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Invasive Species
Students study exotic and native species, and examine how exotic species can impact native ones. They study how the mute swan effects native species.
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Hands Off
Middle schoolers perform a handwashing experiment to see if a difference can be detected in the number and types of microbes on our hands after various types of cleaning. They will also demonstrate that they have learned the whys and...
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Where in the World? Biomes of the Earth
Students research a biome. In this biomes of the Earth lesson, students discuss what they already know about ecology and view pictures of different biomes. Students work in groups to research a different biome. Students...
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The Circle of Life: Food Chain
Students develop a flow chart using computer software to show a food chain combination. For this food chain lesson, students are first read The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry, then they create a story map of the story. ...
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Testing Your Water
Students perform several water quality tests on groundwater from their area. They use test strips to determine the pH, hardness, alkalinity, nitrates, iron and chloride levels.
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Parts of a Tree
Students identify four parts of trees. In this plant biology lesson, students read the book Trees and conduct Internet research to identify the parts of the tree. Students take notes from each website and complete an included worksheet.
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Endangered Species: Not Only Animals
Students research endangered animals and plants. In this biology lesson, students are read Will We Miss Them? Endangered Species by Alexandra Wright before they begin searching for information to complete an endangered species...
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Comparing Sea Horses and Knights
Learners investigate sea horses and knights. In this marine biology instructional activity, students read the book How to Hide an Octopus and discuss the purpose of camoflage. Learners research knights and sea horses and record...
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African Wildlife
Students investigate the wildlife of Africa. In this animal science lesson, students view the video "National Geographic's African Wildlife" and visit websites to research additional information on the wildlife of Africa. Students...
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Water Hardness- Causes and Testing
Eighth graders examine what materials cause water hardness and the relative measure of water hardness in a two part lab activity. In part one, 8th graders add an assigned soap test solution to eleven different test tube solutions in...
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Learning from Light: The Big Bang
High schoolers explore what astronomers are able to examine our galaxy and universe by examining light. They explore in this sub-unit the formation of the universe, commonly called "The Big Bang," and it follows studying from the Light:...
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BEETLES: The Coming Out
Students design an experiment to test the variables involved in the hatching of the Bruchid beetle.
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WATER QUALITY FOR FRESHWATER ORGANISMS
Students use determination of dissolved oxygen and water temperature changes to determine the environmental impact from thermal pollution.
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Reading the River
In collaborative groups, young ecologists measure the temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen for three different freshwater samples. They examine each sample with a microscope and record observations on the microorganisms in the pond...
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Environmental Concerns (1) Analysis of Lead in Paint (2) Analysis of Water
A scenario and background information are provided for two different open-ended experiments that experienced chemistry classes can perform toward the end of the school year. In the first, they design a method for testing flakes of paint...
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Underwater Habitats
Students make a hydrophone and attach it to their Sea Perch ROVs. They use the hydrophones in conjunction with the underwater cameras on the ROVs to explore their local aquatic environments.
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Living in Water
Fourth graders perform a lab activity in which they examine the external structure of a preserved fish and find out why fish can survive and live in water. They perform a lab which is guided by a worksheet imbedded in this plan.
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DRY UP BABY ! ANHYDROBIOSIS (freeze drying)
In this lab, students explore how organisms are able to survive the extreme environmental conditions found in the Polar regions. Students observe and draw active living rotifers and Tardigrades, design and perform experiments to collect...
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Biological Sampling Device Using a Sea Perch
Students construct plankton nets to be towed and collect specimens to be examined and analyzed in the classroom. They develop research skills through collection of an aquatic sample. They write lab reports after interpreting, identifying...
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Camouflage and Protective Coloration: A Model of Natural Selection
Young scholars collect data and compare whether protective coloration or camouflage provides better biological fitness in a given environment. They simulate predator prey interactions of two different species and use gene frequencies to...
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How Does Water Cause Weathering?
Fourth graders explore the weathering process of water on rocks. They observe how water and friction from other rocks cause them to weather. Students discuss examine and discuss various rocks found on the playground, beach, etc. They...
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Natural Selection in Action
Students demonstrate natural selection through a lab activity. In this biology lesson, students explain how natural selection leads to speciation. They complete their lab report and discuss results in class.
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Invertebrate Classification
Students discuss the recent disovery of the "furry lobster" to peak interest in the animal kingdom. They classify various speciments using invertebrate dichotomous keys, identifying major animal phyla and classes. Thy the complete the...
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Evolution
Students illustrate the results of natural selection by identifying the specific adaptation of an organism that allows the species to survive in that environment. They illustrate the results of natural selection by recognizing examples...