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Persistence Forecasting
Learners study weather forecasting. In this weather instructional activity, students explore forecasting weather methods and do a forecast. Learners study weather reports and discuss the elements of a forecast. Students study the method...
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Clouds and Your Imagination
Learners study and illustrate clouds. In this cloud study lesson, students study clouds and then illustrate what they see. Learners use their imaginations to interpret images from the cloud picture they drew.
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The Compost Bucket
Learners recognize that plants and soils have a close relationship. They view a photo essay on the common practice and natural process of composting. Afterwards, they observe the process of plant decay over the course of several days.
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Shedding Light on the Weather with Relative Humidity
Learners study weather using a graphing calculator in this lesson. They collect data for temperature and relative humidity for every hour over a day from the newspaper, then place the data in their handheld calculator and examine it for...
Michigan Sea Grant
Environmental Decision Making
Pupils participate in a board game activity in which landing on a space called "Decision Card" presents them with a land-use situation to consider and decide how to act. In order to advance in Hydropoly, players must think critically and...
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How Does the Loss of Ozone Affect Our Climate
Students explore the greenhouse effect and what it does to the environment. They discuss if and how human behavior contributes to global warming and test natural materials for carbon content.
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soil, Water, and Plants
Students examine the relationship between water retention and plant growth by conducting two experiments. They first compare the water retention qualities of clay, sand and loam soil types. Then they use the data from the first...
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Let the Sun Shine!
Students investigate how the sun can be used for energy. They read a handout, discuss the pros and cons of passive solar building design, develop flashcard questions, and identify jobs that can be helped by solar energy.
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Aquifer Model
Learners, after researching and brainstorming about aquifers and locating aquifer maps of Texas, participate in the building of a model of an aquifer complete with a pumping station. They also answer a variety of questions at the...
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Designing a Study
Students explore features to consider when designing a scientific study. For this science research lesson, students examine different methods of data collection and consider which method would be appropriate for determining how many...
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A Trip To Outer Space: Planet Exchange
Students examine the different planets in outer space. Each class studies a different planet and creates a scavenger hunt for the other classes to explore that planet.
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The Water Cycle
Fifth graders investigate evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. They observe a water cycle kit and record their observations, and examine how water condenses on the outside of a cup. Next, they observe an evaporation...
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New Year Celebrations Around the World
Students share their New Year's traditions, then read a news article about how people around the world celebrate the start of a new year. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary...
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Energy Divide
Fourth graders, after viewing a video on "The Future" Fossil Fuel grade, participate in an energy consumption simulation game in order to analyze how consumption, population, and choice of resource affect the availability of future...
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The Water Cycle
Fifth graders identify organisms and processes involved in three cycles: the water cycle, the carbon cycle, and the nitrogen cycle. They produce a pictorial or abstract water cycle, and appropriately place life forms onto an existing...
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Ocean Exhibits
Ninth graders create an ocean museum. They work in partners to create their own exhibit. Each exhibit must have an interactive computer placard containing their information. The exhibits must also have a hands-on component.
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Harvest the Wind
Wind is a natural resource available around the world. Help your pupils appreciate the power and importance of wind by researching wind farms, making pinwheels, and designing windmills.
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Rock Hounds
Students receive a basis for understanding the three main classifications of rock: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. They engage in a hands-on activity designed to give them an appreciation for rocks and minerals.
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Effect Of Technology on the Environment
Fifth graders create their own oil spill to explore the various ways in which technology can have a negative impact on the environment. They discuss the daily use of technology and it's ability to be a positive for some groups and a...
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Weather Instruments
Third graders make predictions about weather and utilize weather instruments and weather reports. They match weather components with weather instruments, and demonstrate how to read a thermometer. Students also construct and use a wind...
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Mohs Hardness Test
Fifth graders listen as they are told about another way to classify rocks; by their hardness. They observe the Mohs Hardness Test overhead, discover how the test works, and then use materials such as pennies, butter knives, nails, and...
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Fossils and our Past (part 1 of 3)
Third graders investigate how some extinct organisms resemble organisms that are still alive today. They watch and discuss the Magic School Bus video about fossils, then create clay fossil imprints, matching the imprints to plaster of...
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Break an Egg
Young scholars research antarctic wildlife and create a diorama and fact sheet to present their research to the class. They create an Antarctic explorer's journal.
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Temperature and Tracking Weather
Fourth graders discuss, describe and track weather by utilizing a variety of measurable quantities as temperature, wind speed, wind direction, cloud conditions and precipitation. They assess, through experiments and practicing, how to...