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Water: A Necessity for Life
Young scholars examine types of aquifers and make a model landfill. For this water usage lesson, students determine the difference between confined and unconfined aquifers. They build a model landfill, observe it for two weeks, and...
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Understanding Space Travel
Young scholars study the unique environment of the moon and Mars. In this space science lesson, students design a city located in the outer space. They create a computer aided design, models or drawings of their cities and share them...
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Exploration of Mars
Students explore the three-phase strategy used by NASA for scientific exploration. In this space science lesson, students research past missions to Mars. They share their discoveries and create a timeline as a class.
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Impact Craters: Holes in the Ground!
Students simulate crater formation through a lab activity. In this space science lesson, students calculate how much energy is transferred during meteorite impact. They identify different factors affecting the size and depth of craters...
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The Unmixables: Investigating Immiscible Liquids
Students build an understanding of the properties of liquids and research the immiscible properties of different milks through group experiments. In this immiscible liquids experiment, students investigate what happens when certain...
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Spectroscope
Learners examine how to apply conservation of energy and properties of matter to a spectroscope. In this energy lesson students build their own spectroscope and observe three kinds of spectra.
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Making a Terrarium
Students become familiar with the materials needed to build a terrarium. In this terrarium lesson, students create a terrarium in a bottle and observe how it grows and takes care of itself.
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Compost Cake
Students examine the decomposition process. They create their own class compost pile and record their observations. They discover which materials decompose at a different rate.
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Oasis in the Desert
Students explore the challenges of building a thriving human civilization in a desert environment. They design new technologies to assist people living in the desert.
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Experimentation With Plants
Fourth graders experiment with different varieties of plants and draw conclusions after performing a series of lab activities. A very helpful student worksheet is given. This is a nicely done introductory lesson for life science.
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Earthquakes
Fifth graders explore the causes of earthquakes and the various types of fault lines through a variety of hands-on demonstrations using prepared cakes. They record their observations in their science journals.
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The Electric House Project
Students design and build a foam core house which has a light in each room. They demonstrate an understanding of series, parallel, and complex circuits. They complete a worksheet, in complete, sentences expressing these electrical concepts.
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Map the Constellations
Students build constellation guides from empty sotf drink cans. Using star charts, they use straight pins to mark the major stars in the constellations. After turning the charts over, they connect the dots. When they look through cans...
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Red Light, Green Light
Students investigate the friction between tires and the road and how it affects the movement of cars while driving. They discuss and define friction, experiment with sandpaper and wax paper to determine which material provides the least...
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TE Lesson: Tsunami Attack!
Students examine how earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides can trigger tsunami waves. They determine how engineers use sensors to detect the dangerous wave, and how they help design building that will survive the wave force and water.
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Bubble in the Hot Tub
Students participate in a Science and Technology unit designed to introduce the particle theory through drama, demonstrations, and hands-on investigations. They assume the role of engineers and design and build a hot tub for their...
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Activity Plan 5-6: Bugs, Bugs, Bugs!
Learners become entomologists for a day. In this life science lesson plan, students go on an insect hunt and investigate insects and their homes. This leads to the creation of an insect by each student. Lesson includes a take-home...
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Dig Into Soil
Students discuss what is found in soil. In this science lesson, students observe the soil outside and write down information in regards to location, vegetation, and topography. Students experiment with the soil and its many properties...
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Mud Fossils
Students observe real fossils. For this science lesson, students make their own mud fossils by pressing material into the mud and letting it dry in the sun for 3-4 days. Students then get the fossils out displaying their mud...
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Junkyard Wars: Wild Watercraft
Students develop a fast travelling hull for a boat. For this physical science lesson plan, the students' hulls will be tested in a channel (built by the teacher) with a fan as the driving force. The students will compete for who has the...
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Systems of the Body: Movement and Choreography
Students create movements that connect art and science. In this body systems lesson plan, students interpret the function of body systems, organs, and processes as they create movements to exhibit their research findings.
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Constructing a Periodic Table of Elements
Students create a periodic table of elements. In this chemistry lesson, students work together to build all of the different elements into a complete mini periodic table. They identify similarity and difference of the elements.
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Under Pressure
Middle schoolers investigate the implications of blood pressure. They use film canisters and balloons to build models that help them explain how blood pressure works.
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The Dinosaur Body
Students recognize that body design affects balance. They investigate the basic structure of a dinosaur body to see how it achieved balance, then build any dinosaur body system they want, using small marshmallows and extra straws as needed.