Unit Plan
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Exploring Habitats

For Teachers 1st
Students analyze the difference between the human habitat and the different habitats of animals in the six lessons of this unit. The students' imaginations and literature are used to explore important aspects of the living environments...
Lesson Plan
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Think Green

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students experience and practice compositing and recycling through hands-on-activities. They distinguish between which items from their trash can be recycled, composted and reused. The process for making recycled paper is also covered in...
Lesson Plan
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Where Do Animals Come From?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students use library search engines to research an animal and its origin. In this animal research instructional activity, students research their assigned animal using ProQuest. Students then find the country of origin of the animal...
Lesson Plan
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Lakes

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students role-play members of an ecosystem. In this lake ecosystems lesson plan, students simulate various organisms within an ecosystem to discover the impact on the environment.
Lesson Plan
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Exploring Life in the Coral Reef

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study life forms in coral reefs. For this ocean life lesson, students study life in coral reefs as they create a coral reef sculpture.
Lesson Plan
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A Living Watershed

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students, through this series of lessons, use local resources, speakers, print and video materials, as well as standard text materials to study the ecosystem of the local watershed.
Lesson Plan
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Solid Waste and Recycling

For Teachers 5th - 7th
In this unit of lessons, students examine solid waste and recycling. They examine the relationship between Native Americans and land. They also decorate bags in which they discover the concept of decomposition.
Lesson Plan
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Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders review the needs of their community and salmon in a local creek. Using information they gathered, they design and implement a project to restore salmon and steelhead back to the local watershed. They identify threats to the...
Lesson Plan
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Not Just For A Baby's Bottom

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate the presence of talc in the geologic record. The different characteristics of talc is covered. The lesson includes background information for the teacher.
Worksheet
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Kidney and Related Concepts

For Students 9th - 12th
In this kidneys learning exercise, high schoolers review the function of the kidneys including what happens when the kidneys stop working. Students also compare kidney function in fish, frogs, and kangaroo rats. This learning exercise...
Lesson Plan
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Ecological Organization

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Pupils examine the concepts in the ecological organization unit.  In this ecological lesson students explore news articles that have to do with the study of ecology. 
Lesson Plan
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Land Use

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students examine ecosystems that covered Illinois 200 years ago, investigate some living and non-living components of ecosystems, identify components of prairie system, create food webs, and observe human effects on environment. Lessons...
Lesson Plan
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The Dead Zone: A Marine Horror Story

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students graph dissolved oxygen versus depth using data taken from NECOP Program. In this marine science lesson, students explain the causes of hypoxia. They recommend possible solutions to this problem.
Lesson Plan
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Galapagos Rift Expedition Come On Down!

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students research the development and implementation of a research vessel/vehicle used for deep ocean exploration. For this oceanography lesson, students calculate the density of objects by determining the mass and volume.
Lesson Plan
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Goals of the Diversity of Life Unit

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students are introduced to the unit on the importance of diversity of life and the role that interdependence plays in our worlds. this is part of a multi-lesson unit on the diversity of life.
Lesson Plan
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This Stuff Makes Me Sick

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students participate in a lab showing the effects of pesticides on Lumbriculus variegatus. Several extensions and variations are also included in this lesson including one which relates the experiment to how pesticides enter our drinking...
Lesson Plan
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Electric and Magnetic Fields

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars study the concept of magnetic and electric field.  For this magnetic lesson students participate in a lab using magnets.
Lesson Plan
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Exploring Levers

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the parts of a lever system and their functions.  In this simple machines lesson students study the different classes of levers and what they are used for. 
Lesson Plan
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Waves: Understanding the Motion of Waves

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students demonstrate the motion of waves. For this wave lesson, students demonstrate the various attributes to waves and the properties through a variety of hands-on activities.
Lesson Plan
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From Polliwog to Frog

For Teachers K - 5th
Students examine how frogs change. In this life cycle lesson, students create a model to show how a frog changes throughout its life. Students will show the process of frog metamorphosis, from polliwog to adult frog.
Lesson Plan
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Ocean Pollution

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study their role in eliminating ocean pollution and helping keep the oceans clean. In this environmental issues instructional activity, students define pollution and brainstorm examples of ocean pollution. Students define...
Lesson Plan
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Earth Time Scale

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students research the past eras in history including the Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic and the Cenozoic.  In this time scale lesson students take part in a lab that allows the students a better understanding of the timeline of...
Lesson Plan
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Dolphins

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Students explore sea life. In this cross curriculum fine arts, science, and P.E. "dolphins" lesson, students sing songs and play games about dolphins, perform water experiments, create mosaics, and use their five senses to explore sand...
Lesson Plan
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A Frog's Life Story

For Teachers K - 8th
Students investigate the lives of frogs by completing several worksheets.  In this biology instructional activity, students discover the life cycle of a frog from tadpole to death.  Students complete frog life cycle puzzle as...