Lesson Plan
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Fact Finding Safari

For Teachers 4th - 5th
In this fact finding worksheet, students read 10 questions, all pertaining to animals or the environment. Students write the answers to the questions, using Internet research if necessary.
Lesson Plan
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Rock and Roll with Music and Movement

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders improvise music and dance to express their analysis of types of rocks. They discuss the three classes of rocks, list describing words, and create a short musical piece and dance to symbolize the rock they are dancing.
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Using the Very, Very Simple Climate Model in the Classroom

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students study the relationship between the average global temperature and carbon dioxide emissions.  In this weather instructional activity students develop a test scenario using a model then read and interpret graphs of data. 
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Trouble in the Troposphere

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students Use data sets from MY NASA DATA to produce graphs comparing monthly and yearly ozone averages of several U.S. cities. They analyze and evaluate the data and predict trends based on the data. In addition, they discuss and...
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Build An Earthquake City

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers work together to build an earthquake city. They simulate the shaking during an earthquake to discover if their structure is built well enough. They discover how engineers complete these types of tests to develop better...
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Mapping a Temperature Field

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars measure and graph temperatures. In this temperature field instructional activity students use a map to measure and plot field values and construct isolines and interpret the results.
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Living in a Watershed

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine watersheds. In this ecosystem lesson, 4th graders discover what a watershed is and identify the local watershed they live in. Students investigate the attributes of a watershed as well.
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GMOs: Should We Grow Them?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the ethics of biotechnology and genetically modifying various organisms. They complete various activities and labs on GMOs and then write a position paper regarding their individual opinions on the subject.
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We All Need Trees

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students complete a guessing game. In this tree products instructional activity, students view various household items and try to determine if they were made from trees. They discuss their findings and then read books about trees.
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The Doctrine of Signatures

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students use the graphing calculator and the core equation: y=Ax^2+Bx+C where A = the acceleration of gravity/2, B = the initial velocity, and C = initial height above ground to graph parabolas for Earth and Mars. They experiment with...
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Indiana Ice Investigations

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders create a model of the formation of Indiana by glaciers. Working in groups with appropriate materials, they create a model documenting how glaciers moved through the land and formed the geological structure and land masses...
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Earthquake!

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students gain an understanding of earthquakes. They examine vocabulary associated with earthquakes, how earthquakes happen, and preventive measures taken to diminish damage or harm in the event that an earthquake should happen.
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Create a Cloud in a Bottle

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the conditions needed for cloud formation and explore how pressure and temperature effect cloud formation.  In this atmospheric pressure lesson students complete a lab on cloud formation. 
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The Fault Line

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students use cardboard models of the North American and Pacific plates and sand to investigate what happens when there is an earthquake or movement along the boundaries of the plates.
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Volcanoes And Atmospheres

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the volcano as the primary source of atmospheric gases, to explain the formation of ozone, and to recognize the dangers of volcanic gases through the use of technology in the classroom.
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Soil Formation

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders investigate how soil is formed. They analyze types of soil samples, examine soil using a magnifying glass or microscope, complete a chart, conduct a soil and plant experiment, and construct a soil profile.
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Astronomy

For Teachers 3rd
Students complete a unit of lessons on our solar system, its stars, and astronomers. They record information in a space journal, design constellations, define key vocabulary, observe the phases of the moon, and create a group planet...
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What's the Connection Between Convection and Inversion?

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders observe a simulation demonstrating the difference between convection and inversion. They explain where and when convection and inversion layers occur and how each impacts air quality, and by connection, human health.
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Plates on the Move

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners explore how Africa appears to be tearing apart from Asia and tha the other continents are moving and oceans are changing size.
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Solar System

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders create planet mobiles in order to reinforce concepts such as planet size, position in relation to the sun, and planet names.
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Four Seasons

For Teachers 1st
First graders examine and describe the characteristics of the four seasons. Using a computer, they write one sentence about each of the four seasons and draws an illustration to accompany it. They present each drawing and sentence to the...
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Charting Diversity

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students organize different species of plans and animals according to various characteristics. Students then determine what characteristics enable them to survive in their habitat. Game ideas and activities are included.
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Creating Station Models

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students work in groups to interpret weather maps. They use latitude and longitude readings to complete a worksheet together and turn in the worksheet along with the maps and a rubric.
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Oceanography

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders define new vocabulary associated with oceanography. They locate and label the four oceans. They also identify features of the ocean floor.