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Calculating Theoretical & Experimental Probability
Students collect data by conducting a survey of fellow classmates. They investigate the relationship between estimates obtained from samples and theoretical probabilities. Answer keys included.
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Balloon Rocket
Learners observe a balloon rocket and how it relates to Newton's Third Law of Motion. In this balloon rocket lesson plan, students make a balloon rocket out of balloons, clothespins, straw, fishing line, and duct tape.
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Introduction to Scientific Methods
Sixth graders distinguish between an observation and an inference distinguish between quantitative and qualitative observations of a scientific experiment. They record and organize data collected during an experiment.
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Layering the Air
Students study the layer of the atmosphere. In this lesson on the atmosphere, students discuss the composition of the air around us and how the atmosphere was formed. Students create a scale model of the layers of the atmosphere.
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Is It There?
Students participate in a instructional activity designed to illustrate these concepts using simple materials. They use Science process skills to observe, measure, predict, make inferences, and communicate while completing the activity....
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Balsa Wood Airplane Flight and Speed Correlation
Ninth graders calculate the average speed of their balsa wood airplane. In this physics lesson, 9th graders build their own airplane and make necessary modifications to to make it fly straight. They interpret distance and time graph...
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Supermarket Smarts
Students examine how a consumer can make informed choices. They visit stores with a prepared shopping list, record the prices on a spreadsheet, create graphs, and create a Powerpoint presentation comparing the total cost of stores and a...
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Marshland Wonders
Students review the characteristics of wetlands and list their benefits. After viewing short videos, they identify the organims that make their home in wetlands and how they have adapted. They compare and contrast the characteristics...
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Fingerprints
Students analyze their fingerprints. In this fingerprint lesson, students make prints and observe the patterns for arches, loops, and whorls. They write a brief autobiography about themselves titled "I'm Thumbody."
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The Seasonal Round and The Cycle of Life
Fourth graders are introduced to the concept of the seasonal round and how folklife traditions vary from season to season. They begin charting dates of personal interest on seasonal round calendars by starting with birthdays. Students...
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Using Newsprint as a UV Detector
Students investigate the effects of UV radiation. In this earth science lesson plan, students explain how the time of day relate to UV abundance on Earth. They determine if weather affects the amount of UV that Earth receives.
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Keep It Cool
Students complete a science experiment to study insulation, heat transfer, and permafrost. For this permafrost study lesson, students design and test a soda insulator. Students graph their class data and discuss the results. Students...
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Climate Comparison
Students explore climate regions. For this climate lesson, students examine the climate regions of Alaska as well as the state of Hawaii. Students research selected Internet sources to gather information regarding the climates present in...
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Permafrost
Students use a thermometer to analyze soil temperature data to determine which soil sample is normal, and which one is permafrost. In this permafrost lesson plan, students participate in a hands on activity where they identify the active...
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Innovations That Stand the Test of Time
Young scholars create a class presentation that explains the value of an innovation to society. In this design innovation lesson, students discuss relationships among math, science, technology, and engineering, read a story about design...
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Tallest Stack Wins
Young scholars build a stack of pennies as tall as possible, recording the number of pennies they are able to stack before the tower falls. Then, sharing answers, they determine the average number of pennies that could be stacked.
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Fossil Fuels and Its Effects On The World
Middle schoolers explore the effects of a declining fossil fuel system would have on the world. They read the line graph and other information to answer questions about fossil fuels. Students use mathematics to analyze graphical data...
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Choosing the Best Graph
Eighth graders produce and examine two sets of data and create what they believe to be the most appropriate graphs to represent these sets of data. After completing the pre-assessment, they discuss reasons for using each type of graph...
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Box-and-Whisker
Seventh graders are introduced to the concept of box-and-whisker plots. A step-by-step process for creating a box-and-whisker plot is provided. The goal of the instructional activity is that students study the components of a...
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Childhood Obesity
Students identify a question to generate appropriate data and predict results. They distinguish between a total population and a sample and use a variety of methods to collect and record data. Students create classifications and ranges...
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High Exposure
Students interpret data they receive from the media, discuss possible misinterpretation of data from the media and correctly respond to the misconception quiz question.
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Pulse
Students determine a baseline pulse rate then chart the changes in rate with exercise. They describe the changes and develop a rationale for their observations. The task assesses students' abilities to make simple observations, determine...
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Parachutes: Is it Surface Area or Shape?
Students investigate how to make a good parachute. In this physics lesson, students observe the motion of parachutes as it falls and measure the time. They collect data and calculate the average descent time for each canopy shape.
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Missing Macroinvertebrates
Students investigate the concept of a macroinvertebrate. They observe the presence of increases or decreases in population in order to test for factors that contribute to the extinction of a species. Students predict the likelihood of...