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Biome Bazaar
Students construct 3-D biomes. The ultimate goal of this activity is to allow students to be official tour guides and to teach one another about biomes, environmental responsibilities, habitats, and human roles in the various ecosystems.
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A Symphony of Decomposers
Students discover decomposition. In this environmental lesson, students explore different types of decomposers and their role within the ecosystem. Students also discover how waste interferes with the decomposition process.
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Biosphere II
Students continue their examination of the existence of life on Earth. In groups, they determine the role of the water cycle and other biogeochemical cycles play in keeping balance on Earth. They participate in experiments to discover...
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How Much Water?
Students investigate amount of water available in different countries around the world, compare it to their daily water use, and explore how unequal distribution of water can cause challenges to survival. Students then discuss need to...
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Collect Data Using a Transect Line
Young scholars learn about transect lines through a study of marine debris. In this marine debris lesson, students calculate the items on a transect line and graph them. Young scholars complete a category worksheet.
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Brine Shrimp Hatching Experiment
Learners hatch brine shrimp in a classroom experiment. For this hatching brine shrimp lesson, students participate in two-week lab in which they study how brine shrimp hatch under different conditions. They record data about the control...
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Water Quality
Young scholars examine water quality and how to improve it, how to measure it and how it relates to human activities. In this water quality lesson students sample water from different sources, and test the samples.
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Mouthpart Madness
Students explore the basic biology of a pest. They identify the four major kinds of insect mouthparts and explain how they work. Students examine the specific mouthparts and how they can limit food resources and in what environment an...
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Groundwater as Part of the Water Cycle
Ninth graders study the effects of soil and rocks on filtering groundwater. In this groundwater lesson students complete a lab activity that includes sources of contamination.
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Earth Water Distribution and Water Consumption
Students explore the need for conserving fresh water and understand that it is a limited supply. In this water consumption lesson students participate in an activity and answer questions.
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Wetlands/Watershed Model
Students work together to create a watershed model. They discover the flow of surface water on different topography. They examine how materials originate from miles away and end up in a different wetland.
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Wetlands/Watershed Model
Students make a model that will demonstrate the flow of surface water across the land in Texas and how materials that originate many miles away can end up in the wetland along the coast.
American Museum of Natural History
Feed the Birds
Scholars use a large carton, string, an emery board, and bird food to create a hand-made bird feeder. After completing the craft, pupils keep a journal to track their observations.
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Ecology
Students gain an understanding of necessary components required within a healthy, sustainable environment and ways human actions can impact that balance while discovering how to recognize and analyze explanations and models used in...
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Does the increased use of fertilizers effect biodiversity?
Students conduct a hands-on lab activity in which they analyze a sample of water from a local stream or pond. They introduce a fertilizer solution into the sample and analyze and describe their findings.
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"Habitats"
Students complete a unit of lessons on animals and animal conservation. They observe a square meter of ground outside the school, set up a model environment, analyze an owl pellet, grow bread mold, and explore various websites.
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Erosion
Fifth graders study what erosion is, what causes it, and ways to slow its progress. They complete an experiment that depicts soil moving down a slope as water is poured on it to show how moving water erodes land. Next, they observe...
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Wacky Water Critters
Students visit a local creek or stream. They collect water samples from the creek and observe and sort the "water critters" they find in the sample, observing smaller organisms under a microscope if necessary. They identify each organism...
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Radical Raptors
Students are introduced to raptors and their role in the environment. They identify three characteristics of raptors and list several types of raptors found in nature. They discuss their positive and negative experiences with raptors and...
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Freshwater Macroinvertebrates
Students identify and count Macroinvertebrates at a Hydrology website. In this macroinvertebrates lesson students collect, sort and identify Macroinvertebrates.
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Scales, Scutes, and Skins
Young scholars identify the various adaptations of reptiles and amphibians. After distinguishing between reptiles and amphibians, students discuss the ways in which their adaptations aid in their survival. They participate in a hands on...
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Water Quality Tests Explained
Students define all eight water quality parameters and list at list one source for each of the eight water quality parameters. They determine how each of the eight parameters affect river ecosystems.
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Water Pollution
Fifth graders examine what contaminated water looks like, and how it becomes polluted. They examine a teacher demonstration of water is not polluted but does contain rocks and other things that do need to be cleaned out before drinking...
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Wacky Water Critters
Students recognize the biodiversity that exists in a wetland ecosystem. They identify individual wetland organisms. Students define, identify, and comprehend the importance of adaptations. They describe the process of metamorphosis.