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Acid Rain
Young scholars use real-time weather maps to determine the likelihood of acid rainfall in a region. Students apply their understanding of interaction between weather systems, land and air pollution, to address acid rain and the effects...
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Tanker Spills
Young scholars predict the flow of an oil spill and depict it on a map. They explain the predicted route of the oil spill using knowledge of ocean currents in a short presentation to their peers.
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The Dynamic Earth
Young scholars participate in assessments related to the layers of the Earth. They read chapters of text, answer questions, watch videos, and identify and label continents and oceans on a map. They design posters, create vocabulary...
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Hawaiian Hot Spots
Young scholars describe how plate tectonics contribute to the development of volcanoes. In this earth science lesson, students examine the map of Hawaii and explore the physical and biological environment there. They write a story about...
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Cold Fronts
Students determine its' direction of movement, and list at least five weather conditions associated with the specific front, given animations of several atmospheric variables during a cold front passage. They list at least three weather...
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Exploring National Marine Sanctuaries
Students conduct Internet research of the living organisms in national marine sanctuaries, and the resources protected in the sanctuaries. Students gather information about each of the sanctuaries and make an oral presentation and poster...
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Plate Tectonics
Middle schoolers identify that most of mountain ranges found on all major land masses and in the oceans are external reflections of tectonic movements within the earth. They identify that earthquakes and related phenomena are caused by...
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Biodiversity
Students explore the biodiversity of the national marine sanctuaries. In this science lesson, students view a video about Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary and Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Students work...
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Diary of a Worm Secret Agents
Second graders explore the geography of Washington D.C. and President Bush's hometown of Crawford, Texas. They read the book, Diary of a Worm, determine the best route to go to Texas from Washington D.C., and throw a birthday party for...
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First Nations Contributions
Eleventh graders recognize the contributions made my Indigenous people around the world. In this research skills lesson, 11th graders research native peoples of several countries and create presentations that feature the contributions of...
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Deserts Around the World
Second graders explore the deserts around the world. They use a map and locate America on the map. Students discuss and identify the characteristics of deserts and differentiate the meanings of the word desert and dessert. Students...
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Lights On ! Lights Off! Exploring Human Settlement Patterns
Third graders write informational paragraphs based on the settlement patterns of the United States. In this settlement lesson plan, 3rd graders read about population and how it affects where people settle next.
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How Islands Form
Middle schoolers how islands form, rising water levels, growth of coral, and volcanoes. They complete Island Investigation worksheets after researching island formation on various Internet websites.
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Understanding Climate
Fourth graders create two dioramas out of household materials to compare the influence of various factors that impact climate. Each group discuss how the change in factors influenced the climate, flora, and fauna of their area.
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Travel to Mesoamerica
Students research books, watch movies, and look on the internet to find information on ancient America, Mexico, and Central America. In this Mesoamerica lesson plan, students participate in a social studies unit on North America of the...
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Geography Journey
In this geography worksheet, students use a map of Amtrak train routes (not included) to answer 10 short answer questions. Students describe physical features and landmark cities they would see if traveling by train across the country.
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Nowhere to Run
In this environmental science activity, students explore the different climate change around the world and summarize them. They fill in the table provided.
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How to Work With Time Zones
Students solve time zone problems. In this time zone lesson, students view a time zone map and learn about the 24 time zones. Students are given a worksheet where they compute the time in different areas.
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Phytoplankton
In this phytoplankton worksheet, students read and study online information on plankton blooms to answer 8 short answer questions about the topic.
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Exploring Landforms
Second graders discuss the different types of landforms throughout the world. They pick one and research and present it to the class.
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Car Wash
Students determine the most appropriate site for a car wash, based on each site's soil characteristics (chemical, physical) and topographic features. They perform an experiment to determine the changes to three different soil types when...
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Community Cartography
Students use an inflatable globe which they wrap in plastic wrap. They use a permanent marker and outline the continents, and label major oceans and trace the equator. Students bring heir globes and use their projection for a discussion...
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Making Good Decisions
Students discuss consequences and trade-offs to different scenarios. In this investigative lesson students learn about compromise and discuss possible options and consequences to certain situations.
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Climate Systems - Which Location Is Best For Me?
Students study the difference between weather and climate. In this climate systems lesson students search the Internet for the parts of the Earth's system, gather climate data and complete a challenge scenario.