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Biodiversity Debate
Ninth graders debate the positive aspects of dam construction. They discuss how a dam changes the ecosystem. In groups, 9th graders research and gather information for a debate. They state their position and write a report supporting it....
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Writing about the world's fisheries (Calibrated Peer Review)
Students summarize the findings of the Pew Ocean Commission report "America's Living Oceans," contrast it to an opposing viewpoint, and recommend a fisheries policy based on their understanding. It includes a scoresheet that was created...
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Life is Weird!
Students describe major features of cold seep communities, and list at least five organisms typical of these communities. They infer probable trophic relationships among organisms typical of cold-seep communities and the surrounding...
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This Life Stinks!
Students explore the process of chemosynthesis and contrast this process with photosynthesis. They consider the relevance of chemosynthesis to biological communities in the vicinity of cold seeps.
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Smog Be Gone
Students begin the lesson by identifying greenhouse gases. In groups, they observe and record the effect of the gases on the atmosphere and the temperature of the Earth. They participate in activities that describe the role of...
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Welcome to Populations!
Students define what population is in their own words. In this biology lesson, students explain different ways to measure population density. They interpret population graphs.
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Peeled Trees Tell The Story
Students investigate the diversity of life that is found in Montana. They research some of the different interactions that organisms have with their environment. The lesson includes an extensive introduction for teacher information....
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The Siberian Arctic
Learners, in groups, research the topics: habitats of northwestern Siberia, reindeer, oil and natural gas, and other threatened regions of the Arctic. They answer specific research questions based on their topic. They use online...
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Just Jelly
Students identify common gelatinous zooplankton in the Canada Basin and their ecological role. They compare and contrast feeding strategies of at least three different types of gelatinous zooplankton.
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Dig Magazine Archeology Quiz #60
In this Dig Magazine archeology quiz, students answer 4 multiple choice questions covering a variety of topics. Page contains answer and additional resources link.
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Physical Habitat of a Stream
Students measure in metric units and use a stopwatch, calculator. They collect data with minimal instructions after the initial pre-activity briefing, then record data in the data sheets provided.
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Dishing the Dirt Part 1
Students create a soil center on their school grounds. They begin to write in their science journals. They participate in an experiment that helps the community begin their own gardens.
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Water Management
Students investigate the plan of a community water management plan. They are given the roles of community members who are involved in a meeting to discuss the development of a plan to conserve water and preserve resources of water.
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Owl Pellets: A Fowl-Up, Chuck!
Students discover the world of owls as predators. After watching a video of owls hunting and eating, are introduced to owl pellets. Students dissect their own pellet and match the prey's bones to a bone diagram.
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Biome EcoWatch Project
Learners work together to complete the Biome EcoWatch project. Using the Internet, they research the relationship between abiotic factors and living organisms within a biome. They create a multimedia presentation to share their...
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Life's Big Questions: Where Did Life Come From?
Students explore the life forms that live in the hot springs of Yellowstone. They examine how microscopic creatures can survive in these extreme conditions. Students perform experiments to observe growth samples and demonstrate how a...
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Six Levels of Ecological Organization
Ninth graders describe the six levels of ecological organizations and give examples of each. They also differentiate between food chains and webs and identify trophic and consumer levels in food chain and food webs.
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Carbon Dioxide: The Heat is On
Students examine the greenhouse gases affecting the atmosphere. In groups, they participate in activities in which they examine the effects of heat on the atmosphere and phytoplankton. They research how the phytoplankton differ in warm...
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Building an Ecologically Balanced Living Space
High schoolers design and build an ecologically balanced living space based on the principles of an old growth forest. They take one part of a house (or structure in the community) and redesign it according to the principles of the...
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Constrating Cinderellas/ Connecting LA Cenerentola
Students contrast the traditional Cinderella character with a modern, independent and socially conscious Cinderella. To activate prior knowledge by eliciting from the students some of the familiar story elements of the traditional...
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A Living Watershed
Students, through this series of lessons, use local resources, speakers, print and video materials, as well as standard text materials to study the ecosystem of the local watershed.
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Using Yeast as an Ultraviolet Light Measurement Tool
Students accurately measure the relationship between radiation dose and either survival or some genetic event such as mutation or recombination. They investigate the damage that was done to the DNA molecule as a result of exposure to...
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Human Evolution
Students make and use observations of Laetoli footprints to provide clues to life in the past. They collect and analyze data to study the relationship between foot length and body height.
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Honduras: Going Bananas
Students explore the popularity of bananas. They conduct a survey to understand the reasons for their popularity. Students research a banana's journey from the farm to school lunch. They compose a children's book about bananas explaining...