Lesson Plan
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Calculating & Graphing Using a Spreadsheet

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students use the lab apparatus to calculate the average velocity and average acceleration at several points and record the data. They use the spreadsheets to plot distance vs. time, velocity vs. time and acceleration vs. time graphs.
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The Chemistry of Killer Coal

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers research chemical components of coal, as well as environmental health impacts of mining and burning coal. They discuss conservation of mass as it relates to combustion of organic compounds.
Lesson Plan
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US Historical Climate: Excel Statistical

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students import US Historical Climate Network mean temperature data into Excel from a station of their choice. They are guided through the activity on how to use Excel for statistical calculations, graphing, and linear trend estimates.
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All Caught Up!

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discover the difficulty involved in trying to isolate a target species by fisherman. They discuss this issue and its problems as a class. They examine how bycatching affects their lives.
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Cloud Shadows

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars classify clouds as transparent, translucent or opaque. They conduct an experiment to determine the visual opacity of several classroom objects and then conduct further observations of clouds.
Lesson Plan
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A Thoreau Look at Our Environment

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders write journal entries o school site at least once during each season, including sketched and written observations of present environment. They can use sample topographical maps and student's own maps. Students can use...
Lesson Plan
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Reducing Volcanic Hazards to People and Property

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars examine and research major hazards to humans located in the area of volcanoes and write a general summary. Students must choose a volcano and determine what actions might be taken to reduce risks to a population. ...
Lesson Plan
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Hazard Mitigation: Bioterrorism

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss different ways to spread infectious diseases. In this bioterrorism lesson, students model the rate of smoke emission using CalRoad software. They analyze the effects of airborne release of biological...
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Laetoli Trackway Puzzle

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students try to reach a "best explanation" after viewing diagrams.  In this trackway instructional activity students complete several worksheets, make observations and hypothesize.
Lesson Plan
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Reaching the Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students sing the Rap of the Solar System, view pictures of the planets, and calculate their weights and ages on all the planets and the sun. They create a presentation comparing themselves with a planet or object in the solar system.
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Good Enough To Eat

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students are introduced to the five food groups. In groups, they place different foods into the correct section of the Food Pyramid. Using different types of technology, they create one page of a class ABC book sharing what they know...
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The Importance of Water

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars explore the importance of water. They discuss why water is important and students design an experiment that evaluates the water quality and methods of improving water quality. Young scholars perform testing and report...
Lesson Plan
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Polymerase Chain Reaction and DNA Profiling

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners examine DNA fingerprinting and polymerase chain reaction and how they are used in everyday life and for criminal investigations. They discover how these techniques can also be used to answer ecological and evolutionary questions.
Lesson Plan
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Where is That Light Coming From?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners investigate the chemistry of bioluminescence and discuss how various organisms benefit from this trait. They prepare a report about of at least one organism that receives each of the benefits discussed.
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Plants

For Teachers K
Students plant bean seeds and draw pictures of the plants as they grow. They create their own garden, plant the seeds, and keep a journal of their growth.
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The Tilting Earth

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders use a styrofoam ball on a stick to represent earth and a light bulb in the center of the room to represent the sun. They walk around the light, holding their sticks at an angle to show the tilt of the earth's axis. They...
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Creating slideshow using Real Slideshow 2.0.

For Teachers 5th
students gather information during field trip to the zoo. They use and present their findings of the types of birds, cats, primates, and other mammals to their teachers and classmates by producing a slide show using Real Slide Show 2.0.
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Stream Gages and GIS

For Teachers Higher Ed
students interpret recent regional-scale climate events based on current stream flow, monitor changes in time, and to consider additional interpretations that could be derived if other data were in map form.
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SIM Ecosystem

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify and interpret the concept of an ecosystem and the potential impact humans have on ecosystems. They also proficient in organized and methodical Internet searches. Finally, students become proficient with public...
Lesson Plan
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Design a Paraplegic Equestrian Saddle

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate a problem and background information including the typical capabilities /limitations of a paraplegic. They develop an understanding of the attributes of engineering design.
Lesson Plan
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The effects of microgravity

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders are given a scenario in the lesson that presents a problem that needs to be solved. They conduct research from multiple sources in order to gather information. This is used to contribute to possible solutions proposed by...
Lesson Plan
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Global Symposium

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders work together to develop a sysnopis on the Earth. Using the Internet and print sources, they focus on one country to research and determine its condition. They offer possible solutions to the problem and share their...
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Insect Classification

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students compare and contrast the visible structures of three insects based on photographs. They differentiate characteristics of crane flies, ants, and wasps then create a simple classification system.