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Water and Ice
Students explore the states of water. In this water states lesson, students observe ice over time and the changes that take place. Students read a related text and draw their observations in a journal entry. Students discuss the...
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Heavy Breathing
Students investigate asthma and air quality, and then map or graph the incidence of asthma by county and air quality information by county in the state of Maryland. They attempt to see any correlations and note any limitations of the data.
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Worm Posters Presentations and Worm Box Part 2
Students work in small groups to investigate the topic, make a visual aid, and present to the class. They are given the following four topics: Worms and other decomposers, taking care of a worm box, waster and recycling, and...
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Volcano
Students research major volcanic eruptions. In this Earth science lesson, students take on the role of vulcanologist writing reports to the President of the United States on how to respond to a volcanic disaster. This lesson includes...
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Are We Falling Apart? Exploding Volcanoes
Pupils explore how volcanoes are formed, list the parts and characteristics of volcanoes, state the differences in various types of lava, and analyze the volume of ejecta from a volcano.
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Funny Putty
Students study that colloids are mixtures which display the properties of more than one of these states.
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Studying with Chemical Compounds
Students create a foldable to help them remember topics on chemical compounds. In this physical science instructional activity, students differentiate ionic and covalent compounds. Given certain compounds, they identify whether it's...
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Diaper Inquiry
Fifth graders carefully examine and investigate the products contained in a diaper. They particularly analyze the crystal sodium polyacrylate, a product developed for use in astronaut diapers. They follow the scientific method, forming...
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Hot Cans and Cold Cans
Students investigate the physics of heating and cooling through conduction, convection, and radiation. Working in groups, they determine the best way to cool a can of water and warm a can of water. Temperature is taken at five minute...
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Water Cycle Activity
Learners build a model and observe the cycle of evaporation and condensation that occurs in the water cycle. They see how the water cycle works, such as water condensing on the side of the jar and drops precipitating into rain that...
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Wonder Underground
Learners classify and record objects they find "underground." In this observation lesson plan, students dig into bins filled with soil and encounter various objects such as bark, twigs, etc. Learners classify their findings.
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Chemical Change in the Kitchen
Students examine chemical changes to food. In this chemical changes lesson, students make foods and observe the changes. The changes are recorded in an observation journal. Students photograph food they make at different stages in the...
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Let's Go To Mexico
Students are able to use the Internet to conduct research. They research Mexican culture and traditions. Students compare and contrast Mexican and U.S. food and clothing. They convert United States currency to Mexican pesos. Students...
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Melting Ice is Hot Stuff!
Fourth graders determine the amount of energy required to melt ice using a calorimeter. They calculate the Molar Heat of Fusion of Ice.
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Alien Invasions!
Learners use video and Internet components, to gain an understanding of non-native invasive plants and animals and the ecological and monetary problems they cause.
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The Mozart Effect
Students develop a concept of why skepticism is important in science by looking at actual scientific studies regarding the effect of playing Mozart's music to infants. They record a journal of their inner thoughts and feelings while...
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Curriculum Connections with Keiko Kasza
Students read books by the author Keiko Kasza and complete critical thinking skills, and connections to different subjects. In this language lesson plan, students connect the books to language arts, social studies, science, math, health,...
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Chemical Changes
Fourth graders examine and identify chemical and physical changes in a variety of substances. They observe a vinegar and baking soda demonstration, and a water, laundry detergent, and Epsom salt mixture demonstration. They discuss the...
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Energy and Control
Seventh graders construct a lunch box that maintains functional temperature zones and does not allow heat transfer between the zones. They examine the transfer of heat, the capacity of certain materials to hold heat, and how the...
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The Scientific Method Using Mystery Powders
Students use the scientific method to determine physical and chemical properties of unknown substances. In this scientific method lesson plan, students discuss chemical and physical properties of substances as a class after a...
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Going, Going, Gone!
Sixth graders use the scientific method to test variables of evaporation. In this evaporation lesson plan, 6th graders test a wet handprint on a paper towel and relate this experiment to weather conditions.
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Heating Curve Lab
Tenth graders examine the heating curve of water when head is added constantly over time. They input values into a calculator as they record water temperature every thirty seconds as it is heated on a hot plate. They complete the...
Channel Islands Film
Human Impact on the Food Web of Santa Cruz Island
What happens when a non-native species is introduced onto an island? Santa Cruz Island, part of the Channel Island chain located off the coast of southern California, provides the perfect laboratory for young environmental scientists to...
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The Path of Pollution
Young scholars name and locate countries where radiation from the Chernobyl accident traveled, describe how air pollution travels from one area to another and list the travel of radiation in chronological order.