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The Bigger they Are . . .
Students do a variety of data analyses of real-life basketball statistics from the NBA. They chart and graph rebounding, scoring, shot blocking and steals data which are gathered from the newspaper sports section.
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Excavating the Past
Students discover how palaeontologists conduct a dig for fossils and how they interpret the age of the fossils. In small groups, they prepare a "dig site" consisting of bones, rocks and soil layered in a cardboard box. They switch boxes...
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How to Weigh a Car with a Tire Gauge
Young scholars calculate the weight of a motor vehicle using only a sheet of graph paper and a tire gauge. Extensions provided offer additional challenges.
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Mapping the Ocean Floor
Students study the bottom structure of underwater habitats and how they can be mapped.
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Can You Hear It?
Students work together to discover the concept of echolocation. They examine dolphins and their behaviors. They discuss how humans could use this information to help them in their everyday lives as well.
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How Do Things Fall?
Students observe falling objects. They discover the rate of falling is based on air resistance and not the weight of the objects. They discuss how engineers use this type of information to design aerodynamic shapes.
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American Revolution
Students review the events leading to the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence. Using the internet, they examine many different political cartoons from the time period and discuss the political atmosphere. In groups,...
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Who Needs What?
Learners identify the physical needs of animals and if plants need the same things as animals. They conduct an experiment to see if plants need light and water to grow. They compare the growth of the plants exposed to the different...
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Information Fluency Unit
Second graders create a proposal for the Science Spectrum to have an exhibit of a wide variety of aquatic animals for the children of the South Plains. These students would like to see aquatic animals up close.
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Water Conservation
First graders participate in a simulation in which they discover the community has been using too much water. In groups, they research the various ways the water is being used and create a home survey. They show the water usage of the...
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Transforming Energy
Sixth graders study about alternate energy sources and discuss with their neighbor how alternative energy sources affect environmental conditions so that an entire species could be affected.
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Measuring Temperature
Young scholars explore the different variables that affect surface temperature. They study how temperatures can vary widely within close proximity due to variables such as surface, directness of sunlight, and distance from buildings.
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And Now, the Weather...
Students collect and analyze data. In this middle school mathematics/science lesson, students collect temperature reading over a 24 hour period. Students analyze the data for mean, median, maximum and minimum.
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Mine Lesson #1: Slope slider
Eighth graders investigate linear equations. In this Algebra I lesson plan, 8th graders explore the effects that manipulating a linear equation has on the graph of the function through the use of a java...
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The Paper Dutch Kite
Students construct a Dutch Kite using simple materials. In this math lesson, students measure kite dimensions according to specified instructions. They also describe and define the different parts of a kite.
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Up, Up and Away with the Montgolfier Balloon
Students construct hot air balloons. In this science lesson, students assemble their own balloon using tissue paper and glue. They time the duration of the flight, record data and calculate team averages.
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The Panama Canal Treaties: How Treaties Are Ratified
Students gain an understanding of how the executive and legislative branches, influenced by popular opinion, work toward the ratification of a treaty. They examine the influences and impact of lobbying and special interests in the...
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War Time Propaganda: American Posters of the Great War
Young scholars identify propaganda related to World War and discuss its impact on society and research issues related to the American war effort between 1914 and 1918.
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How Do You Do?
Seventh graders research organisms in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. They create a picture book demonstrating their understanding of relationships.
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The Gulf of Maine
Students examine their own environments and make connections to larger ecosystems. They watch a video about the gulf of Maine and record the changes that have occurred. They research the gulf and create a food web.
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Dose-Response Relationship
Students complete their observations of germinating seeds. They create a graph showing all of their data and develop a dose-response curve. They compare their data with other groups and analyze the curves.
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Does Contact Area Matter?
Learners work together to design and implement an experiment on friction. They test to see if contact area affects the amount of friction. They discover how engineers use friction to make certain products better.
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Issues Awareness
Pupils work together to create a survery about environmental issues in their community. They calculate and graph the results. They discuss the importance of surveys to engineers.
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Let Your Ears Do the Walking
Young scholars examine the effects of bycatching on water environments. They discover how echolocation works. They participate in a simulation of the process to use it while walking blindfolded.