Lesson Plan
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The Robot Fisherman

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine the use of robotic vehicles for fish surveys. In this ocean life instructional activity, students discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using underwater robots and the requirements an underwater robot must meet in...
Lesson Plan
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The Froggy Page

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students investigate the cycle of life by observing tadpoles.  In this biology lesson, students utilize the Internet to read stories, observe pictures, and listen to sounds of frogs.  Students create a poster board collage...
Lesson Plan
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What's the Connection?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain hardground communities in the Gulf of Mexico. In this deep-sea ecosystem lesson plan, students investigate the connection between deep-sea ecosystems and petroleum deposits. They discuss the relationship between...
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Stream Table

For Teachers 3rd - Higher Ed
Learners explore channelization, riparian habitats and soil erosion to find out about  the aquatic habitats in Iowa. In this aquatic habitats lesson, students define important terms and read an article about pollution. ...
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Pleistocene Mammals

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Young scholars research the causes of the extinction of Pleistocene mammals.  In this Pleistocene mammals lesson, students read essays to understand the Pleistocene epoch. Young scholars write an essay about the personal impact of...
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Save Your Breath

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss metabolism. In this metabolism lesson plan, students evaluate evidence form a research report and discuss the basis for hypothetical metabolic adaptations to low-oxygen environments in the anchialine caves.
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Deep Lights

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students investigate materials that emit light. In this deep ocean lesson, students compare and contrast materials that emit light under certain conditions and infer the light-producing process. They explain three ways this evidence is...
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Call to Arms

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore how scientists build robotic arms that move similar to humans. In this robot lesson, students examine how scientists make robots. Students design and construct a mechanical arm that moves like a human arm. Students...
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Meeting an Earthworm

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners inspect the anatomy of earthworms. In this earthworm lesson, students participate in a hands-on experiment as they analyze the structure of earthworms. Learners demonstrate mastery through differentiated products. Lesson...
Lesson Plan
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Reptiles and Amphibians

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore biology by viewing animal videos in class. In this amphibian and reptile lesson plan, 4th graders identify the key differences between reptiles, amphibians and other animal classifications. Students view video...
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Cut-Off Genes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explain the concept of gene sequence analysis. In this gene instructional activity, students draw inferences about phylogenetic similarities of different organisms.
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Identifying an Earthworm

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners navigate the Internet to learn to identify Earthworms. In this taxonomy lesson, students explore species of earthworms finding their characteristics and using photographs to identify the species. Learners research information to...
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Enzymes in Action

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Young scholars explore how enzymes are important in the chemical reactions of all living things.  In this enzymes and catalysts lesson plan students complete an activity to see how enzymes change living things.
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Fishing

For Teachers K - Higher Ed
Students explore the techniques and basic needs of the fisherman.  In this fishing lesson, students view a demonstration of the use of fishing equipment. Students research Iowa farm ponds and design a class mural from their...
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Calling All Owls

For Teachers K - Higher Ed
Learners research various types of owls.  In this owls lesson, students observe owls and discuss their characteristics.  Learners go to an owl habitat and listen for the call of an owl. Students read The Owl in the Shower and...
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Bermuda: Search for Deep Water Caves: Living Fossils

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore relict species. In this anchialine cave lesson, students identify relict species associated with anchialine caves, and explain the importance of preserving anchialine caves and species.
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Schooling Fish

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students make fish models.  In this fish behavior lesson plan, students create lanternfish fishsticks, learn how a school of fish live, eat and swim together, examine the predator-prey relationship, and read the book Swimmy to...
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Reading the River - Biological Classification

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Youngsters create a list of grocery store items and then work together to categorize them as if they were setting up the shelves of the market. Then they are given a box of miscellaneous objects to practice categorizing. With these two...
Lesson Plan
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Your Blooming Pond

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars model a pond system that becomes enriched with nutrients (fertilizer). They manipulate variables, make observations over time, and draw conclusions that may lead to further inquiry. They, in groups, simulate a pond...
Worksheet
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Seashore Life

For Teachers 4th - 5th
In this seashore life worksheet, students identify the animals that live on the seashore. Students then color the animals that live on the seashore. Students also draw and color any additional animals they would see.
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Creating Biodiesel and Mitigating Waste

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Biotechnology pros produce their own biofuel using waste oil and fresh vegetable oil. They test the quality of their product using titration techniques and pH analysis. They write their observations and report their findings. Be aware...
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Animal Coverings

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students compare and contrast the types of coverings found on animals. They identify a wide variety of animals in a museum room. They classify animals based on their coverings as well.
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Bronze: Scientific Inquiry through Chinese Art

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine the use of bronze and porcelain in Chinese art and commerce through in-class activities, role play events, and small-group discussions in this exciting Social Studies/Arts lesson.
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Paper: Scientific Inquiry Through Chinese Art

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students create replicas of Chinese hanging scrolls in an attempt to understand the technology behind the creation and use of paper in Ancient China. This three-day lesson includes enrichment ideas.