Lesson Plan
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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.
Lesson Plan
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Edible DNA

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students 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...
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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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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 lesson students study ice worms and hydrate shrimp to learn their behavior and can participate in an optional activity.
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Giants of the Protozoa

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students describe and define xenophyophores.  In 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 instructional activity students observe osmosis and report their data using a graph. 
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Pollution Solution

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

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students 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 the...
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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.
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Genetics DNA Replication

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore DNA replication. Beginning with a teacher led discussion, students examine inherited information, genes, and Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid (DNA). As the teacher models the structures of DNA, tells about the contributions of...
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What is a Nanometer?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students develop a concept of the relative size of objects in the nanoscale. They complete an internet assignment using the website,"Scaling the Universe to Your Desktop". Using analogies to common objects they get an appreciation for...
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Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
In this energy worksheet, students review the processes that create energy for a cell: photosynthesis and cellular respiration. This worksheet has 11 fill in the blank and 14 short answer questions.
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Ocean Planet: Pollution Solution

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this science lesson, students investigate the impact of oil spills as they discuss historical spills. Young scholars use problem solving skills to brainstorm clean-up...
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Outrageous Ooze

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students examine states of matter. In this solids and liquids lesson, students conduct a scientific investigation that requires them to make ooze and record their observations pertaining to it.
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How Diverse is That?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the concepts of "variety" and "relative abundance" as they relate to biological diversity.  In this life science lesson students calculate numbers that describe the biological diversity in certain communities. 
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From the Gulf of Mexico to the Moons of Jupiter

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare deep ocean conditions to those found on the moons of Jupiter. In this Earth science lesson, students consider the possibilities and conditions needed to support simple life. Students examine the habitats and life found...
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Teaching about the Chemistry of Oxygen Solubility

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore solubility of gases in water, Henry's Law, LeChatelier's Principal, and supersaturation of gases in water.
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DNA and RNA

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders research the history and discovery of DNA. Using their text, they label a basic DNA structure and the composition of genes. They explain how RNA and DNA differ from one other and discuss the processes of transcription and...
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Molecular Approaches to Evolution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to working with molecular data. The first activity does both simulated and original data are used to compare amino acid, protein or DNA differences to construct phylogenetic trees or cladograms. These activities...
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What Sticks Can Make You Sick

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners study adhesins and their receptors.  In this science inquiry lesson students experiment to find adherence and use agglutination to identify adhesins. 
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Does the Chicken have Anthrax (Explain I)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars explain how each of the components of innate immunity function in the protection of the body. Following an investigation, they articulate how innate immunity functions.
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Putting on Mass: Just how do Trees grow?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students articulate an explanation of photosynthesis. They identify problems they have with comprehension of how a plant gains mass. Students describe a historical experiment.
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Periodic Table

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students identify the periodic table trends and predict material properties. They also design and conduct simple experiments and test material properties. Finally, students compare and contrast material properties and that chemical...