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Muddy Waters: A historical view of land use patterns, water quality, and the conservation movement

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students research the impact that human activity had on Pennsylvania's water supply over time. In this water quality lesson plan, students research, discuss, and write about how Pennsylvania's water quality has been affected and what...
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Paleoecology Using "Fossilized" Owl Pellets

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study the differences in anatomy to help identify different species and use a dichotomous key to identify what the owls were eating.  In this investigative lesson students dissect owl pellets to identify the species eaten...
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Elmer's Glue Crew

For Teachers K - 3rd
Young scholars practice cleaning up the environment by identifying wasteful behaviors in their school. In this arts and crafts activity, students create "eco-inspector" binoculars using Elmer's glue, plastic wrap, and construction paper....
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Crops of Saskatchewan

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students research one of the commercial crops grown in Saskatchewan. In this agriculture lesson, students discover locations, characteristics, common problems, and biotechnological developments related to the crops of Saskatchewan.
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Ecosystem Food Web Mural

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners create a food web mural about an ecosystem of the freshwater marsh. For this food web lesson plan, students write about the organisms and how each one depends on another.
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How We Impact the Earth

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work in cooperative learning groups to create PowerPoint or KeyNote presentations on how humans impact the earth. This lesson can be accomplished in three different parts.
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The Kapok (Ceiba) Tree

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the rainforest. They listen to The Great Kapok Tree and create a web using Inspiration software. They research kapok trees and create posters to make others aware of the plight of the rainforest. They role-play the...
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The Edge of Home

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain why some species of plants and animals occur in more than one area. They watch as the teacher puts an overlapping circles on the chalkboard, students are asked to predict what kinds of things they would expect to find in...
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Wetland Metaphors

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils are presented with a selection of hands on objects for investigation as metaphors for natural functions of wetlands. A 'Mystery Metaphor Container' is presented to the class with everything having to do with a wetland in some...
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Arctic cleanup

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders examine pollution problems and how it affects the community.  In this arctic cleanup lesson students study ocean currents and how they affect pollution. 
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Regions: Meet the Experts Presentation

For Teachers K - 4th
Students gather information and create a web site on prairies and plains using a variety of resources, including the internet.
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What Structural Challenges Do Bridge Builders Face Today?

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students investigate the process of constructing a bridge. They study the meaning of structural force and draw pictures of examples. Students identify the types of building materials have been used in history to construct bridges and how...
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Coarl Reef Degradation

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore methods of preserving Hawaii's ocean ecosystem. Using underwater cameras, students take pictures of the underwater reef. They perform activities to determine the history and degradation of the coal reef. While...
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Cotton and Cabbage

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students note how given traits could be achieved by selective breeding and by transgenesis. They identify different uses of GEO. Students recognize that the use of letters (Bt) before an organism's name means that the organism has had a...
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Worm Posters Presentations and Worm Box Part 2

For Teachers K
Students work in small groups to investigate the topic, make a visual aid, and present to the class. They are given the following four topics: Worms and other decomposers, taking care of a worm box, waster and recycling, and...
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Make a Rain Stick for Earth Day

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Young scholars construct rain sticks. In this ecology multicultural lesson, students use recyclable items to construct a rainstick. Detailed instructions for making and decorating the rainstick are given.
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Energy Audit

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine the level of energy usage on a local and national level. Using the internet, they discover ways to conserve energy every day and how over-consumption of energy negatively affects the environment. In groups, they...
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Solar Cars

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research the causes and effects of air pollution. Using the internet, they examine the specific effects of carbon dioxide on the environment and discover the benefits of using solar power. In groups, they build a model of a...
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Acid Rain

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify the causes and effects of acid rain. Using the internet, they research pollution sources in their local area and by collecting rain samples and testing the pH. In groups, they develop their own plan urging local...
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Contaminated Water

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars review and use the steps in the scientific method to complete the experiment. In groups, they research the importance of water to plants and animals in their local area. They examine how water can become contaminated and...
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Fuel Cells

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine how fuel cells and combustion engines work. Using the internet, they research the positives and negatives of the various energy sources. In groups, they complete an experiment with a working fuel cell model and take a...
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Gwynns Falls

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the question: What is the impact of urban development and expansion on the health of a decidious forest ecosystem and humans? They examine the issue of land development by responding to a specific scenario and...
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High Rollaway Heroes

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students work collaboratively with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to preserve a local historical and environmentally fragile site. They conduct a survey of the plant and animal life at the site, and create an informational...
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Striding into the Scientific Future: Illuminating Clinical Trials

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars participate in a simulation of a Senate hearing before the committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. They bring together all the concepts they've explored in science, language arts and government classes over...