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Chemosynthesis for the Classroom
Explorers set up Windogradsky columns with local mud so that they can culture microorganisms. After three and six weeks they make observations of the mud and the organisms growing in it. In this way they observe succession and relate...
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Cell Observation Exercise
Students take measurements of the distance between the objective and the slide when in focus with each objective. They determine the diameter of the field of view at each power in order to determine the size of the cells being observed.
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What to Do with a $20 Bill Besides Spend It
Students explore the concept of anti-counterfeiting measure. For this economics lesson, students use science equipment to discover anti-counterfeiting designs. Students then explore other denominations of bills.
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Secrets of Making Money
Students examine the properties of different materials used to make paper money. They design their own bill and share it with the class. They also watch a video clip and read an article about making money and how it affects the economy.
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Organisms that Glow
In this bioluminescence worksheet, students read about various organisms that glow on land and in the sea. They answer three critical thinking questions after reading about these chemical reactions.
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Mini-Ponds
In this mini pond worksheet, students create a mini-pond ecosystem with soil, water, and plant life. Students let their ecosystem sit for a day and they observe a sample the next day. Students identify all the pond water microorganisms...
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Micro-Ecosystems
Students create a sustainable, self-contained ecosystem in a ten-gallon aquarium.
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A Distant View
Students investigate the essential concepts of how lenses work to magnify vision, and then build simple telescopes to demonstrate their understanding. They write a description of how their telescope could be improved and how it works.
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Deep Gardens
Learners compare and contrast deep-sea coral reefs with shallow-water coral reefs. In this underwater ecology lesson, students describe three types of coral and explain why scientists are concerned about the future of deep-sea coral.
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Splendid Spores
Students explore fungi. In this fungi instructional activity, students take a slice of bread and leave it outside for a day. Students record their observations of the fungi on the bread the following day.
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Protozoans
Students examine protozoans and their advantages and disadvantages. In this chemistry lesson students explain what a protozoan is then draw and label one.
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Do Medicines Grow on Trees and Plants?
Students study the importance of preserving rainforest. They investigate the uses of rainforest plants for medicinal uses by participating in rainforest immersion activities.
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Mystery Powders
Fifth graders evaluate the physical properties of 5 powders. Each powder is subject to different conditions. They describe each observation as with a chemical change or a physical change.
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Falling Into Leaves
Students investigate why leaves change color. In this chlorophyll lesson, students examine how chlorophyll effects the color changes in leaves. Students take pictures of changing leaves, and create a class quilt showing the changes of...
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Living Organisms as Indicators of Pollutants in Fresh Water Ecosystems
Students observe the effects of pollution on living organisms. For this pollution lesson plan, students observe fresh water Hydra and look at their structures and movement. They place samples of pond and lake water on the Hydra and...
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What's Covering You? and Why?
Learners take a closer look at human skin. In this biology lesson plan, students describe the four functions of the skin as they complete a hands-on activity.
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How do living and non-living structures affect coral reef habitats?
Students create model coral reefs showing surface area and including examples of communities. In this coral reef lesson, students research and explore the functions or benefits from a coral reef. Students design a benthic...
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The Founder of Electromagnetism
Learners identify and study the founder of electromagnetism. In this magnetism lesson students complete several experiments including building a galvanometer.
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Investigating Animals in Soil
Students investigate and observe small animal activity on a plot of land on their school grounds. In small groups they identify the five kingdoms of animals, stake out a small plot of ground, collect samples, record and analyze any data...
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A Piece of Cake: Ocean Communities
Students explain habitats. In this model based lesson students create a model to help describe a habitat that is typical of deep-water. Students will describe how organisms such as coral and sponges add to their habitat.
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What's Down There
Learners write an essay about the coral reefs. In this oceanography lesson, students investigate the reef of Bonaire and compare it to reefs that are not thriving. Learners then explore the differences that contribute to the overall...
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Producers -- Focus on Trees
Students examine the needs of trees and plants. In this forest ecosystem lesson plan students use seedlings to investigate the basic necessities of plants. They discuss the consequences of these basic needs not being met.
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The Great Archeological Dig
Students explore biology by identifying a diagram. In this cell anatomy lesson, students read a story about archeology and conduct a fictitious archeology dig in class in which they search for animal cells. Students define a list of...
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Discovering the Wetlands!
Learners name wetland plant and animal life. In this ecosystem lesson students go birdwatching and interpret native plants through art.