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Windy Weather

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Make wind detectors with paper plates, ribbon, and streamers. Go for walks over an extended period of time to observe and record the effect of the wind on the detectors and other observable objects (leaves, grass, etc.).
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Project Geode

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students predict the appearance of a geode's internal structure based on its mass and density. They form a hypothesis based on the data they collect. They also identify common minerals found in Illinois.
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The Causes of Differences in Density

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students explore how density changes. Students read an article on density. They observe a ball and ring demonstration and discuss the outcome. Students draw models of the demonstration and explain what happened.
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Eat Right, Stay Fit

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine what a healthful diet is, and examine their own eating habits to see if they are getting the right foods to stay healthy.  In this eating right lesson students keep track of what they eat for several days and...
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Introduction to Topographic Maps

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders create a topographic map and see how it represents  different elevations. In this topographic maps lesson students read and interpret topographic maps. 
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WATER CHEMISTRY

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students list reasons why water is important and investigate and graph the freezing points of different solutions.
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Weather Watchers

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students practice using objective and quantitative means to describe and compare the weather. They compile weather conditions and create a spreadsheet to record their findings.
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TE Activity: Stream Consciousness

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study how environmental engineers monitor water quality. They use environmental indicators to determine the quality of stream water in their area. They count the number of macroinverabrates and use the information they...
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Introduction to the Scientific Method

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students designs and conduct a scientific experiment that identifies the problem, distinguishes manipulated, responding and controlled variables, collects, analyzes and communicates data, and makes valid inferences and conclusions.
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Collect the Weather Lesson Plan

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students explore the weather. In this weather spreadsheet lesson, students keep track of weather patterns as they use instruments and resources to chart the data the collect in spreadsheet form.
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Seed Growth

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students develop an independent procedure to investigate the germination of two types of seeds. Students must construct data tables or charts to record observations and results, graph the data, and analyze the data.
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Click, Clack, Moo: Electric Blanket Science

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Young scholars read Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin and discuss the similarities and differences between electric blankets and regular blankets. They brainstorm a list of reasons why the farm animals wanted electric...
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What's the Weather?

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders make daily weather observations, record them with appropriate stickers on a chart, and then summarize them at the end of the week in the form of a bar graph.
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Human Body Explorations

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine genetics and the DNA of a kiwi.  For this DNA lesson students complete a lab to extract DNA and interpret their results. 
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Reasons for the Seasons

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover how the Earth's axis of rotation affects the angle of sunlight and the length of day. They take a survey and give the survey out to family members and friends. They tally their findings and then determine the correct...
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The Big Melt

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Young scholars experiment with a variety of materials used for insulation by melting ice cubes.
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Learning From Leaves: Adaptations To Differing Light Levels

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students, in groups, examine plants with different light levels. They are given plants from a tropical and desert region. They write a hypothesis at the beginning of the experiment.
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Texas Estuary Project

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students take a field trip to a local estuary and analyze water samples. They analyze and graph the data results, write an essay, and create a food web of their field site.
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Weather Patterns

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students collect weather data over a thirty day period to gain an increased understanding of the weather patterns in their area. Once the data is collected, students post their finding online using a web tool. Finally, students attempt...
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Collecting Compost

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students observe a composting box. In this soil lesson, students create a composting bin by using a bin, newspaper, worms, and food scraps. Students create a composting food web.
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Understanding the Ice

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students explore the concept of sea ice. In this sea ice lesson plan, students interview arctic hunters to regarding the sea ice safety and attributes.
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How Does Climate Affect Plant Growth?

For Teachers 1st
First graders compare plant samples obtained from two different sites to explore how climate affects plants.
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Popcorn

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students learn what causes popcorn to pop.
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Hot Stuff

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars investigate mechanical and electrical machines in the classroom and school, and identify which produce heat while operating.