Lesson Plan
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Analyzing Hurricanes Using Web and Desktop GIS

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze hurricanes. In hurricanes lesson, students use the Internet and GIS to analyze hurricanes. Students view the National Atlas of Maps to discuss the direction hurricanes move. Students study the wind and pressure fields to...
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As the Sun Burns

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils test commercial sunscreens or sunglasses for accuracy of their Sun Protection Factor. They devise a method for testing UV beads with a visual clues which they publish as research. They investigate occupations such as...
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Creating and Analyzing Graphs of Tropospheric Ozone

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Pupils create and analyze graphs using archived atmospheric data to compare the ozone levels of selected regions around the world.
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Pollution - What is It Doing to Us?

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students recognize some forms of pollution. In this science lesson plan, students recognize and understand some of the devastating effects of the acid rains and other possible factors that are contrary to the pH balance of nature.
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Take a Stab!

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners construct an experiment to test the rigidity of compressed air and its strength. In this earth science lesson, students are divided into groups, and by putting their thumb over the end of a straw, use the compressed air strength...
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How Volcanoes Grow

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Pupils study volcanoes including rock fragments, ash, aerosols and gases.  For this volcano lesson students divide into groups and build models of the three major types of volcanoes. 
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Puerto Rican Parrot Paradise

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students investigate the environment of the Puerto Rican Parrot. They visualize the ecosystem with and without information. They conduct research to find information and participate in classroom discussion to demonstrate comprehension of...
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Modeling Estuaries

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students create a model estuary. In this modeling estuaries lesson plan, students identify characteristics and mix water of varying densities. Students form a hypothesis, conduct an experiment, and analyze the results.
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Mars Landing Site

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students, through the use of candy bars at room temperature, explore the problems selecting a landing site on Mars.
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Exploring How Rocks Are Formed

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners examine the three types of rocks. They discover the processes that occur so each type of rock can be formed. They participate in activities to help them see how rocks are formed.
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How Old Is Illinois?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use fossils found in rocks to determine the age of rock in Illinois. They use a chart to identify the fossils and then identify the periods of rock.
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Aerosol Lesson: Volcano Types

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify three types of volcano: cinder cone, composite, and shield.
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Clear Day, Cloudy Day; Weather, Cloud Types and Formations

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore the formation of clouds and different cloud types. Students simulate a cloud formation within a bottle.
Lesson Plan
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Ocean Streams

For Teachers 6th - 9th
The instructions for demonstrating ocean turnover are provided in this resource. You could set this up for your earth science class as part of a lecture on convection currents or as an explanation of how ocean currents form. An animation...
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Geology Rocks

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss information relating to Illinois geology. They examine top mineral resources in Illinois to find detailed information about geodes and where they can be found. Students complete geode lab to explore external structure of...
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How's the Air Up There?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students experiment with soda cans and water to discover why air pressure is greater closer to Earth's surface.
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Geologist and Core Sampling

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders observe a cupcake and attempt to answer each question on the observation page. They write three sentences that explains how a geologist takes core samples of the earth's surface. Students make sketches and write...
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Earth's Valuable Soil

For Teachers K - 4th
Students investigate the concept of how the earth is segmented into different parts. They use an apple as a model to display the different layers. The apple is divided into different fractions by being cut into different size pieces.
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History of Astronomy

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students participate in assessments regarding the history of astronomy. They listen and take notes, draw a time line, draw a solar sytem designed by Ptolemy and create flashcards. They write an essay on Galileo, watch a video, take a...
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Mountain Building

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Teacher prepares four layers of Plasticine stacking layers on top of each other to create a model of how rocks within the earth can be folded creating anticlines and synclines below the surface and mountains and valleys on the surface.
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Water Cycle and Ecosystems

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students explore the water cycle. In this investigative lesson, students examine the water cycle process. They will record their observations and discuss marine and freshwater ecosystems.
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Personal Written Response Activity

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students complete a final written project. In this personal response instructional activity, students respond in a creative way to one of the issues presented in the unit.  Students may choose to create a series of postcards from a...
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Geology Quiz- Common Rocks

For Teachers 4th - 5th
In this earth science quiz worksheet, students attempt to guess the name of the rocks based on the descriptions that are given on the page. They determine the names of 10 rocks that are igneous or sedimentary, and check their work with...
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Energy: Exploring Alternative Forms

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In the study of science, there is always going to be research, data, theories and wonderful new discoveries. I feel that my interest about energy will help me design an adequate unit full of intrigue and discovery. The students should...