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The Wildland/Urban Interface Dilemma
Students examine all sides of the issues surrounding wildland fire. Groups assume the roles of different people who must decide what to do about a fictitious wildfire. They have a discussion to analyze the issue. A good, real life lesson!
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The Opposable Thumb
Students explore the physical importance of the opposable thumb among primates. They discover which of their simplest daily activities are possible only because of their opposable thumbs.
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Machines: Useful But Dangerous
First graders study, observe, and use a simple machine. They study necessary safety and review posted safety rules related to using a machine and identify strategies for reporting any accidents or injuries.
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Shrink to Fit
Third graders review the characteristics of living and non-living organisms. After viewing a transparency of a forest scene, they complete a worksheet to identify what would be needed to make a small model of the forest having the same...
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Hide and Survive: A Natural Selection Activity
Students explore the theory of natural selection given certain scenarios. In this biology lesson, students graph data taken from the experiment. They explain the factors that contribute to the survival of the fittest.
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Making Sense of Things: The Human Body and Senses
Students conduct an experiment to evaluate the accuracy of their senses.
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One Tough Worm
Pupils explain the process of chemosynthesis. They are able to explain the relevance of chemosynthesis to biological communities in the vicinity of cold seeps.
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The Difference is the Truss
Students use a computer to simulate building and testing bridges with various types of trusses.
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Machines Use Energy
Third graders observe and discuss examples of friction. They discuss what experimentally increases and decreases friction. They then predict which surface will produce the most friction and verify the prediction.
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Habitat Is Home
Students are introduced to the concept and components of a habitat. They discuss the key components of a habitat and describe how certain factors can cause disturbances in a habitat and change its population. Activities are leveled for...
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Water Quality Monitoring
Students comprehend the four parameters of water quality. They perform tests for salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and clarity or turbidity. Students comprehend why scientists and environmental managers monitor water uality and aquatic...
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Photosynthesis and Respiration
Eighth graders differentiate photosynthesis and respiration. In this biology lesson, 8th graders draw a diagram explaining these two processes. They answer a quiz after the lesson.
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Clean Kansas Water
Students gain an understanding of ways we can be responsible custodians of our water supply. Students explore the governor's clean water initiative involving the Lower Kansas/Republican river basin and the pollutants present there.
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Cool, Clear Water - Or Is It?
Students use a problem solving method to offer a solution to one of the water quality problems within the Kansas Lower Republican River Basin. Groups research a problem area, then produce a skit, poem, song or story to illustrate the...
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Palm Use in Biology
Students view bacteria through a microscope. They draw and label the bacteria using microbiology software loaded onto their Palms.
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Running Water/Rivers-Life Cycle
Young scholars explore the parts of a river system and use topographical maps to determine the stage of the river.
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Tell Someone About Earth Day
Young scholars discuss ways in which grown ups can save energy, money and the Earth in preparation for sending out Earth Day e-cards. They make an Earth Day action list.
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Water Quality and the St. Mary¿¿¿s River Project Monitoring
Students list different parameters of water and explain how each is important to the balance of the St. Mary ecosystem. They identify the different instruments and explain what they test.
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Memory/Physiology Lab Activity
Students investigate the nervous system and how physical distractions influence mental performance. They work in pairs as a researcher and subject and memorize a series of words with no distractions. After repeating the list of words,...
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Ecology: Adaptations
Eighth graders identify different types of adaptation in organisms. In this biology lesson, 8th graders explain how adaptation help organisms survive. They complete a worksheet at the end of the lesson.
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Worms in a Bottle
Students gain a better understanding of the worm and its role in the recycling of organic materials into simpler forms by constructing worm bottles and observing for 60 to 90 days.
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Decomposers at Work!
Students design and conduct investigations that illustrate the process of decomposition. After a lecture/demo, students simulate the process of soil composting in the classroom. They closely chart the decomposition of their soil.
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Glue-line Insect
First graders explore characteristics of ladybugs. They view ladybugs in ventilated containers and discuss their observations. Students read a story about ladybugs and create a glue picture of a ladybug.
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Wild Waters Downtown
Fourth graders investigate how wild animals living in urba settings also need sources of clean water. They discuss the open water issues of West Nile Virus and what happens to urba animals as these poolings area are cleaned up. ...