Lesson Plan
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Build a Psychrometer

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars understand that a psychrometer is a weather instrument used to detect humidity. In this psychrometer lesson, students build a psychrometer.  Young scholars use their psychrometers to measure humidity activity.
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Let's Take a Rock Apart!

For Teachers K - 12th
Students examine a crushed rock and sort the minerals they find in that rock by color and other properties.
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Landfills: A Solid Waste Management Plan

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are able to list the types of household waste that they produce daily. They are able to describe some other types of waste that are produced by industry or agriculture to help maintain their lifestyles. Students are able to...
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The Salt Water Connection

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the various factors that influence the Pacific Ocean and Monterey Bay, California. They watch a video about Monterey Bay and take notes, and conduct research and write a report about a specific organism living in...
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Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders participate in an activity which introduces them to common types of precipitation. They examine "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" through a teacher read aloud and make a weather pamphlet.
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Land Development and the Environment

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine the relationship between land development and the environment. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students explore how population density, land development, transportation, and impervious surfaces take their toll...
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Measuring Humidity

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students measure humidity in the classroom. In this weather instructional activity, students use a psychrometer to measure the humidity in the classroom. Students complete a lab packet.
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Soil Permeability

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discuss how soil permeability is affected by permafrost. In this soil lesson plan, students freeze soil over night, and discuss how the environmental conditions of freezing affect soil and further affect vegetation.
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Going, Going, Gone!

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders use the scientific method to test variables of evaporation. For this evaporation lesson plan, 6th graders test a wet handprint on a paper towel and relate this experiment to weather conditions.
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Rocks and Soil

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the physical properties of rocks. They explore the three different types of rocks and are able to compare and contrast their different properties. Students simulate the creation of sedimentary rock, they also...
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Forces of Nature: The Challenges of River Travel

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students examine how river travel affected the Lewis and Clark expedition. They define gravity, slope, and velocity, conduct a river formations experiment, complete an activity sheet, and watch a video about Lewis and Clark.
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WorldWatcher Project: Global Warming Project

For Teachers 8th - Higher Ed
Young scholars conduct lab activities, computer visualizations, and other various forms of research in preparation for a role-play activity in which they assume the identities of advisors to various heads of state on the subject of...
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Elements for Disaster Reporting

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students identify the elements of natural disasters and gain an understanding on how the media influences people's responses to disasters. In this natural disaster lesson plan, students study the impact of natural disasters, and the...
Lesson Plan
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Celebrate The Four Seasons

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students investigate cause and effect and compare and contrast how recurring cycles are evident in multiple aspects of their education. They answer questions in the chosen field. Students model each aspect by interpreting, perceiving and...
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Watershed Management

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers investigate the concept of a watershed. They conduct research into the concept using a variety of resources. Students take a field trip to a local watershed to make observations. The outcome is a report concerning the...
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Plants

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore the specific needs, characteristics, and uses of plants. They discuss the needs of plants as they grow. Students observe plants in various settings as they grow and note the changes they see.
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Planting Seeds Around the World

For Teachers 1st
First graders discuss the book The Lorax and research what living things need. In this environmental lesson, 1st graders investigate how humans affect the growth of plants. Students conduct an experiment with sunflowers.
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Rocky Intertidal Field Trip

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate tides and the land submerged under them.  For this intertidal field trip, Students visit the intertidal zone and observe the habitats and animals that live there.  Students view the pools under rocks where...
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Rocks

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine how sedimentary rocks are formed.  In this rock lesson students research different rock formations and different types of rock. 
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Zoo Poo

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students use Internet research to determine the amount of carbon dioxide produced per unit energy for biomass and coal. In this alternative energy instructional activity, students research to find out how much energy and carbon dioxide...
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Rockets on a Shoestring Budget

For Teachers K - 5th
Young scholars, operating under simulated budget constraints, build pop-rockets and launch them. Working in pairs, they complete budget worksheets and use their "Blast Off Bucks" to pay for the construction. They then redesign their...
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The Great Heat Escape

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students observe a demonstration on the role of thermal conductivity in heat transfer.  In this thermal conductivity lesson, students design and conduct an experiment to compare the thermal conductivity of four substances....
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Vermicomposting

For Teachers 1st
First graders investigate composting. In this biology lesson, 1st graders identify ways to use garbage as fertilizer. Students examine soil and compost matter as well as the role of worms in the dirt.
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Clouds and Rain

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students study how clouds form, what different types there are and what rain is.  In this atmospheric lesson students make a cloud and create evaporation.