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Acid Rain Research
Students collect samples of rainfall, cloud condensation, and water that trickles through the soil. These samples are tested for pH, conductivity, and the presence of sulfates, nitrates, calcium, and magnesium.
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Water Quest
Students visit the Hydrology Study Site, conduct a visual survey to discover info about local land use and water quality, and document their findings by mapping the water body. They use this investigation to raise questions for further...
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Water Walk
Students follow the appropriate sampling protocol and take two measurements of a local water source. These measurements are Transparency and Temperature. This info about local land use and/or water chemistry issues may require further...
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Bats: Fact and Fiction
Students describe the characteristics and behaviors of bats. After viewing a video, they explain how bats use echolocation to navigate and how they find their young within a group. They list four misconceptions about the animal and...
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Quadrat Sampling 101
Students explore the population of grass plants in a given area. They plan and conduct a sampling activity to estimate the population of dandelions or the number of grass blades on the school grounds.
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How Does a Seed Grow Into a Plant?
Second graders explore how seeds grow into plants. They discuss types of seeds and place seeds in wet paper towels to germinate. They draw a picture in their journal to record their observations for four days. They take pictures of their...
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Demonstrating Erosion in Action
Students easure and record volume of water, then measure and record mass of soil. They explain the effects of the following in controlling erosion: Contouring, cover crop, strip cropping, reforestation, inter-seeding.
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Living or Nonliving
Third graders brainstorm a list of the characteristics of living and nonliving organisms. Individually, they find four nonliving and living items and the characteristics that make them fit into one of the categories. To end the...
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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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Discovering Owls
Students are introduced to different types of owls and owl pellets. They list several adaptations that benefit the owls. Students identify the various species of owl that live in Wisconsin. Students discuss owl pellets and identify the...
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Aquatic Field Data
Young scholars use laptops and sensors to measure water quality and graph their results. In this aquatics lesson plan students post their results to a website or email.
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Litter Patrol
Students collect litter. In this recycling instructional activity, students review the term litter and give examples. Students collect litter at their school. They separate the litter into different categories and discuss if these...
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Sense Of Place
Students study ecology, listen to speakers and research conservation topics. In this investigative lesson students discuss wilderness resources, learn about Native Americans and participate in activities that help them to better...
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This Lesson Is a Breeze, So Don't Blow It!
Students conduct an experiment to show that air is all around us and that wind is the movement of air. They construct a weather vane to determine which direction the wind is blowing.
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Tidepool Island Biogeography
Students experience and test island biogeography ideas by comparing diversity and abundance of rocky inter-tidal patches. Working, in groups of three, they investigate rocks and creatures found in a tidepool. Lesson plan designed for...
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What Color is Your Air Today?
Students investigate air quality. They analyze Air Quality Index data tables, interpret the graphs, complete a worksheet, and discuss trends in air quality.
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Learn to Build a Rocket in 5 Days or Your Money Back
Students discover the entire process that goes into designing a rocket for any customer. They study important factors such as supplies, ethics, deadlines and budgets. Also, students explore about the Engineering process, and recognize...
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Waterwheel Work
Students investigate the history of the waterwheel and common uses for water turbines today. They construct an experimental waterwheel using a two-liter plastic bottle, measure the rate of revolution of a waterwheel, and complete a...
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Water: Naturally Cleaned
Learners use stream trays covered in different types of rocks or soil to investigate infiltrates and runoff. In this water pollution instructional activity, students work in groups with stream trays that have different substrates. They...
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What is Wrong with My Pond?
Students examine various pond water samples to identify water quality. For this water quality lesson, students will identify levels of nitrates, ammonia, pH, hardness,and alkalinity in pond water. They will explain importance of water...
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Sound All Around Us
Students make predictions about how sound is formed. They view and discuss a video that explores sound formation and attempt to identify the origin of different sounds.
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The Benefits of Biodiversity
Students examine the concept of biodiversity. They toss coins to determine what traits mouse parents have and the babies traits as well. They predict what would happen to the baby mice if the traits of the parents were different.
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Simple Machines
Third graders examine and identify the six types of simple machines. Using a model of each simple machine, they demonstrate the state the function of them to the class. They discover examples of simple machines at school and home and...
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What Does My Bacteria Look Like?
Students identify Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria using staining techniques. Students research importance of identification of bacterial types in diagnosing bacterial diseases.