Lesson Plan
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Taking Action

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Young scholars use the net they make to dip macroinvertebrates at or below the surface. The flat side of the net allows pressure on the substrate so that organisms do not escape under the net. Two students hold onto the handles and...
Lesson Plan
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Redesign the Rover: Mars Research Year-Round

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the solar system, the planets, periods of orbit and revolution.  In this space lesson plan students discuss the importance of the study of Mars and brainstorm ideas on how NASA might solve its Rover design...
Lesson Plan
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Population Biology

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students define the following terms: predation, competition, carrying capacity and population. They can explain the patterns of growth and the limitations of growth. Students explain the difference between density-dependent and...
Lesson Plan
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Composting

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Using 2-liter bottles, junior ecologists create composting tubes in which they place nitrogen-rich and carbon-rich materials. They observe what changes occur over two weeks' time. Provide more specific direction to your class as to what...
Lesson Plan
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The Recycle Alphabet

For Teachers 1st
First graders recognize words associated with recycling. In this environmental lesson, 1st graders go through the alphabet and think of words associated with recycling that start with a letter. Students create a recycling ABC book.
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Flying Too Close to the Sun

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the myth of Icarus and his father and discuss the associated metaphor. They view the work of a number of artists and create a painting depicting the myth.
Lesson Plan
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Rosie the Riveeter and Mary the Munitions Worker

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders study the role that places like the Joliet Arsenal played in how women were view in American society during and after World War II. They interview a person from the World War II era about the job they performed and how...
Lesson Plan
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Recycling-Taking it Easy on the Environment

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners review the garbage/landfill graphs included with the lesson. They discuss the information on the graphs and discuss which garbage products come from their homes. Students collect examples of over packaging to share with class...
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Electrostatics

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine ways positive and negative charges are attracted and repelled by watching teacher demonstrations, and complete activity sheet related to classroom demonstration activities to prove proficiency of knowledge of...
Lesson Plan
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Here Today. . .Gone Tomorrow

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students observe that there are threatened and endangered bird species in Illinois, why they have been given this status and how it relates to endangered species on a worldwide basis. they participate in the Project WILD "Oh, Deer" or...
Worksheet
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Science Review for Grade 5 (5.2)

For Students 5th
In this science review for grade 5 (5.2) worksheet, 5th graders answer 25 earth science questions in a standardized test format, including reading maps and diagrams.
Worksheet
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Interstate Relations

For Students 10th - 12th
Your class might be clear on how the federal government relates to states, but what about how states relate to each other? Challenge your students with this worksheet, which could function as a review activity or as a quiz. Questions...
PPT
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The World's Last Great Wilderness (Antarctica)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
It's a shame that there are no photographs in this presentation because the information is fascinating! Each identically fashioned slide contains bullet points of information about Antarctica that will enhance an earth science...
Lesson Plan
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The Case of Regulation in Cells

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
After your biologists have learned about transcription, translation, and gene regulation, they work in a small group to create a poster of a system that serves as an analogy of the gene regulation process. They share their creations with...
Lesson Plan
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Hoot: Vocabulary: Magic Squares

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Define words with numbers in a fun vocabulary activity. Using words from Hoot by Carl Hiaasen, learners use a grid to match words and their definitions, and to find the magic number that is the same when the numbers are added from...
Lesson Plan
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Iron Fertilization - Pumping Iron

For Teachers 9th - 12th
The theory that adding iron to ocean water may increase phytoplankton ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is examined. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute is monitoring conditions off the California coast to...
Lesson Plan
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Thirsty for Drought Relief

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research a variety of drought-related concerns, acting as part of a 'drought preparedness taskforce.' They propose next steps for the government to take in case of drought and assess the viability of these proposals.
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Light, Sound and Energy

For Teachers 4th - 5th
The students will be given opportunities to work independently and in teacher-directed situations to study and discover the many facets of light and sound, and the uses of energy in our environment. The grade 4 students will learn the...
Lesson Plan
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Frog Dissection

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the anatomy of frogs. They complete a frog dissection to complete an accompanying worksheet which includes questions, diagrams and pictures.
Lesson Plan
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Energetic Energy: A Child?s Guide to Responsible Energy Use

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars explore how energy transforms into heat.  In this energy lesson students create models and find a need for fuel to make a Stirling engine. 
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Photovoltaics and Solar Energy

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students experiment with photovoltaic cells and determine the energy use of their appliances. In this renewable energy lesson, students calculate the energy emitted by a photovoltaic cell through an inquiry-based lab. They keep track of...
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Stewardship of Yosemite National Park

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students devise a plan that would be true to John Muir's spirit of stewardship toward Yosemite. They analyze a core map to determine the original plan and usage of the park and compare the original plan to a current park map.
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Las Maquinas y Nosotros: Machines and Us

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explain the relationship between energy and work. In this technology lesson, 2nd graders describe the different uses of machines in their everyday lives. They record observations and data in their science journal.
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A Statistical Study of Three Biomes

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students collect data from one of three selected biomes. Data are then organized and statistically analyzed. This project engages students of different backgrounds grouped cooperatively in a relevant outdoor hands-on learning experience.