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DNA from the Beginning Study Guide
High schoolers complete a study guide using a website which is an animated primer on DNA, genes, and heredity. The Web site is organized around key concepts. The web links and study guide are included.
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Polymers Lab: Bouncy Ball and Slime
Eighth graders investigate chemical reactions to produce polymers. In this polymers lesson plan, 8th graders experiment with sodium silicate and ethyl alcohol to make a polymer. They also experiment with borax and glue to make a polymer....
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DNA Blueprint for Life
Did you know that meat tenderizers contain DNA cutting enzimes? Did you know that you can isolate your own DNA? Or the DNA of fruit? Explore with your learners the DNA world with a series of experiments using readily available materials...
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Thirstin's Groundwater Movement Activity
Students examine how ground water flows through different materials. In groups, they identify the different types of rocks in various aquifers. To end the instructional activity, they pretend to be water as others pretend to be rocks and...
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Different Minerals
In this minerals worksheet, students read about the relationship between elements, rocks and minerals. They experiment using 6 different colored gumdrops to represent 6 common elements. Students construct gumdrop and toothpick models of...
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Proteins
Students conduct a variety of experiments to explore protein. In this biology lesson, students solve a mystery by testing for the presence of glucose, protein starch and triglycerides. They explain how DNA transcription and translation...
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States of Water
Students investigate the 3 states of matter. In this physical science "matter" lesson plan, students observe and participate in a number of demonstrations involving melting and freezing water. Students observe the effect heat has on...
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How To Make an Artificial Organ
Students examine the advances made in technology with regard to prosthetics and replacement organs and limbs. They describe the anatomy and functions of different organs and create their own artificial organ. They defend and present...
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Learning the Structure and Function of DNA
Students read about Humane Genome Project, examine structure and function of DNA, and participate in gel-electrophoresis lab. They complete Internet activity to test their knowledge of DNA.
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Hot Cans and Cold Cans
Students investigate the physics of heating and cooling through conduction, convection, and radiation. Working in groups, they determine the best way to cool a can of water and warm a can of water. Temperature is taken at five minute...
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Make a Comet Model and Eat It!
Students construct a comet model based on procedure provided. In this space science lesson, students compare the physical properties of comets to the models they made. They record their observations and share them with the class.
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RNA
Young scholars explain how cells reproduce. In this biology lesson, students transcribe and translate a gene. They discuss and compare their answers in class.
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Reaction Reasoning
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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Testing for Life
Students discuss food and the food groups and their organic nature. They test 3 different solutions and test for protein, starch and glucose. In addition, they create a master table on the board to collect all the teams results.
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Amino Acids
Students explore what amino acids are, their history and how they are used in technology. In this protein lesson students identify the properties of proteins and amino acids.
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Edible DNA
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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How Are The Properties of Covalent Compounds Influenced By Chemical Bonding?
Students work together to observe the bond lengths of single, double and triple bonds. They make their own predictions about the strength of the bonds and chemical reactions. They answer discussion questions to complete the...
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Recognizing and Describing Chemical Changes
Seventh graders distinguish between physical and chemical changes in both natural and technological settings. They identify the reactants and products for a given chemical reaction. they then write simple chemical equations given the...
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Modeling Protein Structure
Students examine amino acids and discuss the properties of side chains. In this proteins lesson students demonstrate the foldings of peptides.
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Industrial Agriculture
Students write about the benefits that industrial agriculture has had on growing crops. In this industrial agriculture lesson plan, students research how technology has impacted the processing speed of growing food.
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Substances And Chemical Reactions
Students watch and predict chemical reactions when different substances are mixed together. They differentiate between solid, liquid, and gas.
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Identifying Food Nutrients
Young scholars pretend they are a food-quality tester. They develop a kit to test food for sugars, starches, proteins and lipids. They answer questions to complete the lesson.
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Crystals: Geometry and Groups
Learners discuss the importance of examining crystals and experiment growing them. In groups, they complete a project in which they use groups in geometry just like crystallographers. They practice solving the groups and proofs and...
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DNA in a "Snap"
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...