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A DISAPPEARING ACT Astronomy: Do Stars Always Shine?
Students observe why stars are not visible during the day with a classroom demonstration using an index card punched with holes.
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Navigation
Students study the basic methods for finding one's position on Earth. Latitude can be deduced from the height above the horizon of the pole star or of the noontime Sun, while longitude requires an accurate clock giving universal time.
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Global Warming: The Greenhouse Effect Visualizer
Students work in small groups to study the various aspects of global weather and discuss the possibility of a Greenhouse Effect.
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Density Currents
Pupils study how fluids of differing densities interact with one another, how densities of fluids can be changed, and how density currents transport and deposit tremendous amounts of sediment in lakes and in the ocean.
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What is a Tropical Rainforest?
Students investigate amounts of rainfall in selected world rainforests by creating a bar graph showing rainfall in inches for each. They convert inches to millimeters, and solve word problems having to do with rainfall in selected world...
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Fish and Oxygen
Students explore what factors affect population dynamics, identify factors affecting fish populations, and use Stella to model how dissolved oxygen affects fish populations.
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Surface Meteorological Observation System (SMOS)
Students monitor local surface weather conditions for at least 30 days. They interpret the data by graphing it and detemining percentages.
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Glacier Climbing
Students discuss glaciers and the current distribution of glaciers around the Earth. They create simulated glaciers using cornstarch, shoeboxes, water, and pebbles.
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Hectic Hurricanes!
Students determine what they know about hurricane formation. They experiment to explain hurricane formation and track a hurricane that forms in the Caribbean Islands.
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It Won't Budge: Balloon
Eighth graders use the scientific method to discover why a balloon is not inflated.
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FILLING IN THE GAPS - Acquiring and Analyzing Satellite and Ground-Based Data
Students monitor rainfall, compute daily averages, and compare their methods of computation to those used by actual researchers using satellite observations.
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Liquid Crystal IR Detector
Middle schoolers experiment with one method of detecting infrared radiation. They simulate the detection of infrared radiation using a liquid crystal sheet.
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Weather... Or Not
Students observe and discuss the local weather patterns, researching cloud types and weather patterns for cities on the same latitude on the Internet. They record the data for 6-8 weeks on a graph, and make weather predictions for their...
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Will It Rain Today or Tomorrow?
Students examine how to forecast weather. They examine the different types of weather and learn the correct vocabulary.
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Mission Planning: Earth/Mars Comparisons
Students compare and contrast conditions on Mars to those on our own planet, specifically, their local or regional environments. The physical characteristics, the atmosphere, and other astronomical data is considered.
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American Indian Cooking Before 1500
Young scholars read and discuss an article about Native American cooking practices before 1500. In small groups they recreate a recipe for pemmican and sample the results. They discuss how food preparation and ingredients differ from...
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Tracking Weather Over Time
Students gather, analyze and interpret data. They explain scientific inquiry. They plot points on a map and report information from a spatial perspective.
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Chesapeake Bay Population Studies
Young scholars determine how to use a quarter meter quadrant to find population density, relative density, frequency and how to calculate a diversity index while participating in a virtual field trip. They study how to establish a...
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Humanitarian Aid in Iraq
Students research the impact of the Iraqi war on the civilian population in Iraq. They read an article, participate in class discussion and consider efforts that are being made to alleviate difficult conditions.
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Why Are Your "Good Dishes" Called China?
Young scholars link monopoly as a result of geography and technology. They recognize technology as a determinant of economic success. Students recognize cultural diffusion based upon societal wants and needs. They compare and contrast...
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Enzymatic Reaction
Students explore the effect enzymes have on reactions. They demonstrate the process of enzymatic reaction by making cheese. after experimentation, they answer a series of questions.
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Changes Close To Home
Middle schoolers interview the senior citizens in their community. While interviewing them, they identify perceptions they have about the local climate. Using the internet, the compare the results of the interview to those of public...
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Brine Shrimp Survival
Students develop an understanding of how growth and survival of an organism depends on physical conditions. They design an artificial environment in which brine shrimp can thrive. Students determine the optimum salinity for hatching of...
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Brine Shrimp 1: Hatching Brine Shrimp
Students review their prior knowledge on brine shrimp. In groups, they raise a group of brine shrimp and design an artificial environment in which they can live. They change the conditions of the environment to see how the shrimp react...