energy Crisis and Energy Alternatives
In this energy crisis and energy alternatives worksheet, young scholars fill in the blanks of sentences when given terms related to the environment, the energy crisis, renewable resources and non-renewable resources.
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Weather Instruments
Third graders make predictions about weather and utilize weather instruments and weather reports. They match weather components with weather instruments, and demonstrate how to read a thermometer. Students also construct and use a wind...
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Under Pressure
In this pressure activity, students read about Dalton's Law of Partial Pressure, about vapor pressure and about collecting gases over water. They answer 6 questions using the concepts of Dalton's Law of Partial Pressure and they solve 4...
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Pine Barrens
Tenth graders study environmental values vs. economic development. In this environmental decisions instructional activity students role play in a policy making setting.
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Remote Control
Students explore and evaluate several distance learning Web sites. They defend whether or not they would like to participate in the distance learning experience by either writing a proposal for including this distance learning project...
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Geologic Hazards WebQuest
Students brainstorm a list of geological hazards that have occured in the past. In groups, they research one of the hazards to identify its cause, repsonses and impact. They must also interview a scientist on the issue to analyze their...
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From Where to Where?
Students find locations based upon their latitude and longitude coordinates. In this latitude and longitude lesson plan, students locate points on a grid and learn how to use an astrolabe.
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A Trip Around the World
Students role play the role of a travel agent. In groups, they must plan a trip around the world making stops in a different biome. They use the internet to discover the characteristics of each biome and create a travel brochure for...
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Thinking Like a Scientist
Students explore the scientific method. Students identify the steps in the scientific method and explain what each step means. Students use these steps to determine if boys or girls are taller in their classroom.
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What's Up With the Water Cycle?
Students explore the water cycle. Students identify the stages in a water cycle and create a PowerPoint presentation based on their knowledge.
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Apple Energy
Ninth graders evaluate the energy associated with the production of five different forms of apple products. They develop a poster to advertise one of the five apple products to the class. Students provide additional examples of consumer...
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Meteorology
Young scholars research and produce an oral history that reflects the importance of meterologists in the lives of people in their community.
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Where the Buffalo Roam
Second graders explore what life in the Chicago area was like hundreds of years ago. They discuss how settlers impacted the environment, and why there are no longer herds of buffalo in the Chicago area today. They read an article and...