Lesson Plan
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Root, Root, Root for the Nutrients

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students observe the growth of a seed, predict what will happen when seeds are planted without soil, and conduct an experiment using a hydroponics system.
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Journal of the Stars

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students receive balloons representing the "Life Cycle of the Stars." As the attached script is read, students follow the directions for the color of balloon they are given. Students chart the results for their star. They plot data from...
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How Do The Colors of Light Mix?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the mixing of light. They form a hypotheses to reason why color changes occur and they write conclusions and ask new questions arising from the investigation. Students identify the primary and complementary colors of...
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The Survey Says

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars experience the development of statistical data. In groups, they construct a survey questionnaire for a target audience. Students produce the questionnaire, distribute it, collect it, and tabulate the data. Using EXCEL,...
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The Impact

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners see what inventors have to think about when making an invention.  For this inventions lesson students examine Thomas Edison and the light bulb and the history of inventions. 
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Tree Identification

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students list four ways to identify trees. For this tree identification instructional activity, students use tree identification techniques such as leafs, bark, wood grain, soil type, and climate to create tables and graphs.
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How Strong Is It?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the adhesion conditions and surface for using post it notes. In this post it notes lesson plan, students discover the adhesive properties, test the notes for strength, and interpret data and draw conclusions.
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Starch and Sugar Testing 2

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students design and conduct an experiment to determine which of three solutions contain starch or sugar. This task assess students' ability to make simple observations, design simple experiments, utilize indicators, and make generalized...
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Chemical Changes

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders observe two types of interactions in a sealed plastic bag. One bag contains baking soda and water, and the other baking soda and vinegar. They determine what evidence indicates that a chemical change is occurring.
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Changing Rocks

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students shake a box containing Plaster of Paris "rocks", gravel, and sand, to measure the effects of erosion. They work individually during this exercise. This task assesses students' abilities to make simple observations, describe...
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The Fault Line

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students use cardboard models of the North American and Pacific plates and sand to investigate what happens when there is an earthquake or movement along the boundaries of the plates.
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Building Materials

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders are presented with three rocks and a variety of tools and are asked to investigate the properties of the rocks to see which rock is best for building tables and benches for a museum picnic area.
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Peat Pots

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars place a peat pot in water to observe and calculate the rate of capillarity in a model of a soil. This task assesses students' abilities to make simple observations, collect, record, and represent data, use a data table to...
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Biotechnology: An Agricultural Dilemma

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the types of genetically modified crop plants there are and the benefits and risks of such plants. The agricultural needs in developing nations for this biological knowledge to resolve societal issues is also...
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Sorting Rocks

For Teachers K
Students devise a rock word web and sort rocks by applying the categories they discuss.
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Ice Ice Baby! The Design and Preparation of A Reusable Ice Pack

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students explore polymers by designing and preparing an inexpensive and effective reusable ice pack. They develop and test a design for a reusable ice pack in the science lab. Students apply chemical and physical properties of polymers...
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Aluminum Foil Boats

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Pupils design a boat of aluminum foil and calculate the density of the boat. Washers are added to the boat until it sinks. Students then redesign boat to hold more washers and recalculate the new density.
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Blue

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students follow directions for a simple chemical experiment. They use the appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data. Students identify a substance that has characteristic properties, such as density, a...
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Scale Model of the Solar System

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students work in groups of 4-6 for the experiment/activity part of this exercise. Students know that earth is the third planet from the sun in a system that includes the moon, the sun, eight other planets and their moons, and smaller...
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"Hard" Data from Space

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students use satellite images to analyze development patterns within Baltimore City. They prepare a land cover map for Baltimore indicating the prevalence of impervious surfaces and explore how these patterns affect water pollution.
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Water Usage and Conservation

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars investigate water usage at school and at home. They use graphs and tables to evaluate water usage. Students describe possible water conservation measures. They use graphs and tables to relate data as part of a written report.
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Extreme Acceleration

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars explore the concept of acceleration. They determine the acceleration rate of a roller-blader and graph the results.
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Poster Assignment: Sports Chemistry

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders distinguish between chemical and physical properties and changes in matter when given specific examples. They view a video of sports activities. Students chose their favorite sport and design an experiment to improve sports...
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Vitamin C Testing

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils determine which of three beverage samples contains the most vitamin C. They then apply their knowledge to an additional situation. Students use beverages that have a large, definite difference of vitamin C content to facilitate...