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Classification of Cerealites
Students create a dichotomous key. In this categorizing activity, students create a dichotomous key for different types of cereal. Students classify the cereal into groups such as flakes and cereal with holes. Students discuss their...
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What Parts Are There to a Plant?
Students identify and sort plant parts through hands-on activities and group discussions and then work with magnifying lenses and tape measures to document their observations on a student sheet.
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Look Alikes
Third graders compare and contrast the physical features of parents and offspring. In this life science lesson, 3rd graders classify a set of animal pictures according to their similarities. They share and explain their work in class.
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Theory, Theory, Who's got the theory?
Students analyze 5 separate theories of evolution in order to help them explain the different meanings of theory, how human values influence science, and that the scientific view of the origin of life does not involve supernatural forces.
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SPLASH – Monitoring Humpback Whales
Students view a video about the humpback whale and why it is endangered. For this endangered species lesson, students recognize the importance of observing and following an endangered species in an ecosystem. Students identify the...
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SMOKING: A RISK WORTH TAKING OR JUST A DRAG?
High schoolers identify and state a tobacco-related decision problem/issue, viable options regarding the selected problem; research and discuss risks and benefits associated with the decision problem; and state a decision based upon...
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Saved by a Shark
Students explore the marine ecosystem and the importance of sharks. In this shark instructional activity, students look at photos of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and discuss the animals that live there. They discuss...
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Filter Feeding in Reef Sponges
Students investigate the role of sponges in our oceans. In this biology lesson plan, students create a diagram visualizing how sponges bring food into their bodies through a filtering process. Students discuss the connections...
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Applied Evolution: How Will We Get There from Here?
Students explore the basic process of natural selection and how people can manipulate that process today. The consequences of natural selection on daily life and the implications of evolutionary biology in basic and applied science is...
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Webs and Spiders
Students see how a spider spins her webs. They use yarn, pipe cleaners, eyes and glue to make the spider. For the web, students stand in a circle. They throw the ball of yarn across the circle. This begins the nice web shape. Students...
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Desalination: Creating a Solar Still
To better understand how solar power can aid in creating desalinated drinking water, the class creates a model still. They will build a model of a solar still, make observations, and discuss how the process works. While the idea behind...
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Gene Regulation Mechanisms
Students explore genetics. They discuss how chromosomes and/or genes are regulated during the life of an organism. In a lab setting, students compare and contrast the genomic regulation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells using...
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Invasive Species in the News
Students explore how invasive species can change an environment. In this critical thinking lesson, students study how invasive animals can change an environments population. They will discuss the implications of an invasive species and...
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Human Heredity II
Using deductive skills and reasoning based on the data provided about a family's blood genotype, blood phenotype, chromosomes, and genetic conditions, 9th graders answer the questions below. The conditions discussed are Down Syndrome and...
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Plants of the Past
Fourth graders explore ecosystems by examining plants of the past. They discuss ways in which we interact with plants in our daily lives. Students discuss the role plants play in providing food for animals and the significance they had...
Serendip
Golden Rice – Evaluating the Pros and Cons
More than half the world's population eats rice as a daily staple ... imagine if that rice could prevent illness. Scientists genetically engineered rice to include vitamin A for just that purpose. However, room for debate still exists....
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Transgenic Mammals
Students are provided with a real life example of research in the areas of genetic and molecular biology. Students examine ethical considerations and related issues such as patent laws and regulatory procedures.
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Timeline
Students develop a timeline that depicts geologic development and the history of life. They write an interpretive analysis essay that discusses and reflects on their observations.
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Biotechnology: An Agricultural Dilemma
High schoolers investigate the types of genetically modified crop plants there are and the benefits and risks of such plants. The agricultural needs in developing nations for this biological knowledge to resolve societal issues is also...
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The Strength of the Muscular System
Seventh graders investigate the strength of the muscular system. They explore voluntary and involuntary muscle movement and discuss the types of muscles: cardiac or heart, skeletal, and smooth. They visit stations to answer questions...
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Lesson 18, My Friend Linda
Students explore Huntington's Disease. In this biology lesson, students read My Friend Linda and examine the ethical issues brought to light in the story. Students discuss biotechnology issues and genetic testing.
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Is Evolution Just Monkey Business?
Students examine the presentation of the theory of evolution in the science classroom. They define and discuss aspects of evolution, evaluate the presentation of evolutionary theory, and write a persuasive essay.
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One Tough Worm
Students explain the process of chemosynthesis and its relevance to biological communities. In this investigative activity students discuss chemosynthetic communities, then in groups they are assigned a species and are to calculate the...
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Now, Take a Deep Breath
Students define several laws of pressure and see how they relate to scuba diving. In this ocean explorer lesson students answer questions and complete an activity.