Lesson Plan
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Conceptualizing an Experiment

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners work together to design an experiment. They discover the origin of a family artifact. They analyze the data and discuss the results. They determine if the experiment is the best way to find out this type of information.
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Water 1: Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students examine the changes as water goes from solid to liquid. In this states of matter lesson, students observe and record the changes to water as it changes from solid to liquid and back to solid.
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Photovoltaics and Solar Energy

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students experiment with photovoltaic cells and determine the energy use of their appliances. In this renewable energy lesson, students calculate the energy emitted by a photovoltaic cell through an inquiry-based lab. They keep track of...
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Waves Interference

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students identify different wave types and their characteristics.  In this wave instructional activity students complete activities by activating tuning forks and interpreting data. 
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The Solar System: Go Green with the Sun!

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders learn how to use solar power.  In this sun, technology and energy lesson, 3rd graders learn how the solar power from the sun can give off energy, learn about solar panels, discuss their uses and benefits, and design a...
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Twisters

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students differentiate between the terms 'tornado watch' and 'tornado warning' and simulate the conditions that produce tornadoes. They read "Night of the Twisters" by Ivy Ruckman and conduct an experiment using two-liter plastic...
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Sun and Earth

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students explore the sun, its structure, how big it is and how far away it is.  In this solar system lesson plan students complete a lab activity on dew point and weather.
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Destructive Impact of Environment on Artifacts

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers recognize that artifacts are destroyed over time.  In this environmental factors on artifacts lesson, students experiment and observe through the microscope to find the environmental impact on artifacts. ...
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An Activity to Introduce Critical Thinking

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners discover how easy it is to accept oulandish claims by witnessing a fellow student show that they have a form of ESP but is secretly working with the teacher. This demonstrations uses skepticism as a starting point for...
Lesson Plan
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School Lighting Audit Preparation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars work together to develop a school lighting audit plan. They practice using new vocabulary related to an energy audit. They also identify the components of a school lighting audit.
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Take Charge!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students induce an electrical charge on various objects, and experiment with electrical repulsion and attraction. They define related vocabulary, play Bingo and complete a take-home quiz.
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Urban Ecosystems 3: Cities as Population Centers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover that throughout history cities have been centers of population but that human exploitation of fossil fuels was key to the growth of large cities worldwide. They research urban growth through a number of websites.
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A Demonstration of Photo-and Geotaxes in Nauplii of Artemia Salina

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore phototaxis and geotaxis in brine shrimp. In this phototaxis and geotaxis lesson plan, students study the effects of light and gravity on brine shrimp using a test tube, a pen light and gravity. They answer questions...
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Volume of Gas

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate the effect of temperature on the volume of a gas in a closed container. They measure the height of the water in their beaker/container, conduct their experiment, and create a graph to illustrate their data.
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Designing and Building Catapults

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders complete a challenge to create a catapult that projects a marble or other projectile at least one meter. While experimenting they apply the Four Question Strategy to answer the question, " How can I make one modification...
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Acid Rain

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students understand the dynamics of acid rain and its impact on the living and non-living environment. They hypothesize how acid rain affects water pH levels in two lake systems with differing watershed features.
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The Monarch Butterfly Watch

For Teachers 2nd - 12th
Young scholars explore monarch migration through the Journey North web site. In this butterfly lesson, students use the internet to identify a butterfly's migration pattern. Young scholars write in electronic journals.
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Can You Do It?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a simple machine to help with the design of the traditional can opener. In this simple machines lesson plan, students analyze the can opener, and use the design process to solve problems.
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Using the Synoptic Code for the Prediction of Weather

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students interpret the synoptic code. They construct a thermoscreen with an anemometer. Students identify different types of clouds and understand and read barometric pressure. Students predict weather pattern as they apply to fronts.
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State of the Planet's Wildlife

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students view and discuss a video about the challenges facing wildlife on the planet Earth. They define key terms, watch the video, and answer discussion questions about the film.
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Observation and Stimulation of bioluminescence and chemiluminescence

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to chemical reactions, reaction rates, chemiluminescence, fluorescence and bioluminescence. They use glow sticks are used to demonstrate the effect of temperature on the rates of chemical reactions. Pupils recall...
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Why Do Some Birds Have Two Homes When We Have One?

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders study migratory birds in the temperate forest and the tropical rainforest. In this migratory birds lesson, 6th graders participate in different activities that explain patterns  of migration, research patterns of...
Interactive
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Intermediate Electromagnetism and Electromagnetic Induction

For Students 10th - Higher Ed
In this electrical circuit worksheet, students answer a series of 24 open-ended questions about electromagnetism and electromagnetic induction. This worksheet is printable and the answers are revealed online.
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Energy Activities

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students conduct a variety of experiments related to solar energy, heating, cooling, gravity, physical insulation and wind. They consider how the experiments relate to energy and the consumption of energy and then participate in a class...