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Wegener and Plate Tectonics: A Hands-On Lesson

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to and experiment with the basic concepts of plate tectonic theory as well as assess the history of the theory of plate tectonics. They explain and illustrate the basic concepts through diagrams and models of...
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Rocks in our Backyard

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine igneous and sedimentary rocks. They observe and identify geological formations in their community, analyze igneous and sedimentary geological layers using a geological map, and use GPS to locate geological formations.
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The Great Continental Drift Mystery

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students stud the concept of Pangaea by using Wegener's clues to construct a map of the continents joined together. They determine how fossil distribution can be used to enhance the study of continental drift. They locate the...
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Pangaea Puzzle

For Teachers 5th - 11th
Students explore plate tectonics and the formations of the Earth's surface and why maps are distorted.  In this Earth's surface lesson students complete a lab and answer questions. 
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What is a Dry Forest?

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore the importance of the dry forest. In this science lesson, students discuss the history of dry forests and changes that have occurred due to human interaction. Students create a map showing the historical range of the dry...
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Penguins Marching in Your Classroom

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders examine how penguins adapt to their Antarctic environment. Once they locate Antarctica on a map, they describe its characteristics and differences from other continents. After describing how penguins differ from more...
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The Distance Between Us and Them: Sea Floor Spreading in the Atlantic Ocean

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Pupils examine how geologists determine rates of sea floor spreading between two tectonic plates. They apply mathematical concepts such as the calculation and use of velocities and conversion from one set of units to another.
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John Muir in California

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders listen to key events in John Muir's life and plot locations on a California map. They discover that John Muir was an immigrant to California who encountered environmental problems and found solutions.
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Igneous Rock Formation

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders use the computer lab to search for answers to questions on their workshet. They discuss the creation of igneouss rocks and listen as the teacher lectures about lava. Students follow directions to mix a batch of salt dough...
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Meteorology

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study how atmospheric conditions change while naming the things that make the weather change. They investigate the affects of air masses, weather fronts and high/low pressure by looking at weather maps from newspapers.
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Creating a Coastal Area

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students design and lay out a map of a coastal area that includes a bay, an estuary, an ocean entrance, and prime beach lands. They write a plan outlining solutions to the economic problems of their community and present their map and...
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Comparison of Snow Cover on Different Continents

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students use the Live Access Server (LAS) to form maps and a numerical text file of snow cover for each continent on a particular date. They analyze the data for each map and corresponding text file to determine an estimate of snow cover...
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Wild Habitats

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Young scholars research and Illustrate the natural habitats of giraffes and other animals imported into ancient Rome. They draw a map of Europe, North Africa, and West Asia and draw the animals that come from each region in their proper...
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PLATE MOVEMENTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars label three geological maps with continents provided to analyze the relationships between the movement of tectonic plates and the changes in the climate. In small groups, they discuss their findings and form hypotheses...
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Bioregions of California

For Teachers K - 12th
Students map out the bioregions of California by examining the species and environment in different areas of the state. They use information and pictures from a PowerPoint presentation to complete a map handout and play a trivia game.
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Tread Lightly: Our Changing Climate

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the concept of climate change. For this environmental studies lesson, students research Internet and print sources regarding global warming and discuss their research findings as well as their impressions.
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An Uphill Swim

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore the concepts and engineering principles used in a canal lock system and apply those concepts to navigate a boat through a working model of a canal lock waterway.
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Recycling In Japan

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students participate in a lesson that is focused on the concept of recycling. They conduct research to find out about the history of recycling and how it is done in the present day.
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Weather and Climate Around the World

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students explain the difference between climate and weather. They gain concepts of currents and discuss how the currents have an affect on climate and weather. Students gain knowledge of the instruments that meteorologists use to predict...
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How Deep is the Ocean

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students predict and then analyze the layout of the tectonic plates that form the ocean's floor using mapping skills and Inquiry based problem solving, They compare the depth of various regions in the ocean with the geologic age to...
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Too Many Otters

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders investigate the habitat of otters. In this animal science instructional activity, 2nd graders role play the job of wildlife biologists and try to manage the otter population. Students use a map to track their specific...
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What's Goin' Down?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this service learning lesson, students investigate the locations of the world's rain forests and concerns regarding the world's rain forests.
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Facts and Myths about our Solar System

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore popular ideas about the Sun and Moon. In this space science lesson, 6th graders separate commonly accepted details about our solar system into facts and myths. Students research a particular idea and...
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California Biodiversity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine several maps of California exhibiting features such as precipitation, topography, and vegetation. They look for patterns that might be the source of or influence biodiversity in different regions. They pay particular...

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