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Cooler in the Shadows
Students explore Earth science by creating a scale model in class. In this shadow instructional activity, students research the impact the sun has on Earth shadows and complete a space science worksheet. Students create models of the Sun...
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TE Activity: You're in Hot Water
Students study different ways of using solar energy. They design a solar water heater and determine how much water it can heat in a set amount of time. They examine how the heaters work by solar radiation and convection.
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Photo Scavenger Hunt
Students celebrate Earth Day by applying what they've learned about studying the natural world. In this Photo Scavenger Hunt lesson plan, students use a digital camera to capture outdoor imagery and to help them understand the...
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Look at those Leaves!
Students observe leaves for patterns and similarities. In this science lesson, students sort through a pile of leaves to find patterns and take measurements. Students make leaf rubbings to view the details of the leaves.
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"Web of Life" Game
Students relate members of an ecosystem by their interactions. In this ecosystem lesson, students toss a ball to other members of their group (each representing a member of an ecosystem) and tell how they are related to that member....
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Electrical Generators
Students study what an electric generator does and its history. In this energy lesson students complete several experiments including building their own electric generator.
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INVENTIVE LIVES
Students consider the qualities that inventors possess and explore the history and uncertain future of U.S. innovation by reading and discussing the article "Are U.S. Innovators Losing Their Competitive Edge?"
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Monkeying Around
Third graders study machines. They watch a video about and identify and chart machines they find at home and at school. They design and build simple and compound machines, create an advertisement for them and attempt to sell them at the...
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Sound for Sight
Students study echolocation and understand how dolphins use it to locate prey, escape predators, and navigate their environment. They view a video, "In the Wild-Dolphins with Robin Williams" and see first hand how dolphins communicate. ...
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Investigating Seed Germination and Tropisms
Students use the various steps of the scientific method to construct and carry out a detailed laboratory investigation (including a control). They demonstrate how various environmental factors may affect the process of seed germination...
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Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down: Grasping the Idea of Evolution
Students compare their performance of a series of tasks using their thumb and fingers to their performance of the same tasks without the use of their thumb. They discuss the role of fine and gross motor skills and speculate on the role...
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Light and Our World
In this science worksheet, students solve a variety of curriculum related puzzles. They also practice basic mental math skills using four operations. The concept of light and color are explored and how it interacts with different objects.
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The Changing Earth
Young scholars observe and analyze weathering. For this earth science lesson, students demonstrate physical and chemical weathering in two experiments, then write questions for a class Jeopardy game.
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Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!
Students study the different types of volcanoes and how they erupt. In this volcano lesson students identify where volcanoes are most prevalent and options for predicting eruptions.
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Tornado
Students study the classification system of tornadoes. In this tornado lesson students make their own tornadoes in different mediums.
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Weather Whys
Second graders experiment with a thermometer and water samples of varying temperatures. They examine the effect different colors and different fabrics have on retaining heat. They examine snow samples for water and dirt content. They...
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MEET A PLANT - UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL!
Students sharpen their observation and inquiry skills. They participate in a guided observation process that helps them focus on plant characteristics as a way to enhance both their appreciation and their knowledge of plants, plant...
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Scientific Method
Students conduct an experiment and complete a chart demonstrating some of the basic properties and components of water via the scientific method. They encompass strategies such as questioning, making predictions, comparing/contrasting...
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Seeing What You Cannot See--RADAR
Student imitate mapping the ocean floor using the basic concepts of radar. Then they explain what radar is and how it workds. All of their measurements are recorded on a data sheet. Then the data is entered into a spreadsheet program. A...
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Weather Tools of the Trade
Fourth graders study the basic meteorological instruments (thermometer, barometer, weather vane, anemometer, and rain gauge). They explore how they are used, data that can be collected from them, and why records of the data are kept.
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Acids and Bases
In this acid and base activity, middle schoolers are given terms related to acids and bases and their definitions. Students match the proper definition to the terms but cutting out the definitions and gluing them next to the proper term.
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Taste Buds
Students investigate taste buds. In this taste buds lesson plan, students identify the four basic taste buds and their locations on our tongue. Students participate in an experiment to investigate how our taste buds work.
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Series and Parallel Circuits
Fourth graders explore electrical circuits. In this electrical circuit lesson, 4th graders research the history of the use of light and read a biography regarding Benjamin Franklin. Students the build basic circuits, series...
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Animal Habitats
Students research an animal and their habitat. In this animal habitat instructional activity, students observe a WebQuest that describes the different habitats: deserts, tundra, rainforest, forest, and ocean. They determine which habitat...