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What is Life?
Students investigate the characteristics of living things. In this life science instructional activity, students examine several living and non-living specimens. Students determine which things are living and non-living.
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Deep Sea Vents
Students study the vent and non vent deep sea and see the differences in habitats. In this investigative lesson plan students complete a worksheet and work in groups.
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Water Cycle
Young scientists explore Earth elements by conducting an experiment. They define water vocabulary terms such as condensation and precipitation. In addition, they conduct a water experiment in which they build a terrarium, so they can...
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Physical Changes to Matter
Pupils explore matter by conducting an in-class experiment. They experiment with water's various forms by melting and freezing water, identifying its new shape. These observations are recorded to supplement later discussion. They also...
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What Is Viscosity?
Students experiment with the visocosity of corn syrup, mineral oil, vegetable oil, water, and honey. They research viscosity before beginning. Pupils draw the conclusion that the marble sinks more slowly in the liquids with greater...
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The Transfer of Energy 3: Rust and Corrosion
Students research the type of chemical reaction that occurs when metal rusts. They conduct an experiment looking at the rate of corrosion in steel wool. This is lesson three in a three lesson unit on the transfer of energy.
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Starch
Students examine the basics of starch and how it is used in food. In this photosynthesis lesson students experiment with variables that affect starch production in photosynthesis.
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Liquid Rainbow
Students develop their own techniques for drawing a small sample of solutions into a straw. They hypothesize ways to increase the density of water, and discuss how salt-free rainwater tends to float on top of salty seawater.
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Click, Clack, Moo: Electric Blanket Science
Students read Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin and discuss the similarities and differences between electric blankets and regular blankets. They brainstorm a list of reasons why the farm animals wanted electric blankets.
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Solar Collectors
Young scholars explore solar collection. In this solar energy lesson, students use two circles of white and black construction paper at the bottom of containers of water to investigate solar collection. Young scholars record the...
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Metamorphic Rock: Melting Rocks
Students observe and gain a better understanding of the metamorphosing power of heat. They mix mini-marshmallows and chocolate chips in a bowl and add just enough peanut butter so the mixture clumps together.
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Invisible Ink
Students are introduced to the concept of chemical change when they observe the chemical change that occurs between vinegar or lemon juice and heat.
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Organisms – Their Needs
Students compare and contrast different organisms characteristics. In this life science lesson plan, students design an experiment about plants and animals needs. They collect data and write their conclusion about the experiment.
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Greenhouse Effect: A Computer Simulation
Students complete an online simulation of the greenhouse effect. In this lesson on the greenhouse effect, students use a website, similar to a webquest, to simulate and answer questions on how the greenhouse effect works. This lesson is...
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Earth Energy Budget Pre Lab
Learners explore energy by conducting an in class experiment. In this climate change lesson, students conduct a water vapor experiment in a soda bottle. Learners utilize graphs and charts to analyze the results of the experiment and help...
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Modeling Estuaries
Students create a model estuary. In this modeling estuaries lesson, students identify characteristics and mix water of varying densities. Students form a hypothesis, conduct an experiment, and analyze the results.
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The Human Organism
In this digestion and nutrition lesson, 3rd graders test foods to find their vitamin content. Students test for starch and fats then compare their findings on charts and oral reports. The lesson concludes with a teacher directed class...
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Fish Hazards
Students study the Pacific salmon and see the different challenges they face. In this environment lesson students complete several activities that show how humans have affected the salmon environment. These activities have varying...
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Ecological Impact of River Dams
Students investigate their environment by completing an in-class experiment. In this ecological lesson, students define the roles of dams and how electricity is created by them. Students utilize plastic jugs, sand and tap water to...
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Winter Season
Learners recognize the relationship between Earth's tilt and the Winter season. In this Winter instructional activity, students work in pairs to complete make frost and design snow goggles. Learners experiment a hand lens to study the...
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What is Plastic?
Students experiment with plastics. In this what is plastic lesson, students make a simple polymer and discuss recycling. Students identify various types of plastics.
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Bioplastics
Students define bioplastics and identify its uses. For this bioplastics lesson, students compare and contrast styrofoam to starch peanuts after careful examination. Students understand what biodegradeable means.
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Rocks and Soil
Students 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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Home-Made Clouds
Fourth graders witness cloud formation in a jar during a teacher lead simulation. They research, draw and predict weather using information they gather about clouds.