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Seeds and Similarities
Students use the scientific inquiry method to identify the changes in a plant's life cycle. In groups, they plant different types of plants and use a chart to compare and contrast their growth rates. They share their conclusions with...
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Memorable Ways to Cover the Periodic Table
An exploration of the periodic table can lead to a discussion of the scientific process and the ways that our knowledge of this topic evolves and grows.
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Light Microscopes
Seventh graders study the parts of a light microscope, and its proper use. They identify each part and explain why it is important to know how to use this tool. They practice observing newsprint on a wet mount slide.
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Sow Bug Habitats
High schoolers conduct an experiment to determine what type of environment sow bugs prefer. They use petri dishes with partially wet paper towels to assess whether they prefer wet or dry habitats.
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Geography and Ecology of the Inuit
Middle schoolers examine environment and ecology of the Arctic region, and explore history and traditions of the Inuit.
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Photos from the Past-Grades 5-8
Pupils examine and interpret historic photographs of water use in New Mexico. They match captions to the pictures as to what they think the picture depicts. They research a topic represented by their photograph and write an extended...
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Mapping of the Earth's Past
Students create a scale model time linen of the Earth's 4.6 billion year history. They calculate a scale that can fit on a very long register tape then label each geologic era. They use text books to annotate each era with major geologic...
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Soil Analysis
Students examine zip lock bags of clay, silt, and sand to determine its origin. They rotate through stations to compare different soils and perform oil separation and Tullgren funnel tests.
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Follow Spring's Journey North Recording Highlights of the Season
Learners scan headlines on the Journey North News Updates each day to track the changes that spring brings as it comes to different areas of the United States.
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Landscape Observation: How Portland Has Changed
Learners read The Lorax and discuss how populations change the environment. Using given photos, students use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the Portland of yesterday to present day Portland. They write a comparison paper and...
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Researching the World's Oceans
Students research and compare important features of the oceans based on current data. They examine the globe or map, determine the major oceans of the world, and record their names on the data sheet.
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Create Your Own Investigation
Students design and implement an experiment intended to measure and analyze the air quality of a particular location. They focus on looking for ozone and particulate pollutants.
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It's In the Numbers
High schoolers explore the careers available in the field of oceanography. They discover the difference between a job and a career and the need for a good education. They work together to create a presentation about oceanography.
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Ozone Testing Tools
Young scholars develop an experiment to measure the amounts of ground level ozone present in their area. They collect data, access a related website and compare measurements. They present their findings.
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Survival
Students identify characteristics of Australia, Africa and Antarctica and compare and contrast them to each other. They work together to identify adaptations that animals have used to survive. They also practice classifying animals.
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In Your Own Backyard
Students observe organisms in their habitat and record their observations. They then draw conclusions about the organism's habitat needs and food sources.
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Who Has More?
Learners engage in a lesson that is concerned with the standard of comparing the quantities of whole numbers using different strategies from the concrete to the abstract. They count objects and compare them, use symbols of comparison,...
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Our Solar System to Scale
Students calculate the diameter of planets and their relative distances. In this space science lesson, students discover how small or big the planets are in comparison to each other. Students use cross multiplying fractions to find...
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Water and Ice
Students study the water cycle and states of matter. In this water cycle instructional activity, students observe ice for a period of time and record their observations. Students create a Venn Diagram comparing water in solid form and...
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Stream Flow in Blacks Creek
Learners explore what factors affect the stream flow in a local body of water. They collect data to measure stream flow and discharge and construct a hypothesis concerning the factors affecting stream flow.
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Analyzing Journey North Maps
Students analyze what's happening and interpret why it's happening as the season progresses.
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Meteorology
Seventh graders examine the job of meteorologists. They decide which characteristics of the atmosphere that meteorologists focus on. They use local weather maps from newspapers to predict weather in their area.
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Human Body Intro
Middle schoolers create an "skinny student" model of their own bodies on register tape. In small groups, they record measurements of their bodies then use these measurements to build and decorate the scale models including the positions...
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Image Processing in the Classroom
Twelfth graders determine how scientists study the universe and particular astronomical objects using Internet research, images and NIH software. They work in groups to examine and use imaging software as they study astronomical objects.