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Charting Diversity
Students organize different species of plans and animals according to various characteristics. Students then determine what characteristics enable them to survive in their habitat. Game ideas and activities are included.
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THE FARMER CARES FOR THE LAND
Students will identify cause and effect relationships in issues relating to Agriculture and the environment.Ask students to describe what farmers do. Then ask students to define the word "environmentalist." Ask students if they have...
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Habitat Dynamics
Young scholars develop an interactive diary to record bird seed consumption. In this habitat lesson, students predict and record the amount of birdseed eaten each week by birds.
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How Big is Your Footprint?
Students create awareness for ways in which the "Western" lifestyle negatively impacts the Earth. They create awareness for alternatives to our current ways of living, eating and traveling. Students are challenged to talk with their...
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Introducing Biodiversity
Young scholars are introduced to the life around them. As a class, they discuss their prior knowledge about the habitats in their local area. Using the internet, they identify the basic components needed for biodiversity and the major...
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Microbes and Climate
Students examine how microbes play a role in the climate system. In this climate lesson students complete an activity, create a PowerPoint presentation and present it to the class.
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Estuaries, Estuarine Habitats, and Adaptations
Students conduct research on estuaries. They design and construct an estuary, describe the physical characteristics of an estuary, and create a diagram illustrating an estuarine food web.
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Living in Extreme Environments
High schoolers examine the characteristics of the ocean floor and the importance of of extreme environments. In this investigative lesson students use four methods to sample populations, gather, record and analyze data from a...
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Have You Seen Me? An Introductory Lesson on the Loss of Biodiversity
Students investigate environmental law and policies involving endangered species as well as discuss human impact on biodiversity through an Internet research project. Students create a milk carton of their "missing" endangered species.
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Rainforests of Madagascar: Role Playing and Decision Making
High schoolers examine reasons for deforestation and become familiar with Madagascar and its culture, while describing biological and abiotic components of a rainforest, and looking at aspects that must be addressed to resolve the issue...
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Hopper Hunt: IPM Decision-making in Alfalfa
Students describe migrations and life cycle pattersn of a key alfalfa pest, the Porato Leafhopper. They define the Economic Inquiry Level and Economic Threshold. Students evaluate data in relation to profit as it applies to IPM. They...
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Water, Water Everywhere: The Johnstown Flood
Learners analyze the events that lead up to the failure of the South Fork Dam and the impact the flood had on the region. For this historical lesson students develop presentations on the Johnstown Flood.
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How Much Is An Ecosystem Worth?
Students explain and discuss the importance of ecosystems. They analyze the natural resources in the environment. They also suggest actions that would protect ecosystems.
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Invertebrate Research Project
Students keep a scientific research notebook on an invertebrate detailing its behavior and responses.
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Inquiry-based Investigations into Pond Water Microorganisms
Students become familiar with common microorganisms and experience exploring the microbial world.
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An Introduction to the Marine Environment and Geology of City Point: A Model for Experiential Teaching
Young scholars begin the lesson by researching the history of City Point, Connecticut. Using a map, they color areas they were asked to find and discuss why the areas are important to the community. As a class, they are shown recent...
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The Tree of Life
Students discover the amount of diversity that exists in a local area using simple techniques that make observing biodiversity easy and enjoyable. They select a tree to study, collect vials of specimens, then identify the arthropod.
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Flowering Phenology: How Do Plants Know When to Flower?
Students study the process of plant reproduction and the biotic and abiotic factors that affect flowering phenology. In this plant reproduction activity, students describe the interaction of environmental factors as it relates to...
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Sustainability
Fifth graders investigate the concept of natural resources. They participate in a simulation project to see possible uses. They use the internet to study how Hacienda Verde is used as a model for others for sustainable coffee crops.
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Countdown Calendar
Students create a calendar of endangered species. In this preservation lesson, students research endangered species of plants and animals around the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. Students gather facts about the endangered species and create...
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Into the Sea
Students display an awareness of the diversity of species in the coral reef, their habitat and adaptations. They conduct research to find and then color code the locations of coral reefs around the world.
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Can You Name the Four Seasons?
Students explore names, characteristics and traditions of the seasons and observe weather changes throughout the year.
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Conservation 'Ad'vice for National Parks
Students discuss ways that the public can damage as well as preserve our natural and cultural resources. Small groups are each assigned one of the national parks and must design a poster or TV commercial that celebrates the importance of...
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Developing a Child's Sense of Place
Learners develop empathy with the natural world; visual and aural senses of spatial awareness; and initiate sound and space awareness, movement, indoor/outdoor, map-making and nature activities that correlate with a child's sense of play.