Lesson Plan
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The Cantankerous Pathogen

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore what factors influence the spread of infectious diseases. They explain how human manipulation of the environment affects the transmission of diseases.
Lesson Plan
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On the Move

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore different pathways and consequences of pollutant transport via the weather and water cycles. They observe and record weather information and produce their own weather report for the class.
Lesson Plan
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The No Zone of Ozone

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars explore the causes and effects of the Earth's ozone holes through discussion and an interactive simulation. Using gumdrops and toothpicks, they conduct a large-group, interactive ozone depletion model.
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Geometry of Exploration: Eyes Over Mars

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Pupils research how engineers and scientists generate linear and angular measurements with geometry to survey the Earth and Mars. They assess how geometric shapes affect navigation. A surveyor comes to the classroom and explains how he...
Lesson Plan
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Climate Change

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Learners explore environmental care by researching the impact of human beings on our planet. In this climate change lesson plan, students utilize the Internet to read informational text about climate change and the effect it will have on...
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Biosphere

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine the basic biosphere and its components.  In this ecology lesson students complete several experiments including designing a system that is balanced to sustain life.
Lesson Plan
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Daisyworld: Stella Mac or PC

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Young scholars investigate Daisyworld, a very simple planet that has only two species of life on its surface - white and black daisies, and bare ground. They construct a Stella model of Daisyworld and perform guided experiments to...
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A Pre-Treatment Model for Ethanol Production Using a Colorimetric Analysis of Starch Solutions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners recognize the benefits of ethanol and study photosynthesis.  In this ethanol lesson students complete an experiment that shows the procedure that starch can be hydrolyzed by salivary amylase. 
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Twister: The Tornado Story

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine dangerous weather by researching tornadoes.  In this extreme weather lesson, students identify the states included in Tornado Alley.  Students create a virtual tornado using 2 plastic bottles.
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GM Foods: Are They Safe?

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students examine the process for testing GM foods. They research benefits and hazards of a selection of GM foods. They also create images of new labels and marketing for GM foods.
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Comparing Temperature, Pressure, and Humidity

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students investigate data on temperature, pressure, and humidity by downloading information from the ARM Website. Working in groups, they discover how weather impacts life in each of the ARM sites. They record weather data in their...
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The Miracle Fish: Learning to Design an Experiment

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students develop procedures to explore the behavior of fish.  For this scientific experiment lesson students from a hypothesis, write a question, identify different variables and controls in their experiment. 
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Using VNTR Analysis to Identify Guilt at a Crime Scene

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students collect DNA from cheek cells. They compare and contrast the processes of DNA replication and PCR. They discuss how this information can be used to determine guilt at crime scenes.
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Lesson Plan on HIV/AIDS

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine where, why, how and in what conditions HIV/AIDS exists. They examine the deadly impact this virus has had on the world and look at how to prevent the spread at home. The students also develop a greater awareness of the...
Lesson Plan
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Maintaining Plant Genebanks

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the use, costs, and the need for plant gene banks. The rationale for gaining ownership over scientific information and the implications of the developing nations' reliance on biotechnology is explored in this lesson plan.
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Natural Resources: Getting a Fair Share?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the impact of human behavior on key components of the environment, examine how theirn own personal decisions have added to the problem, and explore possible solutions to the current ecological crisis.
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Bats and Hot Dogs

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students identify patterns and relationships from data that is collected and solve variables.  In this investigative lesson students study ocean productivity, the nitrogen cycle and phytoplankton then answer questions.
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Visit the Rainforest

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders define what a tropical rain forest is, what animals and plants exist there and realize how important the tropical rainforests are to life on Earth. They work in pairs to access websites imbedded in this plan to research the...
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CO2: How Much Do You Spew?

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students analyze the energy consumption of a household to see the amount of carbon dioxide they add to the atmosphere each year.  In this energy consumption lesson students calculate carbon emissions and discuss sources of carbon...
Lesson Plan
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Energy Efficiency Ambassadors

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare two products that provide the same function but require different amounts of energy.   In this energy efficiency lesson students research and demonstrate energy efficiency in action and how it applies to...
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Water Quest

For Teachers K - 5th
Students visit the Hydrology Study Site, conduct a visual survey to discover info about local land use and water quality, and document their findings by mapping the water body. They use this investigation to raise questions for further...
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Water Walk

For Teachers K - 5th
Students follow the appropriate sampling protocol and take two measurements of a local water source. These measurements are Transparency and Temperature. This info about local land use and/or water chemistry issues may require further...
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Biochemical Cycles: Recycling Carbon and Nitrogen

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students construct flow diagrams of the carbon and nitrogen cycle processes. They identify sequences in each cycle that are affected by human impact and present their research to the class.
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Who Owns Rights to Pharmacogenetic Information?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students develop an understanding of the rationale of ownership over scientific information. They research commercial applications of DNA sequences. They analyze how to evaluate medical ethics issues.