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Building a Pill Bug Palace
Learners make "pets" of isopods (potato bugs) to determine their preferred environment and food sources. They record their results on a bar graph and in a scientific report.
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What is electrical energy?
Students distinguish between items with and without energy. In this energy lesson, students understand that natural resources power electrical apparatus and that energy needs to be saved.
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Structure of the Earth
Sixth graders define atmosphere and hydrosphere, explore through experimentation how the atmosphere was formed, and describe the layers of the Earth's atmosphere and their distances.
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The Flame and the Atom:
Students investigate the structure of atoms. Students read information about the Rutherford model, the Bohr model, and the Quantum Mechanical model examining each for its scientific validity. They watch a PowerPoint presentation of alpha...
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The Nutrients Public Transportation System
Students investigate the human circulatory system by experimenting with hoses. In this human body lesson, students create a system of hoses simulating the circulatory system which they utilize to pass objects through....
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Rain Reasons
Students explore how climatic factors influence the growth of plants. They create an experiment to find how variations in water, light, and temperature affect plant growth and describe how precipitation and geography can affect the...
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Permafrost
Students use a thermometer to analyze soil temperature data to determine which soil sample is normal, and which one is permafrost. In this permafrost lesson plan, students participate in a hands on activity where they identify the active...
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Biotechnology: Monster or Miracle
Students explore biotechnology. In this scenario-based lesson, students take a survey on what they know about genetic engineering, view a PowerPoint, and conduct a web quest. Students will then be placed in groups, and produce one of the...
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Teaching the Scientific Method Using Adhesives
Middle schoolers research on the history of adhesives. In this science lesson plan, students select one test to use in finding the stickiness of adhesives. They collect data and formulate a conclusion.
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How Does Flowing Water Shape a Planet's Surface?
Students investigate how flowing water influence landforms. In this earth science activity, students observe water behavior as it flows from the stream table at various inclinations. They discuss whether water shaped Mars landforms or not.
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Levers and Pulleys and Gears, Oh My!
Students explore the difference between compound and simple machines in this six lessons of this unit. The purpose and importance of a variety of types of simple machines and the effects of friction are investigated.
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A Breath of Fresh Air
Students explore the primary function of the respiratory system in multiple activities. In this respiratory system lesson, students build a model of the respiratory system to investigate how the lungs work.
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Matter and Energy
Students participate in a small group read aloud of the short story, "Cerium" by Primo Levi. They answer several questions about the story and then relate the reading to a lecture on Kinetic theory. After the lecture they apply the...
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Ice Melting
Students design investigations to test various materials to prevent heat gain in frozen water. The task assess students' knowledge of scientific inquiry including the following skills: observation, data collection, measurement,...
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Look At Those Leaves!
Students observe, measure, and sort tree leaves. They examine leaves individually, in groups, and in relationship to the entire tree. Pupils take a walk outside for a "Leaf Walk." Students are each given a lunch size paper bag, so that...
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Gravity, Forces, and Inertia
Learners participate in assessments involving gravity, forces, and inertia. They select from a menu of options assessments they would like to complete including worksheets, drawing posters, watching videos, creating crossword puzzles,...
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Lahar Travel Time
Ninth graders analyze published geologic hazard maps of California and comprehend how to use the map's information to identify evidence of geologic events of the past and present and predict geologic changes in the future. They select...
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Handling Discrepancies
Eleventh graders study the different ways students handle discrepancies. In this Physics lesson, 11th graders perform a laboratory experiment with resistors. Students discuss the ethical issues it raises.
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Air and Its Characteristics
Students explore air through guided discovery. In this air lesson, students will observe three demonstrations about air. They will answer leading questions as they observe how air displaces and takes up space, how air has weight, and how...
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Look Ma! I'm a Rocket Scientist!
Students use a ball to push and pull to demonstrate the concept of force. In this force lesson plan, students talk about the importance of force in space and use balls to demonstrate this phenomena.
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Introduction to Scientific Theory
Ninth graders explain how scientists set up investigations. In this scientific process lesson, 9th graders review the principles of the scientific method and use these skills to answer an open-ended question about how to set up a...
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Keep It Clean…Or Pass It Around
Students identify the harmful and beneficial effects of bacteria. In this biology lesson plan, students test the effectiveness of antibacterial cleaners. They create a presentation based on researched information and experimental results.
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Model Rockets
Students study the basics of a model rocket and its classifications. In this rocket activity students determine the flight duration of a model rocket.
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Quantitative Determination of the Composition of Water-based Paints and the Correlation of Paint Properties to Pain Composition
Students perform a series of tests on water-based paints. In this chemistry lesson, students identify their different functions. They calculate paint density and fractional concentrations.