Curated OER
Population Explosion Relay
Students study the concepts of seed dispersal, germination rate, exponential population growth, and predation by engaging in a bean 'weeds vs. natives' relay race. They illustrate how weeds out-compete other plants for space by crowding...
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Fireworks Finale Card
Learners investigate the chemistry of fireworks. They research and experiment with the visual patterns of explosive fireworks. They then write appropriate messages such as holiday greetings, thank you notes, and poetry on personalized...
Curated OER
The Brief American Pageant: The Great West and the Agriculture Revolution
What comes to mind when you think of the 1860's - other than the Civil War? Paired with The American Pageant textbook (or not), this series of images completes a lecture on the mid-19th century. Cattle trails, Indian wars, and explosions...
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Space Shuttle
One slide details the features of Space Shuttle Discovery in graphic form. Another shows a faulty hydrogen fuel sensor. The final slide is a picture of the explosion of Space Shuttle Challenger and the ill-fated crew. If you wanted to...
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Space: The Universe As We Know It!
Students simulate the Big Bang. In this instructional activity on the origin of our universe, students role play to show how the Big Bang explosion may have created our universe.
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Bigger, Faster, Stronger . . . Higher
Students analyze popular feelings and beliefs about two major disasters: the sinking of the Titanic (1912) and the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger (1986). They compile evidence, through research and interviews, about how much...
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Planet Earth: Almost 6 Billion Served
Students investigate the global population explosion, by comparing India's and China's population control efforts and results. They interpret the UN's Human Development Report, and conduct research on another highly-populated country.
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Space: Supernova
Students explore the gigantic explosions in the universe that are produced by dying stars and cause new star formations.
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Let's Get Carried Away
Students discover how seeds travel from their parent plants in search of water, sunlight, and nutrients, and conduct experiments in which they note characteristics that encourage seed dispersal by means of wind, water, animal carriers,...
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It's Going to Blow Up!
Students discover the major characteristics of volcanoes on the Pacific Ring of Fire. They describe the processes that produce the "Submarine Ring of Fire." students explain the factors that contribute to explosive volcanic eruptions.
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Owl Pellets
Sixth graders investigate the role of owls in their ecosystem. In this food chain activity, 6th graders illustrate an owl food chain, dissect an owl pellet, and analyze data. Students discuss what would happen to owls if there were an...
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How Many Is Too Many?
Students explore the population explosion. They view a video depicting the exponential growth of human population. Students research the internet to project future population data. They perform hands-on, multimedia activities to study...
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Environmental Issues
In this environmental issues activity, students are given 10 current topics that are problems in our environment today. They complete sentences about each topic by filling in the blanks with the appropriate terms. Some of the issues...
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Gas Laws and Alka-Seltzer Rockets
Students investigate the Ideal Gas Law. In this three states of matter lesson, students create Alka-Seltzer rockets using film canisters. Students record observations and data according to the scientific method and explain the gas...
NASA
Solar Systems: Sequences and Probabilities
In this sequences and probability activity, students solve 3 problems by writing out all the possibilities for the solution and they use probability to find their answers. They determine the probability of solar flares happening on a...
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Alkali Metals
Students explore the unique properties of alkali metals. In this chemistry instructional activity, students create a mural of fireworks display after researching its different element components. They write a brief description about an...
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Africa Falls Prey to H.I.V.
Students use maps, statistics, and written texts to recognize the H.I.V. explosion in Africa.
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Challenges and Rewards
Young scholars are to research a specific disaster after seeing the Challenger explosion. They are to create a collage for the disaster they are choosing to show.
American Chemical Society
Can Gases Dissolve in Water?
Why does soda fizz when opened? Learners discuss the appearance of bubbles in soda bottles when opened. In groups, they design and complete an experiment comparing the amount of carbon dioxide dissolving in cold versus hot liquids.
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The Breathtaking Nature of the Urban Explosion, Part 2
Young scholars explore ozone levels. They measure the concentrations of ground-level ozone in the atmosphere. Students observe changes in the concentrations of ozone over time. Young scholars complete a data sheet to record ozone...
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The Breathtaking Nature of the Urban Explosion, Part 4
Students explore the respiratory system. They use a computer to monitor the respiratory rate of an individual. They determine residual oxygen levels in exhaled air. Students evaluate how internal 02 and C02 concentrations influence...
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The Big Burp: Where's the Proof.
Students explore the Cambrian explosion and Paleocene extinction events. In this climate change lesson, students read articles to link evidence they find to extinction and climate change. Links to the articles are included in the lesson.
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Ammonium Nitrate - Jeckyl or Hyde
Students study how chemicals can be very dangerous when not treated with care. They watch Ammonium Nitrate power point and read about accidents involving ammonium nitrate: Halifax Explosion, Oklahoma City Bombing.
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Ammonium Nitrate - Is it worth the Risk?
Students consider that ammonium nitrate is used as a fertilizer and an explosive. They study the chemistry of ammonium nitrate and consider the advantages and disadvantages of this compound. The dual nature of Ammonium Nitrate was...