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Detecting Meteors by Radio in the Classroom

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders describe and interpret the science of optical and radio telescopes, space probes and remote sensing technologies (Unit E) They explain the role of radio and optical telescopes in determining characteristics of stars and...
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Limiting Reagent

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars work in small groups with a small set of 8 nuts and 5 bolts to assemble into combinations of 1 nut: 1 bolt, and 2 nuts: 1 bolt. They explore the outcome and discuss. Then a student mixes two clear, colorless solutions...
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Territorial Behavior in Crickets

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the behavior of crickets during courtship. They measure the number and types of interactions between household crickets. Students discriminate between quantitative and qualitative observations. They collect data to...
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Columbus Travel Agency

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders research about their chosen ecosystem. In this life science lesson, 8th graders play the role of travel agents and create a travel brochure. They share this in class.
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Business Forecasting

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the methods of business forecasting and their purpose. They calculate moving averages and predict future sales. They evaluate the reliability and validity of the techniques.
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Boyle's Law

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Pupils work in small groups and use a hand-held vacuum pump with a balloon under the dome with some air. Another deflated balloon is attached to the end where the air goes out. As the air is drawn out of the dome the first balloon with a...
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Packing Materials

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students observe the effects of water on four different packing materials to determine which ones are more soluble. They then decide which material would be a good packing material to use for the environment and which may be a bad...
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Measure Up!

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine parallax and angular measurements.  In this investigative lesson students calculate distances of objects and map their results.
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Vitamin C Testing

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine which of three beverage samples contains the most vitamin C. They then apply their knowledge to an additional situation. Students use beverages that have a large, definite difference of vitamin C content to...
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Poster Assignment: Sports Chemistry

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders distinguish between chemical and physical properties and changes in matter when given specific examples. They view a video of sports activities. Students chose their favorite sport and design an experiment to improve sports...
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Marshland Wonders

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students review the characteristics of wetlands and list their benefits. After viewing short videos, they identify the organims that make their home in wetlands and how they have adapted. They compare and contrast the characteristics...
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Introduction to Correlations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate correlations between human body height and other human features. They select ten subjects and record each subject's age and gender and measure for height, wingspan, distance, and size of hands. After measuring, they...
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Water Wise

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Learners calculate their family's water consumption. In this water usage lesson, students discuss the water they use in their homes. Learners complete the 'water wise' worksheets to tally their family's use of water. Students answer...
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A Closer Look at Wood

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine forests as a renewable resource and conservation practices.  In this conifers lesson students complete a lab activity on the different types of wood. 
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Newton's Second Law: Mass-Acceleration Relationship with Dynamics Carts

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers form their own hypothesis about the relationships between force, mass, and acceleration for their dynamics cart system. They collect data and express it in a graphical format to visualize the relationships.
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The Gummy Worm Lab

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students participate in a lab experiment with gummy worms. In groups, they record the qualitative and quantitative observations during the lab. They use their senses to make inferences about the experiment and share them with the class.
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Rock Identification Lab

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders compare and contrast the three different types of rock. For this earth science lesson, 8th graders classify rock samples according to their correct rock type. They design their own data collection table.
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Cosmic Collisions and Risk Assessment

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In groups, students create their own scientific impact experiments using ordinary materials, and observe and measure results with a variety of impacting bodies and velocities.
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Our Landfill Future

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use the internet to research articles on garbage, landfills and the environment. In groups, they identify ways to conserve or recycle materials found in landfills and determine the future of a local landfill. They share their...
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Color Dots 3

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
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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Illinois' Habitats Happening

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use the scientific inquiry method to examine the ecosystems and biomes in Illinois. Using the characteristics of a local habitat, they identify the best conditions for an ecosystem to survive and how a slight change can damage...
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Wh0-o-o-o's Out There?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders describe the physical features of an owl and identify survival adaptations. They Investigate an owl's niche in an ecosystem. The students participate in an interactive puzzle on the internet that helps for motivation.
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I'm Inclined to See; Physics, Math, Science, Experiments, Graphs

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover the motion of a sphere on an inclined plane and discover basic relationships involving distance, time, speed(velocity), and acceleration.
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Aquatic Insects: Water Quality Index & Diversity Index

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students search stream beds to study the life cycle and adaptations of stream insects. They explore creeks and streams to see the diversity index of creeks or streams and to find the water qualit index.