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Weather's Outer Limits

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students make educated guesses and explain their reasoning and compile, graph, and map weather data. They then study environmental weather extremes on earth and discover that many variables determine climate.
Lesson Plan
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Engineering: Which Roof Is Tops?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners determine regional climates by examining photos of house roofs. They observe teacher-constructed examples of roofs and make predictions as to which style is best for snowy climates. After evaluating the examples, they record...
Lesson Plan
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Biological Sciences

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Young scholars examine biodiversity and interrelatedness concepts.  In this ecology lesson students go on a field trip and fill out a data sheet. 
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Congruent Trianges - Is This Enough Information?

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders determine whether two triangles are congruent and provide an explanation to why they are not. They apply concepts of measurement of angles and collect evidence of congruent angles in the world.
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Environment: Wild Wind Direction

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine the different types of wind patterns. Using common materials, they construct weather vanes to measure and record wind direction over a two-week period. After analyzing the data, they draw conclusions about the...
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Insect Monitoring

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students practice the scientific method in the classroom, either in preparation or as a substitution for real-world field experience. They examine a simulated biodiversity research situation, using a "mini-plot" or sampling square...
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Construct And Test Roofs for Different Climates

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate what types of roofs are appropriate for various types of climates and environments. They discuss and observe different types of roofs and housing, listen to the book "Houses and Homes," select a region, and design...
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Fast Food Survey Using Bar Graphs

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders create a bar graph to pictorically represent the data collected from a survey of students. They use Excel to electronically create the graphs and data tallies. They then interpret their data using sentences to explain.
Lesson Plan
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The Reasons for the Seasons

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders conduct a controlled investigation to determine the length of the sun's shadow on a fixed object (i.e., flagpole, telephone pole, etc.) over a three-day period (one day in the fall, one in the winter, and one in the...
Lesson Plan
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THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students describe the movement of water within the water cycle and identify the states of water as it moves through the water cycle.
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The Ancient Times

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers create a newspaper sharing stories of Cleopatra before her death. They use the internet to research information about her and the time in which she lived. They share their newspaper articles with others.
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Paper Dart Airplane

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students create a paper dart airplane and measure its flight pattern. In this flight instructional activity, students follow the included directions to build their own paper airplane. The students change the aileron configurations to see...
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The Amazing Maud Lewis

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Students investigate cultural art from Canada by reading about Maud Lewis.  In this Canadian history instructional activity, students identify the work of Lewis by visiting her magazine website.  Students identify other heroes...
Lesson Plan
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Wilderness Survival: A Field Practicum

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are provided with hands-on-field testing of authentic applications from principles pertaining to: Psychology A. Develop a positive, can-do attitude with a high degree of self-reliance that is transferable to human interactions...
Lesson Plan
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Wilderness Survival: A Field Practicum

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use hands-on field-testing of authentic application from principles pertaining to: Psychology- A. Develop a positive, can-do attitude with a high degree of self-reliance that is transferable to human interactions outside of the...
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The Study of Urban and Suburban Environments within the Mystic River Watershed

For Teachers 10th - 12th
High school students examine their own water-based environments, within the Mystic Watershed. As the learners engage in inquiry-based, hands-on projects, critical thinking skills and problem-solving, the project will lead them to cross...
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Using Vegetation, Precipitation, and Surface Temperature to Study Climate Zones

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students begin their examination of the climate zones found around the world. Using a software program, they identify the relationship between the vegetation, climate and temperatures of the different zones. They also plot coordinates...
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Principles of Flight: Where are We?

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students explore the concept of topographical maps.  In this topographical map lesson, students discuss how airplanes know where to fly.  Students use topographical maps to simulate a field trip on the computer. 
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Teacher's Plant Collection Guide

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore a variety of guidelines that involve collecting plants in a responsible manner and participate in a plant pressing activity. In this teacher's plant collection guide lesson, students collect data regarding plants,...
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Watershed Tourist

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Learners recognize and categorize different bodies of water. In this watershed and water environments lesson, students "Follow the Water from Brook to Ocean." Learners define the different bodies of water and sort from smallest to...
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Sense of Place: No River Too Wide-Bridges

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discover the history of their hometown Des Moines River.  In this U.S. Geography lesson students speak with Iowans that tell stories of the settlers and early villages near the Des Moines River.  Students document...
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Marine & Aquatic Habitats -- Journey of a Drop of Water Through a Watershed

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners discuss pollution and the steps in the hydrologic cycle. They follow a drop of water through a watershed simulation. They discover the components of a water cleaning system as well.
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A Day in the Park

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders brainstorm a list of criteria for a quality recreation center. They draft a written proposal the center they plan to design. They write to persuade a land developer to hire their company.
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Science and the Scientific Process

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the characteristics of different soil samples. In this physical science lesson, students play the role of forensics solving a crime by matching soil from the suspect's shoes. They formulate a conclusion after testing...