Lesson Plan
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Probes, Exploration & Application

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine some of the benefits of the space program to our life on Earth.
Lesson Plan
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The Phantom of the Computer Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners calculate the power consumption of computers in school. In this physics lesson, students design an experiment to determine whether the school should unplug computers at the end of the day. They collect data and report findings...
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Burning Up! A Look at Global Warming

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students investigate global warming. In this global warming lesson, students watch movies about global warming, discuss problems in their local community and see how communities have changed over time. Students realize the importance of...
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Fossils Lesson 4 - Who Are Some Famous Fossil Hunters and What Are Their Finds?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners research and develop a presentation about a famous fossil hunter/archaeologist. In this fossil hunter/archaeologist lesson plan, students listen to a reading of Don Brown's, Rare Treasure: Mary Anning and Her Remarkable...
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Watch Me Grow

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students observe that plants need air, food, light, and water to survive.  In this plant biology lesson, students observe the growth and development of two plants, one is the control plant and the other is denied either air, water,...
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A Line Graph of the Ocean Floor

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students develop a spreadsheet and import the information into a line graph. In this spreadsheet and line graph instructional activity, students develop a spreadsheet of ocean depths. They import the information into a word processed...
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Using Abiotic and Biotic Parameters to Monitor Air Quality

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students identify the abiotic factors that influence a river or stream and the organisms that live in it. They measure several abiotic and biotic parameters to gauge water quality. Students examine the biotic environment by identifying...
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Predicting the Growth of Microorganisms

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students determine where microorganisms might be found around their school. In this scientific investigation lesson, students collect cultures from various locations and place these in petri dishes. They incubate the cultures to see if...
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Dino History

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students create a timeline of the times dinosaurs lived.  In this  dinosaur timeline lesson plan, students research the various periods when dinosaurs lived. Students work in groups to research the dinosaurs of a specific time...
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Magnetism: What is a Magnetic Field?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students make a compass.  In this magnetism lesson, students use the Internet to research magnetic fields and perform an experiment to find the magnetic fields around different magnets.  Students use the Internet to research...
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What is the Rainforest?

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students investigate rainforests. In this rainforest lesson, students brainstorm on a KWL chart about what they already know about the rain forest. Students are shown pictures of the rain forest and describe what they see in the photos....
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Importance of the Rain Forest

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students use the Internet to conduct a research project.  In this rain forest lesson, students work in groups to research different parts of the rain forest.  Students research climate, foods, house products and...
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African Wildlife

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students investigate the wildlife of Africa. In this animal science lesson, students view the video "National Geographic's African Wildlife" and visit websites to research additional information on the wildlife of Africa. Students...
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Geology of Yosemite

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students are shown slides of Yosemite and explore how the valley was formed by performing an experiment. Instructions on how to set up the lab are included. They can be assessed orally or by writing a report on the outcome of the lab.
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Using Magnetotactic Bacteria to Study Natural Selection

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students demonstrate that living organisms may possess incredible adaptations which enable them to survive. They observe bacteria that are able to orient themselves using the Earth's magnetic field and formulate a hypothesis as to how...
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Field Research Project: Comparing the Parent Rock Material of the San Francisco Terranes With Local Soil Types

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students investigate rocks and minerals and take a field trip to sample soils. They analyze rocks and soil, research the geological terrenes of the topology of San Francisco, and produce a lab research report.
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Remote Control

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore and evaluate several distance learning Web sites. They defend whether or not they would like to participate in the distance learning experience by either writing a proposal for including this distance learning project...
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A Whirlwind Tour

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore volcanoes, hurricanes, and tornadoes through the use of the Internet.
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Vectors

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students describe motion by the use of adding vectors. They identify the difference between the x and y components of vector quantities. Students are given the Paper Bridge Building handout and the instructions as to where to perform...
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Radiation Budget Lesson: Exploring Albedo

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students experiment with sunlight and temperature. They study the definition of albedo, or the percentage of incoming sunlight that is reflected, rather than absorbed.
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Everybody Needs a Little Sunshine

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Three activities introduce upper elementary ecologists to photosynthesis and food webs. In the first, an experiment is set up to determine how plants respond to different types of light. In the second, they connect organism cards with...
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An Internet Lesson on the Planets

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders research one of the planets in the solar system based on questions that they develop using information from the Internet. They create a travel brochure using the research information.
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Energy and Energy Conversion

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate different energy conversions through hands-on activities. In this energy lesson, 3rd graders move through four stations and conduct experiments illustrating energy conversions. Wave energy, chemical energy,...
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Losing An Island

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine carbon dioxide and determine the impact of greenhouse gases on the earths spheres.  In this pollution lesson students complete a lab activity to see the impact of gases on the environment,