Lesson Plan
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Reaction Reasoning

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders experiment with chemical reactions and examine what happens to the atoms when different reactions occur.  In this matter lesson students divide into groups and complete a lab experiment. 
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Desalination: Creating a Solar Still

For Teachers 4th - 6th
To better understand how solar power can aid in creating desalinated drinking water, the class creates a model still. They will build a model of a solar still, make observations, and discuss how the process works. While the idea behind...
Worksheet
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RNA and Gene Expression

For Students 9th - 10th
In this RNA and gene expression worksheet, students match the letter of the description that best matches the term as it relates to gene expression. Students also answer questions as it relates to the process of transcription and...
Lesson Plan
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Cracking the Code - Cloning Paper Plasmid

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Young scholars explore the "genetic code." They observe how genes may be manipulated for genetic research, gene cloning, and genetic engineering. In a lab setting, students examine the mechanics involved in cutting and ligating DNAs...
Worksheet
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Metabolism Test Review

For Students 9th - 10th
In this metabolism test review, learners define several terms. Students write balanced chemical equations for aerobic cellular respiration. Learners complete several multiple choice questions.
Lesson Plan
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The Genetic Basis of Neurological Disorders

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Young scholars explore neurological disorders. They examine the presence and absence of discernible genes. Students describe neruological diseases and draw faces of affected persons. They play a human neurology disorders learning game.
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The Water Cycle and Global Warming

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students study the flow of water in the environment.  In this water cycle lesson students evaluate the consequences of changes in the water cycle using data. 
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DNA Model and Protein Synthesis

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students build a 3-dimensional model of DNA coding for the hormone oxytocin.
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Enzymes

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders observe enzyme activity. They discuss the relationship between drug use and enzyme activity.
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DNA Extraction

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students are able to extract and observe a visible amount of DNA from Escherichia coli cells. They discuss the properties of DNA. Students confirm the presence of DNA by a reaction with an indicator.
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Describe the Perfect Pathogen

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students develop a pathogen based upon their knowledge of pathogens and after presenting it to the class, they then suggest ways that the pathogen might be combated. Next they identify possible physical or behavioral changes in a...
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Enzymes

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders test their saliva for enzyme activity. In this enzyme lesson, 10th graders conduct an experiment to test the enzymatic activity of their saliva. They relate the lack of certain digestive enzymes with alcoholism.
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Enzymes

For Teachers K - Higher Ed
Students explore enzymes and what can inhibit and act as a catalyst for them.  In this enzymes lesson students complete experiments on enzyme properties.
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Circle of Life

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students consider why we eat and where our food obtains its energy. They illustrate food chains that might be found on an open field, dissect owl pellets, identify the remains of animals in the pellets, watch videos and participate in...
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Oxygen Factory

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the interdependence of the oxygen and carbon dioxide cycle in an ecosystem through a laboratory investigation. After a lecture/demo, 4th graders complete the lab in groups.
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Edible DNA

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners use multicolored soft candies (gumdrops and candy orange slices) and toothpicks to create models of DNA structures. They discuss the fact that DNA must copy itself before splitting into two cells. Students demonstrate this by...
Lesson Plan
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Animals of the Fire Ice

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students study ice worms  and describe how they interact with other species.  In this methane hydrate activity students study ice worms and hydrate shrimp to learn their behavior and can participate in an optional activity.
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Physical Principles in Living Systems

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders experiment with white light, plane mirrors, and curved mirrors in order to demonstrate the physical principles of living systems. In this physical principles lesson plan, 7th graders take 3 days to discover what happens...
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Giants of the Protozoa

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students describe and define xenophyophores.  For this protozoa lesson students divide into groups and complete a lab activity. 
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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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Observing Osmosis in a Chicken Egg

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders develop a hypothesis and explain what they observed on an activity.  In this investigative lesson students observe osmosis and report their data using a graph. 
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Pollution Solution

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars, after discussing oil pollution, generate solutions to an oil spill.
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A Spool Of Thread

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars describe a spool of light colored thread that the teacher holds in his/her hands. They are asked what substances (cotton and wood) are present and what structures (thread and spool) are present. The teacher conclude that...
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Enzymes and Jell-O

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students test for the presence of enzymes in fruit and the specificity of those enzymes. They identify the susceptibility of enzymes to certain environmental factors such as temperature and pH in the enzymes environment.