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Seed Germination
Students explore plants and the scientific method. In this plant growth lesson, students follow the steps in the scientific method to perform a seed germination experiment as a whole class. Students work in a group to create their own...
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Robot Earth
Students construct a simple robotic energy transformer. In this space science lesson, students explain how energy is transformed from one form to another. They identify the different uses of robotic devices.
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How is heat transferred through conduction?
Fifth graders observe different types of conductors.  They answer orally about the conduction of heat energy with 100% accuracy. Students investigate some materials that conduct heat much better than others, and poor conductors can...
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Coral Mania
Students examine deep-sea coral. In this coral lesson, students identify the structure and function of a coral polyp. Students then create a model of a coral polyp.
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Saving the Bay
Students investigate water pollution prevention. In this ecology wastewater lesson, students activate prior knowledge about sewage, then view a video explaining the waste water sewage system used in the San Francisco Bay area. Students...
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Vibrant Volcanoes
Young scholars explore volcanoes. In this science lesson, students discuss the characteristics of volcanoes and view a video segment about a volcano. Young scholars examine plate tectonics.
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Going in Cycles: The Life of an Aluminum Can
Students investigate the manufacture of aluminum cans and consider the energy and resources saved when the cans are made from recycled material. They explore the concept of closed-loop recycling using charts, worksheets and discussion.
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Growing Native Plants From Seed
Second graders plant seeds of native plants. They study the  concepts of native plants, where they grow, how they grow, and  why they are so special. They assess  long term care  monitoring the seedlings as they grow and write the name...
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Everything's Connected
Students explore how trash decomposes. In this ecosystem instructional activity, students discuss new vocabulary words, such as producers and consumers, and think critically to answer how landfills work.
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Create a Cloud in a Bottle
Students examine the earth's atmosphere. For this hands-on science lesson, students follow the outlined steps to create clouds in 2-liter bottles.
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The Hall of Physicist
Students study the history and scientific contributions of Albert Einstein. In this Albert Einstein lesson plan, students learn his history, research his scientific contributions, create a timeline of him and his work, and create a...
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Fabulous Felines: How to Choose the Purrfect Cat
Students investigate the concept of pet care and cats. In this cat lesson plan, students discuss responsibilities for pet care and take a cat quiz. Students discuss where to get their cats and how to care for them. Students may visit an...
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Transpiration
Students interactively explore the term transpiration. In this science/ecology lesson, students discuss what they would do if they were thirsty while conducting research in Brazil. Additionally, students write descriptive words to...
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Build An Island
Students explore erosion. In this science lesson, students build an island and observe the effects of erosion on the island. Students discuss freshwater ecosystems in Hawaii.
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Electromagnetic Wave Spectrum
Fifth graders examine electromagnetic wave spectrum. For this science lesson, 5th graders discuss the aspects of the electromagnetic wave spectrum and complete a worksheet identifying the parts of the spectrum.
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Balance of Nature Pyramid
Students study the concept of food chains and create a physical forest food chain pyramid. In this balance of nature pyramid instructional activity, students identify the ingredients needed on each level of the pyramid then make...
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Information, Please!
Students explore their community recycling program and observe how aluminum cans are processed for recycling.
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Weather Conditions During the Spring Monarch Migration
Students keep detailed weather records during the spring migration of the monarch butterfly. To keep track of the weather, students utilyze weather reports and instuments such as anemometers, compasses, thermometers and rain gauges.
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Weather Conditions During the Fall Monarch Migration
Students keep detailed weather records during the fall migration of the monarch butterfly. They compare weather conditions to the days they do and do not see monarchs. As a class, they graph and analyze data and send it to a university...
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Minimize the Effects of Fire
Students explore environmental safety by reading assigned text in class. For this fires lesson, students discuss the benefits and negative aspects of lighting a fire near a campground. Students list other ways to avoid leaving an impact...
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Observing Brine Shrimp
Students observe brine shrimp eggs, create an appropriate environment for their survival, and observe their growth.
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Rainbow Electrophoresis
Students are introduced to the principles of gel electrophoresis and also provides an opportunity for students to practice loading gels and prpetting.  In this laboratory activity, food color is used to separate into constituent pigments.
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Plant Life Cycle
Fourth graders explore the plant life cycle. They discuss the sequence of events in the life cycle of the plant and illustrate how the life cycle never ends. Students explore the importance of water, sunlight, and nutrients during the...
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Great Gravity, Batman!
Eleventh graders are introduced to the effect of gravity on plant growth.  They describe the major processes and mechanisms by which plants grow, develop, and supply various products, including energy and nutrition, needed by other...