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Deep Impact
How can acknowledging opposing viewpoints reinforce one's argument? Use this New York Times lesson to study consumerism and the environmental impact of new products. After reading the article "Whether a Hummer or a Hybrid, the Big...
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Can Scientists Discover a Limit to Discovery?
Is there anything left to discover? Evaluate opposing sides of the debate regarding whether or not there is a future for scientific discovery. Middle and high schoolers assess quotations from the articles included to evaluate claims and...
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Issues and Opposing Views: Cloning
Learners complete analysis activities to compare and contrast an opposing view point in writing and orally. In this opposing views lesson, students complete research about cloning. Learners make presentations for their view points on the...
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The Human Geonome Project Structured Controversy
High schoolers debate government funding of the Human Genome Project. In this ethics lesson, students use the stuctured controversy framework to research the opposing viewpoints regarding project funding.
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Science as a Source of Social Controversy
High schoolers research the two opposing views and biographical information about Ptolemy and Copernicus in order to be familiar with the societal viewpoints that influenced the thinking of these two scientists. Students role-play...
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Writing about the world's fisheries (Calibrated Peer Review)
Students summarize the findings of the Pew Ocean Commission report "America's Living Oceans," contrast it to an opposing viewpoint, and recommend a fisheries policy based on their understanding. It includes a scoresheet that was created...
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Assigning Roles: Becoming Advisors to Individual Nations and Assembling Country Profiles
Students role play the role of advisors to countries on the issue of global warming. In their groups, they identify the main issues affecting their country along with any opposing viewpoints. They use the internet to research the...
Space Awareness
The Big Meltdown
Explore the world (our world) of melting ice caps. Why are these caps melting? What is the effect of melting ice caps? Dive into the ever-present issue of global warming with a resource that has learners looking at data and participating...
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Goals, Interactions and Outcomes
Learners recognize both sides of a dilemma through use of a Human Interaction Outline. For this Goals, Interactions and Outcome lesson, students create a diagram to show opposing views of fishermen and oil companies. Learners evaluate...
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Cycling Through Controversy
Students research different perspectives and debate environmental issues. They consider different viewpoints when proposing solutions.
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Science of War
Tenth graders, from an environmental perspective, study the pros and cons of war. Distinctions between characteristics of biological, chemical and nuclear threats and the impact of economic development are considered.
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Genetically Modified Organisms
High Schoolers complete a variety of activities as they examine the ethics of (and take a position concerning) genetically modified organisms in the field of agriculture. They complete a PowerPoint demonstration to go along with the unit.
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Innocent or Guilty: A Lab on DNA Gel Electrophoresis
Students use the prelab as an introduction to the importance of DNA fingerprinting- a form of identification that us being accepted by both scientific and leagl experts. They prepare a gel for electrophoresis. DNA fragments, which have...
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How Can Clear of Tress Destroy a Community?
Fifth graders brainstorm the relationship between trees and humans to determine how humans benefit from trees and how they benefit from us. They discuss oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange, soil stablization, animal habitat, shade, medicine...
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The Wetlands
Complete a comparison of the wetlands found in New York and Louisiana. Using various research methods, gather data on the wetlands found in New York and Louisiana, the animals, conditions, etc. Data is used to create a brief report on...
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Ecology - Biodiversity Lab
Studnents examine the degree of biodiversity that exists in one's everyday environment, in order to develop an understanding of how scientists classify organisms and to explain why biodiversity is important for living things.
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Genetically Modified Foods
Students investigate the risks of genetically modified organisms. They examine web site that contain information about GMO's and share the information with other adults.
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Magnetic Levitation Train
Students use the Internet to discover the physics behind Maglev technology. They examine properties of magnets at Canada's Science and Technology museum. They participate in tutorials in which they can observe how different objects work.
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Is All The Hype For The Birds?
Learners discuss the threats and risks involved with the bird flu and whether or not the hype associated with it is justified. They read at least three more articles about the bird flu on their own.
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Noah's Ark, Revisited
Fourth graders do a visual presentation for a specific endangered species.
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The Pros and Cons of Dams
Learners investigate the use of dams on rivers in order to manage water uses in particular the Flathead River and Lake. They make presentations about dam management and write a persuasive paper on the issue. If possible they visit the...
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Biotechnology
Young scholars introduced to the genre of science fiction and the theme of biotechnology within that genre.
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Earth Day
Learners examine evidence on Global Warming and then analyze the impact of their school community on the environment and propose ways to lessen our impact on the environment. They have access to a total of six articles for their...
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Disease Research Project
Ninth graders explore the human body and how disease affects man. After using the internet and other reference materials to complete research, 9th graders write a paper on the cause and effect of a selected disease. In preparation for...