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The Journey of the Pacific Salmon
Students examine the journey of the Pacific salmon. In this salmon species lesson, students review the stages of the salmon life cycle and conduct an experiment to determine how the water and habitat changes during each stage.
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Kingdom Animalia ~ A Look at the Five Major Classes
Biological taxonomy masters examine the five main classes under phylum chordata. Pupils compare and contrast the identifying characteristics of the various organisms. They explain why taxonomy is important in classifying organisms. You...
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Great Lakes Food Web
Students identify species and components of a Great Lakes food web. Using note cards, they place themselves in the correct order of the food chain based on the species present. They discuss what they believe happens to various species...
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Zebrafish Development
Students examine the early development of zebrafish as a model for embryo development in humans. They observe various stages of zebrafish reproduction from sperm and eggs to fertilized eggs and hatchlings.
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A Tour Down the Hudson River
Students discuss how the Hudson River is an ecosystem made up of both biotic and abiotic factors. They view the PowerPoint the Journal Down the Hudson River. Students become aware of where the Hudson River begins and ends, the plant and...
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Zebra Mussel Population Simulation
Students are taught how to format and enter data into an Excel spreadsheet. They make a graph, and interpret graphed data. Students discuss the possible impacts of zebra mussels on the Hudson river. They graph zebra mussel data.
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Oceanography
Second graders identify saltwater and freshwater habitats and the resources found in them. They compare and contrast the two habitats and discuss their findings. They discover the resources bodies of water can provide.
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Who Will Get the Last Drop?
Students discuss the importance of California's water system. In this earth science lesson plan, student play the role of different stakeholders. They present a 2-3 minute argument on their group's perspective about their need for water.
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Oceans
First graders recognize that nearly three quarters of the Earth is covered by ocean. They locate the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic and Antarctic oceans on a map. They describe the difference between ocean water and fresh water.
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'O'opu Life Cycle
Learners investigate the life cycle of the 'o'opu also known as Hawaiian gobies. In this amphidromous living lesson plan, students discuss the reproductive cycle, create props and an obstacle course to demonstrate the importance of...
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Repopulating Michigan's Waterways
Eleventh graders identify the parts of an ecosystem and how communities change over time. In this ecology lesson students formulate a habitat restoration plan.
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Understanding the Nitrogen Cycle within the Aquarium
Young scholars discuss ammonia, and ways it may get into the aquarium. They complete a worksheet about the Nitrogen Cycle. Students learn how to get the ammonia and nitrite out of their aquarium.
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Plankton / Phytoplankton
Students discuss the importance of plankton in the ocean ecosystem. For this biology lesson, students identify the different types plankton by observing them under the microscope. They explain how plankton population affect global climate.
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Sharks: Scavenging Stomachs
Students examine the role played by sharks in the marine food chain. They conduct a scavenger hunt collecting items that have actually been removed from the stomachs of sharks, and create a display that includes the items and newspaper...
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The Effects of Temperature Variations on the Heartbeat Rate of Daphnia
Students use DigiScope technology to investigate Daphinia, popularly known as water fleas. They design, conduct, and report on an experiment to determine the effects of varying water temperatures on the heartbeat rate of Daphnia.
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Water, Water Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink
Students discuss the importance of taking care of their water supply so not only they can use it but generations in the future. In groups, they examine a real pollution scenario in which a sewer overflowed into the ground water. They use...
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What's in the Water?
Students make a water sampler and use proper techniques to collect water.They write a essay explaining the inter-relationship of factors such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and phosphates in a lake that might cause a...
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A Model Estuary
Students assemble a poster of an estuary showing the five communities of animals and plants that inhabit the estuary. They research the concept of an estuary and find photographs or diagrams of various estuaries to identify and see the...
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Trout Are Made of Trees Crayon Mural
Students recognize that for a trout habitat to be ideal, several components must be present. In this trout lesson, students explore what makes a healthy stream. Students create paintings for a mural of a trout habitat....
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Oh Deer!
Young scholars discuss the components necessary to keep animal populations alive . Then they participate in a game where they interact as deer, food, water, and shelter. The activity demonstrates that nature is not static, but changes...
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Water Currents
Middle schoolers demonstrate how ocean currents are influenced by changes in density. They discover that temperature and salintiy affect density as well. They participate in a short experiment to end the lesson.
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Water Pollution
Fifth graders investigate how humans pollute the water supply with a number of different contaminates. While working in small groups they examine screening, sedimentation, filtration, and chemical treatments as methods of water treatment.
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Adaptations-What a Concept
Learners study the pink river dolphin and how it has adapted to its environment. In this adaptations lesson students construct a map that represents certain relationships.
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Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Resources
Fifth graders identify renewable vs. non-renewable resources and comprehend why conservation of resources is important. They are asked what they think the words natural and resource mean. Pupils then put the words together to define...