Lesson Plan
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Viewing Bateria

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use microscopes to observe E. coli bacateria on prepared slides and in a live culture. They use micro-slide viewers to observe the shapes of various bacteria and the structures within the bacterial cell. Students make an...
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Our Special Planet Earth

For Teachers K
Students explore what is special about our planet. They explore the various climates that are found on the planet Earth. Students create an advertisement to convince people why their favorite environment would be the best place to visit.
Lesson Plan
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Rock Eater

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners examine the effects of acid rain by performing a simulation experiment. They also view the effects of acid rain and erosion on the reservation and record observations in a science log.
Lesson Plan
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Sun Seeking Plants

For Teachers K - 1st
Students investigate the story "The Tiny Seed" by Eric Carle. This story is used to introduce the children to the concept that seeds change and grow into plants when conditions in the environment including temperature, light, water and...
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Animal Adaptation

For Teachers K - 5th
Students begin the lesson by observing animals in their natural habitat. Using the internet, they research the types of adaptations they have gone through to be able to live comfortably in their environment. They observe what they see on...
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Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students become familiar with coal as an energy source and how it is mined.  In this coal lesson, students research the effects of coal mining on the environment. Students discuss the various problems associated with coal mining....
Lesson Plan
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Terraqua Column

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders create a TerrAqua column. In this ecosystems lesson, 6th graders build a TerrAqua column to conduct investigations on how living things impact the ecosystem.
Lesson Plan
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Winogradsky in a Bottle: Beginning a Winogradsky Column

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study changes in the environment using a microscale experiment. In this environmental science activity, students construct a modified "Winogradsky Column" to observe bacteria activities. They record observations and formulate a...
Lesson Plan
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What's That Habitat?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the environment by researching animal characteristics. For this habitat identification lesson, 4th graders utilize paper and crayons to illustrate their own habitats or homes and discuss what it contains that is...
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Twisted Vision

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students investigate the vision adaptations in marine animals in their environments. For this life science lesson, students use polarized filters and make observations.  Students explain how the adaptation of polarized vision is an...
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Bird Beaks

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the relationship between a bird's beak and its ability to find food and survive in a given environment.
Lesson Plan
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Home Sweet Home

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the change in the diversity of animals living in an area before and after development. In order to do this, students need to have access to an area near their school which is undeveloped. A good, "real life" lesson.
Lesson Plan
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N.A.M.I.B. (Namib Animal Mobile of Interesting Birds)

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students investigate the birds of the Namib Desert. They watch and discuss a video, and color and construct a bird mobile of the various birds that live in the Namib Desert.
Lesson Plan
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Nebraska's Wild Weather

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students examine the weather in Nebraska. Using this information, they describe the cause and effect relationships in the environment based on these changes in weather. They write various types of poems with weather themes and share them...
Lesson Plan
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A Tree is an Ecosystem

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students make observations about trees. In this ecosystem lesson plan, students observe and record all living and non living things they find under a tree, look for birds nests, evidence of woodpeckers and take samples such as leafs,...
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Our Treasured Trees

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Young scholars discuss natural resources and renewable resources with trees being considered renewable resources which need special attention. In this Earth science lesson, students write a list of reasons for why it would be good to...
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Habitat Hopscotch

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore animal characteristics by participating in a bat environment game. In this natural habitat lesson, 3rd graders identify the physical anatomy of a bat and discuss their eating and sleeping habits. Students conduct a...
Lesson Plan
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Tropical Treehouse

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students examine the tropical rainforest and issues involving the uses of rainforests. They explore the plants and animals that live in each level of the tropical rainforest. Students examine and discuss a case study involving the rights...
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Researching Local Knowledge Field Trip

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars study the interdependence between living things and their environment.
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Animal Diversity

For Teachers K - 2nd
Pupils use the Animal Diversity E-Sheet to access the Where Can Animals Live? online book.
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Outdoor Education

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars increase their awareness of their natural environment. They engage in activities which emphasize the importance of conservation and create an interest in nature and conserving the natural environment.
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Natural Figures

For Teachers 1st
First graders look for geometrical shapes in nature to help them appreciate the diversity of the natural environment.
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Variations for Survival

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine two related organisms that live in different environments and compare how the physical characteristics of each organism provided it with survival advantages unique to its own environment.
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Create a Soil Aggregate

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Young scholars simulate the conditions which occur in a soil aggregate. They explain how IPM affects the environment. They identify the cast of characteristics to develop their aggregate.