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Observing Bursts from an X-ray Burster
Students study the use of X-ray data to make size and energy estimates of the source and the processes occurring there. They use XTE observations of the object GRO 1744-28 to determine whether bursts occur periodically and the duration...
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Learning From Leaves: Adaptation Scavenger Hunt
Students participate in an adaptation scavenger hunt at. They obtain various plant specimens, and sort the plants based on whether they came from a desert, tropical rainforest, or wetlands.
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Colored H2 Balloon Explosions
Students perform an experiment in which they put different types of salts in a balloon, fill it with hydrogen gas, and ignite it. The electrons in the salt molecules are excited by the heat and release energy in the form of light. ...
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Maximum Power Point
Students investigate how to optimize the power output of a photovoltaic cell using a home-made gnomon stand. They use data collected to create current-voltage and power-voltage curves to determine the "maximum PowerPoint," (MPP) at which...
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Heat Absorption
Young scholars examine how heat moves from substance to another. In this heat absorption instructional activity students identify ways that heat is transferred and analyze data.
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Gamma Ray Bursts
Learners study an article on Gamma Rays. In this investigative lesson students study the energy and wavelengths of gamma rays and the theories behind them.
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Density of Glass Fragments
Young scholars explore how the density of an object is determined and determine what a "physical property" is. They demonstrate how science can be applied to police work.
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Making Community Measurements: Which Plant Part?
Students identify a plant in a given community and make a variety of measurements. They determine how a plant meets its basic needs. In addition to identifying plant parts, they observe seasonal change and compare plants within a community.
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Eco-Logical: A Coastal Logic Problem
Fourth graders study the characteristics of five coastal communities. They use logic cards and matching activities to identify the proper community for plant and animal species.
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Secret Agents of Dissolved Oxygen
Students determine the changes in different types of water in a sealed container over time. They investigate how to measure dissolved oxygen, temperature, and carbon dioxide with calculator or computer probe-ware. Students determine the...
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Observing the Growth Spurt
Students notice a growth spurt in their Brassica plants and closely monitor this growth by measuring their plants and predicting the next day's growth based on the pattern of their data. They also read and highlight the objectives in...
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Making a Battery
Fifth graders make a battery. In this physical science lesson, 5th graders word in pairs make the battery. Students follow 4 steps to create the battery.
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Preventing Lead Poisoning in Children
Students examine the problem of children being poisoned by lead in the United States. After discussing the uses of lead, they brainstorm a list of ways they can be poisoned by the substance. In groups, they discover how they can stay...
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Cumulative Effects Assessment - What if?
Tenth graders discuss natural and human influences that may affect the ecological integrity of national parks. They study the concepts environmental assessments. In groups, they research a park's situation and present their findings at a...
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Ozone Pollution: Smog Alert
Students simulate the development of smog. They discover how it forms naturally in nature. They read news articles about the ozone and pollution. They discuss what they can do to lower the pollution they generate.
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Create a Pathway
Fifth graders build and experiment with electric circuits using easily available materials. They hypothesize what may happen if a part is changed.
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Black Pearls
Students examine where pearls come from and where mollusks are found. They discover how pearls are formed in nature and how they are they made by humans. They use ordinary oyster shells to examine mother of pearl.
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Weather Conditions During the Spring Monarch Migration
High schoolers keep a detailed record of weather patterns during the spring migration of the monarch butterfly. The use of weather reports is used to form a class data sheet. This instructional activity connects to the skills of graphing...
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Designing a Tropical Reserve System
Learners explain the complexity of resource, land use, and conservation decisions.
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What's it Like Inside the Sun?
Students perform experiment in which they model convection as it occurs in our Sun. They also explain that convection acts where the effect of gravity and heat are present (low density fluids can rise and cool, and high density fluids...
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INFRARED OLD FAITHFUL
Learners view video clips and still images of Old Faithful and review the main questions and curiosities regarding Old Faithful. They break into groups and take on the roles of explorers and have come upon this interesting geothermal...
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Soybeans in Space
Students work together to design an experiment that compares and contrasts differnet plant cultivation systems. In groups, they evaluate the results of the experiment to discover if the cultivation system could be used in space. They...
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State Of The Bay
Students investigate the environmental problems that surround the Chesapeake Bay area. They use an environmental handout as a resource that should be supplemented with research. Also students ask specific questions to report findings and...
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Star Quest
Students engage in a lesson plan of using maps in order to find constellations in the night sky. They also conduct research using three constellations. The research is used to create a project to inform others. The teacher also leads the...