Lesson Plan
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Pendulums on the Moon

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students conduct experiments to determine if length, mass, or starting angle has any effect on the rate of a pendulum's swing. They also conduct an experiment online to determine if gravitational force plays a role in the swing. Groups...
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Ozone and Temperature Data Analysis, South Pole Antarctica

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the layers of the atmosphere, and the history of the ozone hole. They discuss the chemistry of the ozone formation. Students compare seasonal data collected with ozonesondes. They compare Antarctic and Arctic ozone hole...
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Mineral Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners complete a scavenger hunt worksheet as they find examples in their classroom, at home, etc., of minerals. Excellent worksheet!
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Collecting Leaves with Lewis and Clark

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders collect data on leaves collected, observe different species of leaves, and implement different methods of leaf preservation.
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The Blue Bottle: An Example of Teacher-Guided Inquiry

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students observe a demonstration in which a bottle containing a colorless solution is mixed, turns blue, then becomes colorless again. They record observations, form and discuss hypotheses, and draw a conclusion based on the evidence.
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Improving the HVAC System

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students describe the components of an HVAC system and determine which factors influence how efficient the system can be. They work together to develop hypotheses about the systems and their cost effectiveness and efficiency.
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Tornadoes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the characteristics of a tornado. They practice using new vocabulary and participate in a question and answer session. They use the internet to gather more specific information.
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Naturral Born Robots: Robots Have Feelings Too

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars explore robotics. They design a simple device that simulates a human arm lifting a mass. Students test the strength of their arm. Young scholars discuss artificial intelligence.
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Simple Machines

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students investigate simple machines. In this simple machines instructional activity, students construct two simple machines and describe what they do. Students show that simple changes help machines do work with less effort. Students...
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Newton Rocket Car

For Teachers K - 5th
Young scholars observe a demonstration of Newton's third law of motion using a small wooden car. They discuss Newton's third law of motion and what happens to motion if the mass or acceleration is increased, construct their car, and...
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TE Activity: You're in Hot Water

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students study different ways of using solar energy. They design a solar water heater and determine how much water it can heat in a set amount of time. They examine how the heaters work by solar radiation and convection.
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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...
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Glide Away

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students design and construct a gliding aircraft. They use the Internet as a research tool to gain background information about specific flight principles.
Lesson Plan
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Simulating the Greenhouse Effect in a Terrarium

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners identify what factors effect global warming and how the greenhouse effect occurs.  In this environmental instructional activity students view videos then complete an experiment using a terrarium to observe greenhouse gas.
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Where Am I: Navigation and Satellites

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the concept of triangulation that is used in navigation satellites and global positioning systems designed by engineers. They determine ways these technologies can help people determine their position or the location of...
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My Wet Robot

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students design an underwater vehicle. In this engineering lesson, students will design an underwater robot that includes specific systems for it to function properly. Each group will present their prototype to the class.
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Where's the Energy

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students research energy conversions. In this energy lesson, students describe the basic operation of a steam engine.  They explain the energy conversions in the steam engine's operation. 
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Parts of a Solar Panel-Part I

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine electrical contacts, solar cells, and rechargeable batteries and compare and contrast the characteristics of a solar cell to a rechargeable battery in a hands-on activity. Students complete a worksheet as they...
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Fred the Fish -- A River Ran Wild

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Students apply cause and effect relationships to water pollution in a stream. In this pollution activity students recognize the importance of clean water in their daily lives. Students accompany "Fred the Fish" as he travels down stream....
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Plants and Animals: Partners in Pollination

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students describe the complementary relationships between pollinators and the plants they pollinate, identify adaptations that flowers have developed to "encourage" pollination, and create and draw their own "designer" flowers.
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Create a Classroom Exhibit: Rocks and Minerals

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students bring in rocks and minerals from home. They observe them and describe them carefully, completing a worksheet. Finally, a classroom exhibit is created.
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Scrambled Eggs Anyone?

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students listen to Nursery Rhymes highlighting GRAVITY, pull ropes during a Rope Pull Activity and even drop eggs from a height during a Gravity Contest. This is a fantastic lesson plan which highly motivates Students!
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Plants and Animals, Partners in Pollination

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students participate in multiple hands-on activities to explore reproduction and pollination. In groups, using a cotton swab and powder, students simulate being pollinators and plants. They name the parts of the flowers and the function...
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Rocks and Minerals

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students bring rocks and minerals from home to investigate in the classroom. In this rocks and minerals lesson plan, students observe all the rocks and minerals brought into the class and answer 7 questions about the features of the...