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Government Gripes
Students, in groups, investigate the purpose and jurisdiction of government agencies assigned to regulate different science/technology/health issues, then describe situations in which agencies might have a disagreement, and stage a mock...
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Alien Invasions
Students create an educational pamphlet on the origins, spread and impact of invasive plant species in their community.
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Cardboard Tree and Endangered Animals Lesson
Students create endangered animal figures and their habitats.
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The World's Water Woes
Students discuss their community's water sources and assess the factors affecting the water availability and quality. They research water disputes around the world and explain common factors among them.
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Taking From the Giving Tree
Students explore the ways in which various American cities negotiate the protection of their "green infrastructure," gaining a broader understanding of proposed and enacted legislation as it relates to preserving and planting trees in...
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Federal and State Laws on Hazardous Waste
Students examine how laws on hazardous waste is developed and enforced. They work together to discover how statutes are passed as well. They complete an activity to end the lesson.
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Hula Hoop Biodiversity
Students determine the biodiversity in a variety of different areas. They record everything they can about their site- including drawing a picture of all the different plants they see in their hula hoop, in the circle on their page.
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Pond Succession Mural
High schoolers recognize that natural environments are involved in a process of continual change, and create murals showing three major stages of pond succession. They review the idea of succession (the orderly, gradual, continual...
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Acid Rain And Plants
Students observe the effects of acid rain on plants. They simulate an experiment using vinegar or lemon water. They observe the impact of acids on plants and recognize how acid rain can affect the environment. They examine their plants...
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Radon Gas in the Basement: A Radiation Hazard
In this radon gas instructional activity, students read about the harmful effects of radon exposure over time. They use a map that shows radon gas zones to answer 3 questions about exposure to the gas and the amount of radiation that...
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The Awful 8: The Play
Middle schoolers perform a play based on pollution. In this pollution science lesson plan, students perform a play about different pollutants and how it effects our daily lives.
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Wood You Believe: Wood Products
For this wood products lesson, students walk to a forest near their school where they sit by themselves for a few minutes and quietly observe their surroundings. Students brainstorm wood or wood by products, discuss everything we get...
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I See a Coyote
Students role-play coyotes looking for natural resources. For this natural resources lesson, students examine the relationship between animal life and the environment. Students play a game that demonstrates how natural resources affect...
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How Many Hats Does a Farmer Wear
In this farmer instructional activity, students make a spinning wheel to describe the jobs of a farmer. Students create 1 wheel with 8 different jobs for a farmer.
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Fishing
Students explore the techniques and basic needs of the fisherman. In this fishing lesson plan, students view a demonstration of the use of fishing equipment. Students research Iowa farm ponds and design a class mural from their...
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Adopt a Species!
Students identify endangered species. In this animal science lesson, students research endangered animals and create a fundraiser to "adopt" an endangered species.
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It's Not Easy Being Green
Students complete a unit that focuses on their school's waste production. They conduct a litter survey, collect the waste produced in their classroom for a week and generate a waste-audit, and identify how their school can minimize...
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Junk Mail Overload!
Students discuss the "junk mail nuisance" with the teacher and share their opinions on the problem. Students collect a week's worth of junk mail, bring to class and complete a chart about the amount and weight. Students then complete an...
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Macroinvertebrate Sampling
Students identify macroinvertebrate species to investigate ecological systems and the relationship between humans and the environment.
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Minnesota Ospreys and Migration
Students explore the route that Minnesota ospreys follow during spring and fall migration. They describe the important ecological characteristics of the places that ospreys pass through during their migration. They determine where...
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Monitoring Aquatic Ecosystems Lesson Plan
Students perform an experiment to test the quality of the water in a marsh.
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Global Warming
Students examine how human produced emissions of carbon dioxide contribute to global warming. Using the internet, they research the future effects of global warming on the Earth. In groups, they discover ways to reduce daily energy...
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High School Marine Science at its Best: Research Collaboration
Students formulate a more accurate understanding of the true nature of scientific research and the challenges and rewards of field investigations.
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Rainforests of Madagascar: Role Playing and Decision Making
Students examine reasons for deforestation and become familiar with Madagascar and its culture, while describing biological and abiotic components of a rainforest, and looking at aspects that must be addressed to resolve the issue of...