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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA in a "Snap"

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students observe a model of DNA and answer probing questions like, "What does this model represent?" They then work in small groups to construct an accurate model of DNA per rubric provided and present to the class explaining their model...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biodiversity in Illinois-Pond Habitats

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders construct a pond habitat in the classroom using a small swimming pool partially filled with water, real cattails, a tree log adjoining, and plastic animal life appropriate to a pond setting. They examine the frog in detail...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Microscope

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students investigate the parts and functions of a compound microscope. They explore various websites, label the parts of a microscope on a worksheet, view prepared slides, and create drawings of the prepared slides.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Vibrating Objects Produce Sound

For Teachers K
Students use many different materials and resources in order to study and identify sounds that are loud or soft, high or low, pleasant or unpleasant.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Respiratory System

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
The student will calculate the vital capacity of the air in the lungs and trace the pathway of air into and out of the lungs. They describe the pressure changes that occur within the chest cavity when you breathe. They compare air that...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Selecting Trees for Urban Environments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils consider the best place to plant a tree. In this environment instructional activity, students identify urban locations that are compatible with particular tree types. Pupils decide what trees would go where and why they would...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Seed for All Needs

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students identify uses for plants. In this agricultural lesson, students read the book Spring Gardening and distinguish between food plants and flowers. Students plant flower in cups as a follow-up activity.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Attend a Chat Session

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students participate in chat sessions with explorers on an expedition. In this chat lesson, students construct questions for people who are on an adventure. They access a chat room to ask the questions and to receive answers. They work...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Charge-Coupled Devices (CCDs)

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore CCDs or Charge-Coupled Devices. In this digital devices lesson, students examine how CCDs are constructed, collect light, and create a digital signal.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Acid Rain Research

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers collect samples of rainfall, cloud condensation, and water that trickles through the soil. These samples are tested for pH, conductivity, and the presence of sulfates, nitrates, calcium, and magnesium.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Travel to the Polar Lands

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders receive an "Expedition Ticket" to travel through the Polar Regions- the Arctic and the Antarctic. They research polar bears and make drawings that are to scale.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light and Angles

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students work together in groups to test light and how it reflects at different angles. They create their own hypothesis and answer questions given to them by their teacher. They complete the experiment at home and test if it changes the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bubble and Squeak

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students complete a unit on the chemical and technological processes of food preparation. They observe various experiments, describe changes in materials through cooking, identify safety and hygiene issues, and cook various recipes.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biomes of The World

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Young scholars research different biomes, using links from global pen pal letters.
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Lesson Plan
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Database

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders collect daily weather information and introduce them to databases.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Poster Presentations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars create visual displays explaining how nuclear power is used to produce electricity. They create a display board that shows the chain reaction, the fission process, and a schematic diagram of the reactor.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Price of Beauty: What you don't know might hurt you

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study cosmetic safety issues and concerns raised by advocacy groups. They create a cosmetic safety brochure designed for the average consumer, to create awareness about cosmetic safety concerns.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Transgenic Salmon

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers research the various aspects of transgenic salmon. In stakeholder groups, they create posters intended to sway voters for or against the creation of transgenic salmon. They also write an individual position paper on the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Being P-Waves and S-Waves

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students participate in a demonstration in which they, themselves, represent seismic P-waves and S-waves.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth's History

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders study the law of superposition by creating models of fossils in layers of rock. They examine how fossils are usually found in sedimentary rock which leads to the study of geologic history in those rocks.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How does Nuclear Fission differ from Nuclear Fusion?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine concepts of nuclear chemistry. They compare and contrast the topics of nuclear fission and nuclear fision. They predict the outcome of reactions based on the types of emissions and reactants.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biome-Ecology Unit with a "Design a Zoo" Extension

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars participate in a three part unit about biomes. Part one, students research the biomes of North America and part two consists of research on zoos and a field trip to a zoo. While part three ties together the first two...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where's the Period in the Periodic Tables?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students investigate the Periodic Table of Elements. The teacher is provided with the necessary background information to complete the lesson. Students practice matching the element symbol to its place on the chart.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Totem Poles -- Storytellers of Long Ago

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders discover the main purpose for totem poles was to communicate with others. In groups, they compare and contrast the four types of totem poles and the various symbols used. They write their own stories based off of pictures...