Lesson Plan
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Reasons for the Seasons

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover how the Earth's axis of rotation affects the angle of sunlight and the length of day. They take a survey and give the survey out to family members and friends. They tally their findings and then determine the correct...
Lesson Plan
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Charting Seasonal Changes

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students research the Earth's patterns of rotation and revolution, create a chart and graph of these patterns and use them to explain the causes of night and day and summer and winter.
Lesson Plan
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It's Just a Phase

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders are introduced to the correct terminology for the phases of the moon and arrange picture cards in the correct order. They use flashlights and Styrofoam balls to illustrate the phases of the moon. They write science journal...
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The Moon

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Learners design and build an ideal lunar settlement. In this astronomy lesson, students identify the key features of the moon. They compare its environmental condition with the Earth's.
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Anza and Font in Search of Latitude

For Teachers 7th
This is an integrated activity that incorporates Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics. In Social Studies, 7th graders complete an online interview and complete an online worksheet about latitude of sites on the Anza trail. In Science...
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Environment" The Mining Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the world of mining and explain its importance in daily life. After describing how companies search for mineral deposits, they examine the environmental consequences of mining as well as the positive aspects. The...
Lesson Plan
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Exploration Yesterday and Today

For Teachers K - 4th
Students compare and contrast the voyages of early explorers with the space explorations of the present day. After reading the biographies of Benjamin Banneker and Timothy Livengood, students create a Venn Diagram comparing and...
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Apple: Bare to Pick

For Teachers K - 4th
Learners investigate the seasons of the apple tree. In tree seasons lesson, students use a sun model and a globe to study the tilt of the Earth to create the seasons. Learners discuss the tilt and the seasons. Students discuss...
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Using Newsprint as a UV Detector

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the effects of UV radiation. In this earth science lesson, students explain how the time of day relate to UV abundance on Earth. They determine if weather affects the amount of UV that Earth receives.
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Tides of Change

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students use the Internet to gather information on tides and then use this information to determine the period of revolution of the moon around the earth (part 1) and the relative pull of the sun and the moon on the tides (part 2).
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The Nitrogen Cycle

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students study the nitrogen cycle and construct a diagram.  In this Earth Science lesson students use role play to see the various paths. 
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Vertebrate History in Rocks

For Teachers 4th - 6th
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students read the noted section in their science textbooks and respond to 4 short answer and 3 fill in the blank questions regarding fossils embedded in rock formations.
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Graphing Changes in Weather

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students graph current temperature and weather conditions for three days.  In this weather lesson, students go to the Weather Channel's website and look up weather for their zip code then graph the conditions and record the current...
Lesson Plan
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Mr. and Mrs. Cress Head

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore Earth science by completing a plant art project. In this botany instructional activity, students utilize tights and soil to create a furry, grassy puppet style animal from cress seeds. Students cut off the excess cress...
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Power of Germs

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students view the film, Guns, Germs, and Warfare. They create projects based on the impact of germs on the development of societies and countries.
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Going in Cycles: The Life of an Aluminum Can

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the life cycle of aluminum cans. In this recycling lesson, students review the manufacturing process and how to make a closed loop cycle. Students also have the opportunity to present what they've learned to others...
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How Do You Dew?

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students examine how the processes of condensation and evaporation occur. They describe the relationship between heat energy, evaporation and condensation of water on Earth. They give examples of the processes of evaporation and...
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How Green Are You?

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students investigate environmental care by listing ways they preserve the Earth each day. For this green living habits lesson, students collaborate in groups to brainstorm ways they can "be green" more often in their communities....
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Space Age Technology Comes to Earth

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore eight career and technical areas and make connections with business, family and consumers, and technology. They examine and describe how agriculture and natural resources impact our quality of life. They explore and...
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Dissolved Oxygen and Photosynthesis: 1

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners are taught that plants produce oxygen underwater, and they design an experiment that test this question. They discuss whether plants give off oxygen, and how to measure this. Students measure the increase in dissolved oxygen...
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Soil Science Study

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students complete an activity by looking and gathering data on plants and soils.
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NOAA Research Project

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Young scholars research any topic relating to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research cruise that Mrs. Richards be participating in.
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A Day in the Life

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students use their research skills to investigate the behavior and characteristics of a rainforest animal. After creating a diary entry, they illustrate the habits and life cycle of the animal. They write the diary entry from the point...
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A Brand New Day

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Learners locate Maine on a classroom map and discuss if Maine is where the nation's first light is found, where would the nation's last light be seen. They explore the idea of the sun rising in the east and setting in the west.