Lesson Plan
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Solar System: Let's Take a Trip

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders consider outer space. In this introductory solar system lesson, 3rd graders complete a KWL chart and listen to the story The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System, by Joanna Cole & Bruce Degen. They will contribute...
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Mapping a Refuge

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students record observations gathered while at a national wildlife refuge. In this instructional activity on wildlife refuges, students choose an observation spot and record seasonal changes throughout the year.
Lesson Plan
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Warm and Cold Air

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Pupils examine what happens to air when it is heated or cooled. They conduct an experiment using bottles and balloons, record and discuss their observations, and write a hypothesis.
Lesson Plan
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Beach Zonation

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Learners identify and separate the different zones of the beach by observation. They investigate beach zonation by gathering and comparing sand samples gathered from different areas of the beach.
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Oxygen vs. Air Pressure

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students conduct an experiment to determine if water level is affected by a change in oxygen level or air pressure.
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Air Pressure

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders observe a demonstration experiment showing air pressure. They explain air pressure by completing the worksheet.
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Blowing in the Wind

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students compare hurricanes and tornadoes. They write a paragraph explaining how to prepare for a storm. Students give an oral report. They use weather facts to practice math skills. Students record observations of a storm.
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Where's the Beach?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students use beach profile data to analyze how erosion and sediment transport changed seashore slopes. In this geology lesson plan, students plot the data provided and analyze erosion patterns. They also assess coastal erosion management...
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Polishing the Petoskey

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students polish a Petoskey stone to show how to make an attractive rock display. In this polishing rocks lesson plan, students use sand paper and polishing materials to polish a rock and remove the rock dust. This is to display a nice...
Lesson Plan
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Exploring Climate Change with GIS

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate climatological changes that are occurring to the Earth. In this climate change lesson, students access an assigned web site to view maps and lessons that show how climate change makes a difference to life on Earth.
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Water Cycle

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students answer short answer questions about the water cycle and other cycles. In this water cycle lesson plan, students explore clouds, rain, evaporation, and more.
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Hurricane Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders use Internet and/or library resources to locate and record information about hurricanes on a worksheet..
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Adapted to Fire

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore forest species' adaptations to fire by participating in a scavenger hunt and mapping a burned forest. Students create maps and explore how indigenous species adapted to living with fire.
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Comparative Stream Quality

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine water quality on a nearby stream. They collect water samples and test for various factors, including any contamination from the treatment plant, and present their information in a Powerpoint presentation.
Lesson Plan
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Temperature Variations and Habitability

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students, in groups, evaluate conditions outside the building and inside the classroom using thermometers, barometers, anemometers, etc. They compare interior and exterior conditions. They consider and discuss factors that contribute...
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Rainy Day Hike

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students develop awareness about the water cycles. They identify the watershed in which their school is located. They explain the role the schoolyard plays in the watershed.
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Smog City - Part I

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students apply an interactive smog visualization application, Smog City to see how ozone levels are related to population levels and emissions. They study associated vocabulary and complete a worksheet.
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Mayonnaise Jar Greenhouse

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine the Greenhouse Effect, how it operates and finally allows the student to experiment using a model created in the classroom. They explain how the greenhouse effect affects the Earth.
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Understanding Celsius

For Teachers 4th
Student read both Celsius and Fahrenheit temperatures on thermometers. They covert the temperatures and write poems to show understanding.
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Arsenic Globally

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students, using directed questions, identify five internet resources. They use these resources to identify relevant information by highlighting those sections that address the provided questions. Students present the answers to these...
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To Every Thing There Is A Season...

For Teachers K - 1st
Students use the artwork by Robert Harris to examine the four seasons. In groups, they identify the clothing worn in the artwork and create a dance which resembles the painting. They also practice reading a thermometer and identify...
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Cloud Haiku

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students listen as a haiku is read by the teacher, determining what season is being portrayed in the poem. Students work together as a class and create a model haiku, then complete a worksheet, completing their own poem. Students will...
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Dream! (Part One)

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students share with the class what they want to be when they grow up. As a class, they identify what they want to be for Halloween as well. They are videotaped stating their dream and photographed with their mask. Using the masks, they...
Lesson Plan
Other

Denver Museum of Nature and Science: What's the Weather Like Today? [Pdf]

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Weather is all around us. We can see it, feel it, touch it, hear it, and even taste it. Weather is the condition of the atmosphere with respect to temperature, humidity, wind, and other factors. Some of the many weather conditions...