Lesson Plan
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The Greenhouse Effect

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders investigate the temperature change in open and closed containers. In this earth science lesson, 7th graders relate this lab activity to greenhouse effect. They create a line graph from data collected in the experiment.
Lesson Plan
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A River Runs Through It

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students solve an environmental problem on a local river. They use their knowledge of river ecology to develop an action plan. They use river-monitoring equipment to collect river- monitoring data, including biological, physical, and...
Lesson Plan
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Changing Ramp Heights

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students conduct an experiment to determine how the change in ramp height affects the distances a ball is able to move a stationary cup. Data is collected from several trials and recorded and analyzed.
Lesson Plan
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Hlf-Ball

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate Newton's Laws of Motion and the Law of Conservation of Energy. They examine how a ball and half-ball behave and relate these laws to what happens to the ball. Students produce a graph of the data collected and...
Lesson Plan
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Heating Crystals

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine the effects of heating on various crystals. They answer questions in the observation category which assess their ability to use a variety of senses to observe data in a certain way- a scientific way.
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Water Regulation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers use their basic knowledge of physiology to analyze graphical data of paramecia under diverse conditions. From the data analysis, Students develop explanations of the animal's response to the concentration of different...
Lesson Plan
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Living in Extreme Environments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the characteristics of the ocean floor and the importance of of extreme environments.  In this investigative lesson plan students use four methods to sample populations, gather, record and analyze data from a...
Lesson Plan
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As a Matter of Fact

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Elementary-aged scientists discover that all matter has mass. They are shown the difference between mass and weight, and learn how to calculate mass using the appropriate tools and methods. The scientific method is used while estimating...
Lesson Plan
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Opinion Surveys

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the factors that affect the accuracy of opinion surveys. They calculate probability and chance using data they have collected. They practice reading tables and graphs as well.
Lesson Plan
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The Cost of Smoking

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain the financial and life expectancy costs of smoking using a computer model to enter and adjust parameters to collect data in the form of a table. They analyze the data collected and determine the true cost of smoking.
Lesson Plan
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Global Temperatures

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students analyze the global temperature record from 1867 to the present. Long-term trends and shorter-term fluctuations are both evaluated. The data is examined for evidence of the impact of natural and anthropogenic climate forcing...
Lesson Plan
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The Ups and Downs of Weight and Mass

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore the concept of mass, and how it differs from weight. They also calculate their weight change as they ride up and down on an elevator. They record the changes in their weight as the elevator moves graph the collected data.
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Using a Statistical Procedure To Search A Database For Out of the Ordinary Values

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students develop a spreadsheet containing formulas and find summaries for them.  In this investigative lesson plan students choose a topic, investigate it and use MS Excel to sort data. 
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Exploring the MapleCopter

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Study explore the motion of maple seeds and design experiments to explain their spinning flight patterns. They make observations, explain ideas of motion, use models, analyze previous reports and experiments, identify relevant factors...
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Through Thick or Thin!!!

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students differentiate between high and low viscosity. Students collect, graph, and interpret data, then quantitatively measure polymer solids. Students experiment with a household example of an emulsion polymer.
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Mapping Possible Solutions

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders propose possible sites for the heart of Florida state capital by mapping collected data onto a Florida state map and recording data in a Travel Log.
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Will There be Enough Water?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate water usage, water available, and water demand historically in the local area. They use projections of water usage, availability and demand up to the year 2050. Students use graphs to relate as well as compare and...
Lesson Plan
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The Modern Atmospheric CO2 Record

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students compare carbon dioxide (CO2) data from the Mauna Loa Observatory , Barrow (Alaska) , and the South Pole over the past 40 years to help them better understand what controls atmospheric (CO2).
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Population Density

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners use the scientific method to conduct an experiment and use varied methods to gather background information. They correctly use lab equipment and prepare tables and graphs that organize, conclude, and present their findings. ...
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Marine Protected Areas

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Learners design a research project about a Marine Protected Area they chose. In this marine biology lesson, students gather fish count and catch data then graph them. They create an information poster about their findings.
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Starch and Sugar Testing 1

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders determine the presence of starch and sugar in unknown solutions. This task assesses students' abilities to observe, record and interpret data, classify, generalize/infer, construct data tables, and identify sugar and...
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Investigating the Effect of Minerals on Plant Growth

For Teachers 9th - 12th
How do different minerals affect the growth of plants? Budding botanists find out in a multi-week experiment that has them using solutions with specific mineral deficiencies. While there is a lot of preparation for the investigation,...
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Weathering Rates

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students calculate weathering rates from tombstone weathering data. Atmospheric (and precipitation) chemistry determines the rate of weathering for marble tombstones. They are shown data from a rural and an unrban cemetery, and are...
Lesson Plan
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Deep Freeze

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students practice various sampling methods for retrieving data under water, ice, and soil. They use the sample material to make temperature measurements, chart contents, and draw their own conclusions as to what is happening in the...