Lesson Plan
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What's Down the Well?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine how environmental engineers determine possible sites for drinking water wells. They listen to a teacher led-lecture, and create their own groundwater well model using a coffee can and wire screening, observing...
Lesson Plan
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Hot Air Balloon Design Lesson Plan

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders discuss what they know and what they want to know about hot air balloon using a KWL chart. They then use a wide array of materials to design a hot air balloon that will lift successfully in cooperative groups referring to...
Lesson Plan
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Radioactivity Experiments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the difference between types of ionizing radiation and how elements are transmuted. They determine that radiation is normal and surrounds us. They calculate the amounts of alpha, beta and gamma radiation emitted from a...
Lesson Plan
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Energy Motion in the Ocean

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the wave energy that is generated and transferred in the ocean. Through the use video and the Internet, students explore the aspects of a wave and how its energy affects the ecology of the seashore.
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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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Acceleration, Drag, Gravity, Motion, Forces, and Friction

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders build and run mousetrap cars in order to measure distance, time, and mass for their cars. They use these measurements to calculate average speed and kinetic energy, then create a slide show to visually explain how the car...
Lesson Plan
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Lord of the Rings - A Study of Tree Rings

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students examine trees and discuss how the environment effected the tree. They also predict what the area look like in fifty years.
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Solar Kit Lesson #13 Solarize a Toy

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students work in teams they select a low-power toy, game, or electrical deive to "solarize," or convert to solar power. They determine the operating voltage of their chosen device and design a solar array to provide this level of...
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...
Lesson Plan
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Ozone and Temperature Data Analysis, South Pole Antarctica

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners 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...
Lesson Plan
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Mineral Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students complete a scavenger hunt worksheet as they find examples in their classroom, at home, etc., of minerals. Excellent worksheet!
Lesson Plan
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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.
Lesson Plan
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The Blue Bottle: An Example of Teacher-Guided Inquiry

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners 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.
Lesson Plan
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Improving the HVAC System

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners 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.
Lesson Plan
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Tornadoes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners 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.
Lesson Plan
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Naturral Born Robots: Robots Have Feelings Too

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

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

For Teachers K - 5th
Students 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 record...
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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
Students identify what factors effect global warming and how the greenhouse effect occurs.  In this environmental lesson 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...
Lesson Plan
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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.