Lesson Plan
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Make a Cast of a Tyrannosaurus rex Fossil

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine the formation of fossils and list the different types. They make cast model of a dinosaur fossil. They write about conditions that are necessary for fossils to form and create a model of a buried fossil.
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Reopen: A Study of Five Closed Mines

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students analyze data to determine which of the fived closed mines would be beneficial to have reopen. They acquire knowledge of rocks and minerals in the area to give reasons why that mine should open again. Students gain knowledge in...
Worksheet
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Waves

For Students 9th - 12th
In this waves instructional activity, students read about harmonic and linear motion in waves as well as the two types of waves. They match 5 terms to their definitions about the structure of waves, they solve for the wavelength,...
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Water: A Necessity for Life

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students examine types of aquifers and make a model landfill. In this water usage lesson, students determine the difference between confined and unconfined aquifers. They build a model landfill, observe it for two weeks, and analyze what...
Worksheet
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Plate Tectonics Study Guide

For Students 7th - 10th
In this plate tectonics worksheet, students answer questions about plate tectonics including topics such as the lithosphere, the asthenosphere, rising and sinking convection currents, continental drift and the types of boundaries.
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Earthquakes

For Teachers 5th
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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Beautiful Soil

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners discover what are the components of soil. They examine how it is formed and it's importance. They engage in garden activities and processes. They hold a handful of garden soil and describe what they see. They take a...
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Rock Art

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine and interpret rock art to illustrate its importance in the cultural heritage of a people and as a tool for learning about the past. They create their own rock art that is a symbol of their culture.
Lesson Plan
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Everybody Needs a Rock

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Students, after making quantitative and qualitative observations of their rocks, construct a Venn diagram or dichotomous key to classify their rocks.
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Geologic Mapping I

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students create a geologic map and cross-section of an area of horizontal sedimentary rocks, exposed in several locations. Map must include a complete key or legend with rock descriptions of the various formations.
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Mighty Minerals-We Use Them Everyday

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate the importance of knowing about rocks and minerals. They study the way in which many products are produced from rocks and minerals. Students are shown how we obtain many of the rocks and minerals we use.
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Time for All Ages

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discover time keeping by analyzing technological advances in history.  In this time lesson, 4th graders create and complete a KWL chart based on their research of a famous timekeeping invention, such as a sundial....
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Pyrites

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Pupils examine the mineral pyrite and discover the differences between it and gold.  In this mineral instructional activity students identify minerals using their common properties.
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The History of Maple Syrup

For Teachers K - 3rd
Young scholars explore the process of harvesting maple syrup. In this science and history lesson, students make their own maple syrup and create a picture book that shows the Native American and American pioneer methods of making the syrup.
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Basic Units of Time

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Learners review fundamental concepts of time such as A.M. and P.M. and learn about elapsed time. In this Unit of Time lesson, students review the basics of how to tell time and then are given examples to figure out how much time has...
Lesson Plan
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Screening River Rocks

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore river rocks. Searching with screens and containers, 1st graders identify the different kinds and sizes of rocks. They separate rocks into containers according to pebbles, gravel and sand. Students write about their...
Worksheet
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Metamorphic Rock

For Students 7th - 12th
In this metamorphic rock worksheet, students review the types of metamorphism and compare foliated with non-foliated. This worksheet has 10 short answer questions.
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Determining the Age of Fossils

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the concept of radioactive dating. In this radioactive dating lesson, students investigate how to determine the ages of fossils and rocks as they learn about half-life radioactive decay.
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School House Rock! Science Rock

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils use common household and classroom objects to generate static electricity and study its effects. They discuss the video Science Rock CD called Electricity, Electricity. The video explains many things about electricity.
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Space Science: A Scoop of Moon Dirt

For Teachers K - 8th
Students discover soil characteristics and how it is formed on Earth and the Moon by examining local samples to a lunar simulant. They replicate the effects of wind erosion by scraping dry bread with sandpaper. Students use rocks and...
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Timbre: Identifying the Tone Color of the Saxophone

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students explore the concept of timbre. In this timbre lesson, students experience timbres produced by saxophones in contemporary music. Students explore the science behind the music.
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Fractals Rock: Investing the Fractal Tree

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students investigate the relationship between fractals and sequences. In this geometry lesson, students build a fractal tree. They investigate different career fields where fractals are used in the real world.
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Sounds of the Wetlands

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students identify the sounds of different bird calls. In this biology lesson, students create a sound map. They explain how this method is important in tracking wildlife.
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Surface Water and Groundwater

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students examine distribution of water and minerals. In this surface and groundwater lesson, students conduct an experiment with fresh and salt water making hypothesis and drawing conclusions about minerals.