Lesson Plan
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Classification: Dichotomous Key

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students investigate the classification process and nomenclatures used for classifying organisms. They study dichotomous keys to identify organisms with 90% accuracy. Students organize information regarding the relatedness of species.
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The Case of the "Lost Gorge:

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the case of a map making expedition. In groups, they read a case study on "The Lost Gorge" in the Finger Lakes region of New York state. They examine maps and determine where the error in the map-making occured to end...
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Virtual Nature Walk

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students use the internet to take a virtual nature walk. Identifying animals found in specific forest habitats, they list their characteristics. They research various animals using the internet and create a PowerPoint slideshow with the...
Lesson Plan
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Bernoulli's Principle Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers are introduced Bernoulli's Principle and how it shows the relationship between fluid speed and pressure change. In groups, they participate in experiments in different processes in the industrial world. They share their...
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Investigate Pine Creek!

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students are invited to become detectives in this Web-Integrated Science Environment (WISE) as they explore a local creek, its environment and ongoing status. Students participate in field trips, acquisition of data through water testing...
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The Photoelectric Effect

For Teachers 9th - 12th
After some online instruction, chemistry aces use their creative abilities to produce a poster describing the photoelectric effect and one type of imaging technology that uses electromagnetic radiation. This simple, straightforward...
Lesson Plan
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The Effect of Temperature on Cricket Chirping

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the effect of temperature on how often crickets chirp. In groups, they complete the experiment and answer lab discussion questions. They create a graph of temperatures and the amount of chirps and discuss the results.
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Biomanipulation

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students explore the effects of aquatic trophic relationships on water transparency. They observe and explain the effects of reducing nutrient inputs on agal density on water transparency.
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Water 1: Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students discover the forms water can take. In this hands-on science lesson, students examine how water can change from a solid to a liquid and then back again.
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Redesign the Rover: Mars Research Year-Round

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the solar system, the planets, periods of orbit and revolution.  For this space lesson students discuss the importance of the study of Mars and brainstorm ideas on how NASA might solve its Rover design problem. 
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Planting Rabbit King’s Carrot

For Teachers K - 2nd
Even pirates know not to steal stuff you can make yourself! Read The Pirate's Parrot Stole the King's Carrot to engage your class. Then, plant carrots with your class. If this isn't possible with your kiddos, consider cutting out paper...
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The Wonderful World of Slugs

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Examine a slug? Of course, what else would a 2nd grader do with it? Pupils use clues and go on a slug hunt, read a slug story, or make a cooperative group mural of a slug's habitat. While older learners catalog slugs, go on a slug hunt,...
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Photosynthesis and Respiration

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students comprehend the relationship between plants and animals in an aquatic ecosystem. They predict the effects of low dissolved oxygen on the organisms. Students create microcosms with plants, animals, or both. They determine which...
Lesson Plan
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The Shadow Knows - Creating Shadows

For Teachers K - 1st
Young learners recognize a shadow and witness how shadows occur when light is blocked. They access streamed video, standard video, and websites in order to engage in their study of how light is naturally blocked to create shadows. An...
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Curricular Correlations

For Teachers 5th
Here is a terrific way to teach your oceanographers about the effects that the ocean have on the weather and climate found throughout the world. In it, pupils engage in a science experiment designed to emulate how the ocean affects...
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The Origin of Life: Alternative Views

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore the topics of faith and science as they relate to the origins of life. They consider the major points of Darwin's Theory of Evolution and brainstorm various explanations of how life began. Students investigate different...
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Perspectives on Animals

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Engage your class in a discussion about humane treatment of animals by recognizing the basic rights of all races, religions, classes, etc. Have volunteers stand on a milk crate without shoes until they become uncomfortable as an example...
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Cicada Invasion

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students consider how some animals, periodical cicadas, survive well in a particular environment due to the species' life cycle. They have a discussion about life cycles and how a particular species' life cycle helps it to survive....
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Where Are the Dinosaurs?

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students explore the concept of extinction by studying dinosaurs. In this extinction lesson, students watch dinosaur video clips or complete a puppet finger play about dinosaurs. Students may then complete a dinosaur diorama or a...
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Viruses/Infectious Diseases: What's Really Bugging You?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Middle school life science or health classes listen to an audio, visit websites, read different articles, and participate in a class-wide simulation about the spread of viruses. The lesson doesn't get into the mechanics of how viruses...
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Nervous System

For Teachers 5th Standards
Get to know the body's central nervous system through an engaging game of nervous system telephone. But this isn't your average game of telephone. Here, pupils must find a way to communicate a message to the brain without speaking....
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Walking Magic

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct experiment with water striders by placing the insect in two different solutions and discuss their observations. They discover that weight and surface area are important factors in their experiment.
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How Diverse is That?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
After reviewing biodiversity, learners work in small groups to analyze actual species distribution data. They learn to calculate the Shannon-Weaver diversity index for different communities. Though not particularly engaging, the content...
Lesson Plan
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HIV Prevention

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders engage in critical thinking skills about personal health and safety to prevent the acquiring of the HIV disease. The project is an extension of this thinking designed for students to think about all the different ways...