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Strength of Water
Young scholars perform experiments using flexible bottles of water and eyedroppers partially filled and placed in the bottle. They record what happens when they tighten the bottle lid and squeeze the bottle.
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What Color is Chlorophyll?
Young scholars observe the interactions of chlorophyll and light. They develop and form their own testable hypotheses. Students predict the color of chlorophyll in various types of plants.
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Electric Car: American Industry and Innovation
Students study how an electric car operates. In this electric car lesson students assemble an electric car motor from parts from an internal combustion engine.
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Magnetic Discovery Bottle
Students examine how to conduct simple investigations and use simple equipment to gather data. In this magnet lesson students decide what types of objects are attracted to magnets.
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Seed Detectives
Students examine seed coats. In this biology lesson, students look at pictures of magnified seed coats, then use hand-help magnifiers or microscopes to look at seed coats on their own.
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EXPLORING OUR HUMAN BODIES
Students observe and investigate the human skeletal and muscle systems. They become aware of the versatility of movement as well as gain experience through the use of diagrams and hands on activities. An extensive vocabulary is covered...
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Heat Up the Floating Plates
Eighth graders research the connection between the convection currents within the mantle of the earth and the moving of Earth's plates. A connection to lessons at previous grade levels on the rock cycle and important background...
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Walk a Mile for a Burger?
Students are introduced to the pedometer, and use this tool to associate physical activity (physical energy) with calories burned (chemical energy). They comprehend the making and burning of energy.
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Alexander Graham Bell's Patent for the Telephone and Thomas Edison's Patent for the Electric Lamp
Students read a short biographical account about Bell and student B about Edison. Ask each pair to exchange information and determine what qualities these inventors shared. Ask students if they think all inventors share these qualities.
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How is Lightning Formed
Pupils research lightning paying particular attention to how it is formed, where it is most likely to occur, and how most people struck by lightning survive.
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Orienting a Photovoltaic Cell
Students explore the optimum angle for orienting a solar collector relative to the rays of incoming sunlight. They review equinoxes, solstices, and various locational ideas before students investigate using meters, light sources, and...
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Lightning
Students investigate lightning. In this lightning lesson, students demonstrate how static electricity is in the air by observing how a balloon reacts to a charge.
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Plate Tectonic - Volcanoes Lab
Second graders create analogs for lava and magma in experiments.
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There Is/Are - Counting Stars
In this counting stars worksheet, students fill in the blanks to a passage, complete the questions, and write sentences with possessive forms. Students complete 3 activities.
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Simple Machines
Learners investigate simple machines. In this simple machines lesson plan, students explore how tools increase productivity and make life easier. Learners experiment with simple tools and discover the parts of each tool.
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Celebrating the Smithsonian's Birthday
Students examine online objects from the Smithsonian website and use them as subjects and inspiration for creative writing exercises.
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How Much Radiation is Around You?
Students examine the use, misuse and fear of radiation. They read an article about radiation on food and discuss the positives and negatives of this process. They answer questions to complete the lesson.
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The Write Thing to Do
Students examine the proper way to write formal business letters. Students apply the skill to write letters to appropriate environmental protection agencies.
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Wind Dynamics and Forests
Students perform experiments to explore differences in wind speed and forest density. Through experimentation and observation, students realize that changes in vegetation affect the atmosphere and wind conditions. They create a model...
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Atomic Age Critical Thinking
Students research and discuss issues surrounding the atomic bomb and the concerns it raised and the consequences of dropping the atomic bombs on Japan. A variety of sample questions are provided to engage discussion.
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What's Happening Below The Surface?
High schoolers determine the soil composition of soil layers in their area. They collect soil samples, calculate the percentage soil water content, analyze data, and evaluate each site for future tree growth.
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Uranium On a Diet
Pupils examine how nuclear reactions differ from other chemical reactions they have studied. They add up atomic masses of both the product and reactant side of an example of uranium decomposition, demonstrating mass loss involved.
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Ozone Pollution: Smog Alert
Students simulate the development of smog. They discover how it forms naturally in nature. They read news articles about the ozone and pollution. They discuss what they can do to lower the pollution they generate.
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What Do I See Now When I Picture Saturn?
Students complete their study of Saturn and its moons. They reflect in writing what they have gathered from the lessons. They draw pictures and add captions to them. They share their work with the class.