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A Survey of Plankton Communities
In this biology worksheet, learners identify and define the vocabulary terms listed and make a prediction about the outcomes of the experiment. Then they complete the chart of the observations of the plankton diversity in drops of pond...
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Blood Circulation Lab
Students investigate blood moving in the fin of a fish. In this blood circulation instructional activity, students use a goldfish wrapped in water soaked absorbent cotton, placed in a large petri dish, then placed until a lighted...
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Brine Shrimp Life Cycle
Third graders examine brine shrimp through "A Sea Monkey's Life" story. They study the living environments and life cycle of brine shrimp. They look at brine shrimp and cysts through a microscope, identifying new vocabulary that was...
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Classification of an Invertebrate: Sponge
Students investigate the invertebrate sponge. In this invertebrates lesson plan, students observe the sponge, Grantia, using a dissecting microscope. Students answer questions about their observations and view six other invertebrates....
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Particulate Matter
Seventh graders examine the different types of pollutants. In this environmental science lesson, 7th graders observe particulate matter under a microscope. They explain how these can affect once health when breathed in large quantities...
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Transportation in Plants
Students investigate how plants transport water and nutrients through the plant. For this transportation in plants lesson plan, students use glass tubing, celery stalks, food coloring and leaves from plants to observe adhesion and...
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Biodiversity of Ponds
Learners study the biodiversity in pond water. In this biodiversity lesson plan, students observe 3 samples of pond water using a pond water identification sheet. They record their findings and identify the organisms they find, the...
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Eutrophication Experiments
Observe two different water samples and write down observations. Write a paragraph which predicts the relative amounts of nutrients, nitrates, and phosphates in the water samples. Compare water samples under a microscope.
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Phytoplankton and Ocean Color
Fifth graders identify function of phytoplankton in the biospere by conducting experiments and simulations and reading for information. They detect the presence of phytoplankton in bodies of water by examining ocean in satellite images...
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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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The Effects of Temperature Variations on the Heartbeat Rate of Daphnia
Students use DigiScope technology to investigate Daphinia, popularly known as water fleas. They design, conduct, and report on an experiment to determine the effects of varying water temperatures on the heartbeat rate of Daphnia.
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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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Microbiology Lesson
Learners collect water samples and use a microscope to find bacteria in the samples. They categorize the different bacteria they find, determine the number of colonies there are, and predict how the bacteria levels might affect animals...
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Flower Power
Students explore the parts of flowers and how they reproduce. They dissect flowers and observe the reproductive organs. Students observe anthers and ovaries of Tiger Lilies under a microscope. They investigate how insects and other...
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Plants: Scattering Seeds
Students collect and microscopically examine seeds from the school yard and neighborhood. In small groups, they draw and discuss the shapes of the seeds to determine each plant's method of dispersal. they also test two types of seeds...
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Why is a salt marsh important?
Young scholars discuss the salt marsh. They define the following terms: habitat, water, land and air. Students work in small groups. They are asked why are they going to a salt marsh? Young scholars discuss whose habitat is it at the...
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My Mind is a Blank: Cellular Functions
In this my mind is a blank instructional activity, fill in each blank with vocabulary terms that are related to cellular functions. Students also answer questions regarding the microscope.
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The Shape of Things
Sixth graders read and discuss information regarding the shape and attributes of an eggshell. In this shape of things lesson plan, 6th graders gather relevant information that pertains to the incubation and formation of an...
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Microbial Influence on Earth's Systems
Students identify the different biogeochemical cycles on Earth. In this biology lesson, students observe microbes under a microscope. They compare and contrast respiration and photosynthesis.
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What Are the Layers of the Rain Forest?
Students investigate the different levels of the rain forest by comparing it to an apartment. In this ecology lesson plan, students practice using forest related vocabulary words and complete a vocabulary data sheet. Students...
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Observing Osmosis
Students investigate osmosis using egg cells with the shells removed. In this osmosis lesson plan, students remove the shell of an egg by letting it soak in vinegar for two days. They take measurements and observe the cell. They soak the...
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Electrophoresis Analogy
Learners use and listen to analogies to help them become familiar with electrophoresis. One example is: Imagine a huge swimming pool full of water and many entangled nets (this is the agarose gel). A dump truck comes along and dumps...
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Properties of Salt
Students see how the properties of salt affect the color of flame, the flow of electricity, and the freezing temperature of water. They identify salt and sugar crystals under a microscope and discuss various practical uses of salt.
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Viewing Bateria
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...