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The Space Cadet's Laboratory: Using Electromagnetic Energy to Study Astronomy
Young scholars build their own spectrophotometer to study light. In this physics lesson, students explain the dual nature of light. They calculate the angle of incidence and refraction using Snell's law equation.
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Ecosystems
Seventh graders create a closed ecosystem and place it where is it visible to others in the school. They label it with posters describing the interdependence of living things in the ecosystem. They discuss what might happen to the...
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Third Grade Ecuadorian Rainforest
Third graders explore the Ecuadorian Rainforest. In this writing and research lesson students utilize several information sources to learn about the Ecuadorian Rainforest. Students also summarize and paraphrase information learned...
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Designing an Earthquake-resistant Structure
Students attempt to design and build the most stable "earthquke resistant" structure. They create model buildings and test them on a shake table to see which design holds up the best.
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Contour Basics: JAVA Mac/PC
Students explore how to draw contour lines from limited data and extend this knowledge to real data sets. They participate in many opportunities from students to assess their own progress and the exercise is completely online.
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Fossil Fuels (Part II), The Geology of Oil: Topographic Mapping, Crustal Deformation, Rock Porosity, and Environmental Pollution
Students review an interpretation of geologic history and relate it to the formation of oil deposits. They explore and explain factors controlling the porosity and permeability of sediments and sedimentary rocks. Pupils also interpret...
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Determining the Altitude of Iridium Flares
Students examine what iridium flares are and when they occur. In this iridium flare activity students complete an activity to see how far overhead Iridium satellites are.
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Energy Efficient Buildings
Seventh graders create plans for an energy efficient addition to the school. They work in small groups with each group having responsibility for examining one aspect of the problem. They create working diagrams and a model of their...
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Bioethics: Where the Future May Take Us
Learners investigate bioethical issues. In this bioethical issues lesson plan, students research gene cloning, imaging technologies, transplantation, and other bioethical issues. Learners share their finding with their classmate and...
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How can we keep our forests intact and have chocolate too?
Fourth graders recognize the need to sustain crops in the rainforest. In this rainforest lesson plan, 4th graders consider the use of products from the rainforest. Students discuss how people of different points of view decide...
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Bioethics: Where the Future May Take Us
Learners analyze ethical issues related to technology, medicine, and reproduction. In this ethics lesson, students research selected bioethics issues and discuss their risks and benefits. Learners present their research findings to their...
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Positive Futures Fair - Application of Year-Long Content Skills
Students research a problem in the world today.
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Lightning
Students study lightening and the history behind how it was used for electricity. In this electricity lesson students complete several experiments on the invention of the lightning rod.
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Mold
Students explore mold, the different types and the health risks that they pose. In this mycelium lesson students grow different molds and see which type of foods mold the fastest.
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Mushroom
Students identify the different types of mushrooms. In this biology lesson, students explore different mushroom experiments they can do at home. They discuss ways to extend sliced mushrooms' shelf life.
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Simple Machines, Engines and the Environment
Students examine and describe the six main simple machines. In groups, they work with an inclined plane to calculate the ideal and actual mechanical advantages of the plane. Using their results, they must determine the efficiency of the...
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Fertilizers
Learners examine the nutrient makeup in fertilizers. In this plant nutrient lesson students see the effects of common fertilizers on plants.
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Ionocraft Lifter
Students explore the different types of lifters through a series of activities. In this physics lesson, students explain the mechanics involved in the lifter designs. They compare aluminum versus zinc lifters.
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Airplane Propeller
Students examine the different kinds of propellers and their functions. In this airplane activity students build a hand made propeller.
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Photosynthesis and Biomass Growth
Sixth graders examine renewable energy sources such as ethanol. In this photosynthesis and biomes instructional activity students complete a project on farming techniques.
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Lactose & Lactase
Students examine the characteristics of lactose and lactase. In this enzyme lesson students study the lactose in milk and its rate of dissolution.
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What Do Living Things Have In Common?
Students explore the concept of classification. In this classification lesson, students collaborate to create lists of living thing similarities in order to differentiate between living and non-living things. Students create a list of...
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Integrated Pest Management
Young scholars investigate the different methods used in integrated pest management. In this biology instructional activity, students evaluate experiments and case studies on IPM. They discuss the pros and cons of using this method.
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Stomata
Students explore what the stoma does for a plant. In this botany lesson students complete a stomatal peel experiment and measure its densities.