Lesson Plan
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Vermicomposting

For Teachers 1st
First graders investigate composting. In this biology lesson, 1st graders identify ways to use garbage as fertilizer. Students examine soil and compost matter as well as the role of worms in the dirt.
Lesson Plan
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Evolution of the Peppered Moth

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders complete a timeline about the evolution of the peppered moth. In this biology lesson, 7th graders write an essay about how human can affect evolution. They share their essay with the class.
Lesson Plan
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Electronic Components

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students review new terminology and computer circuits and the value of a resistor. They complete three experiments, "Resistance Activities," Transistor Activities,"Diode Activities" and enter data, results and their findings on Student...
Lesson Plan
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Water Resource Engineering

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine solubility and the significance of water.  In this aqueous solution lesson students complete a lab activity on soil profiles.
Lesson Plan
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Wetland Plant Detectives

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders identify plants in the wetlands. For this plant detectives lesson, 6th graders complete a scavenger hunt on a local reserve, record observations, and respond in their journals. 
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Seeds of Wetland Life

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students participate in several activities on seed exploration. In this biology lesson, students classify seeds according to their dispersal method. They explain the different adaptations plant have to disperse their seeds.
Lesson Plan
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Body Voyager

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore the significance of a resting and an active heart rate. In this heart instructional activity students chart data on their pulse and draw a diagram of the heart.
Lesson Plan
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Climate Change Challenge

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students participate in a demonstration in which they role-play polar bears and habitat components to demonstrate the impacts of climate change on the Arctic Ocean ecosystem.
Lesson Plan
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Aquatic Invertebrates

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the impact that human development has on streams.  For this stream sampling lesson students compare macroinvertebrate data and graph it.
Lesson Plan
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Something Fishy - Bioaccumulation of Mercury

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars explore the dangers of eating high levels of mercury and how small amounts of mercury in water accumulate in greater quantities in organisms higher in the food chain. They list the health of effects of high levels of...
Lesson Plan
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Generating Power

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Young scholars construct a working model of a turbine and explain how water generates power. By the end of the lesson, they list the effects of Kingsley Dam on people, plans, and animals -- both positive and negative.
Lesson Plan
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Water Words

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students define words relating to water and its use in Nebraska. They listen to the story, Snail Girl Brings Water, list the water words from the story, and create a class dictionary.
Lesson Plan
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Kinetic Molecular Theory

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze and evaluate evidence that matter is made of tiny particles. They observe a series of phenomena involving solids, liquids, and gases to make inferences about the spacing, interactions and relative kinetic energies of the...
Lesson Plan
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Our Population and Its Impact on the Planet

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students explore environmental problems due to the growing worldwide human population and examine the growth rate. They also discuss possible ways to stabilize population growth and increase sustainable development.
Lesson Plan
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Estuary and Watershed

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate the San Francisco Bay Estuarine Research Reserve and watershed. In this estuary and watershed lesson plan, students complete 4 activities to better understand estuarine systems. They include studying the San...
Lesson Plan
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What's In Our Backyard?

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate the importance of an ecosystem by studying their own backyards.  In this environmental lesson, 8th graders examine a schoolyard or backyard by marking quadrants and recording any animal or plant findings...
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Fable of the Fainting Goat

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore animal life by reading children stories in class. In this goat fable lesson plan, 2nd graders read several books which describe the different myths and folklore about goats. Students identify the needs of living...
Lesson Plan
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My Little Seed House

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore plant life by participating in a germination activity. In this botany lesson plan, 2nd graders read several books about seed germination including Sunflower House and Tiny Seed. Students identify the necessary...
Lesson Plan
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Vermicomposting

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders create an eco-bin and study the habitat of the worm in soil. In this vermicomposting lesson, 2nd graders observe the effects of water ( too much or too little) and other factors on the eco-bin.
Lesson Plan
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From Milk to Cheese and Seed to Shelf

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students learn about food production by making cheese, seeing how a seed gets to a shelf, and discussing food safety. In this food production lesson plan, students complete 3 days worth of activities and learn about food production,...
Lesson Plan
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Finding Your Way On the Farm

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore the food industry by viewing a presentation about farming. In this farming geography lesson, 3rd graders view globes and maps while identifying the prime geographical locations for fertile land. Students view a...
Lesson Plan
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Loco for Cocoa

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders research the history of cocoa. In this cocoa lesson, 3rd graders investigate how the cocoa bean has been traded from one country to another. Students create a timeline and map to track the history of the cocoa bean.
Lesson Plan
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Scientific Method

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Learners explore how to use the scientific method to solve problems.  In this scientific lesson students define terms, apply the method to problems and search the internet and find sites that cover the scientific method.
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Stewardship of Yosemite National Park

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students devise a plan that would be true to John Muir's spirit of stewardship toward Yosemite. They analyze a core map to determine the original plan and usage of the park and compare the original plan to a current park map.