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Metals and Hydrogen Cars: Chemistry 10-12
Young scholars investigate which metal is best to use as storage material in hydrogen cars. In this chemistry lesson, students differentiate endothermic and exothermic reactions. They write a reflection paragraph about what they learned...
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A Whole New World
Students work in small groups to investigate statistics regarding the solar system and participate in a 'scientific conference'. They explore available information about the extrasolar planet and assess the importance of this...
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Roll with the Punches: Depression Era Machinery
Students construct models of simple and complicated machines with Legos. Then they design an experiment using the scientific method. ESE modifications included.
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Materials And Their Properties
Seventh graders investigate the particulate level of solids, liquids, and gases. They examine how the particle method show the interplay between scientific theories and evidence.
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Three States of Matter
Third graders investigate the three states of matter and the properties of materials as they undergo physical changes.  They identify examples of each type of matter, role-play atoms in solids, liquids, and gases, and conduct an...
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DNA Modeling
Students study DNA and its nucleotides. They manipulate paper nucleotides of DNA and investigate how the molecule is produced. Paper versions of sugars, phosphates, and nitrogen bases included.
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DIY Lava Lamp
Students examine lava lamps and what causes them to work.  In this density lesson students make a lava lamp and write the scientific explanation of what happens.
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Paint Property Experiments
Students identify various kinds of paints by using the scientific method.  In this solvents lesson students collect data and identify paint samples while working in teams.
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Sucking Students into an Understanding of Air Pressure and Vacuums
Students develop and test their ideas about air pressure and vacuums by conducting several investigations into the movement of fluids in tubes.
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My Car Has Potential
Seventh graders investigate how changes in the mass or height of a ramp can affect the change in potential energy.  They discuss the concepts of work and energy, then using the four question strategy, they design an experiment that...
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Let's Rock
Students investigate the property of rocks and how to distinguish among the different types. They explore the hardness of rocks and perform streak tests to determine mineral color. They classify rocks according to their properties.
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Sports Helmets and Impact Testing of Polymers
Students examine the importance of good quality safety gear. In this investigative lesson, students will tests various polymers, collect data, and analyze the data to determine which polymer is best for safety helmets. They will design a...
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Pasta Bridges
Students analyze the correct use of technology as it relates to math and science. In this science lesson, students investigate force and weight as it relates to building an object. They build a bridge and draw conclusion based on the...
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Microbes in Long Island Sound
Students discover the harm and benefits of microbes. In this biology lesson, students explore water, nitrogen and carbon cycles. They investigate the factors affecting bacteria growth.
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The Arizona Hedgehog Cactus: Endangered Species or not?: Biology, Plants
In this instructional activity students will study the: "Classification of Echinocereus triglochidiatus and Geographical Ranges of its Varieties." Students read background material and scientific literature to analyze the cactus...
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Get a Life!
Students read a New York Times article associated with the issue of the decoding for genomes, the creation of life in scientific laboratories and various genetic engineering topics. They present speeches of the pro's and con's of these...
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Cancer Causes
Students explore why people get cancer. They explore human cells by taking a close examine their own. take a small sample of the epithelial cells that line the inside of their mouth. They glimpse how scientists investigate inside cells.
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Sharks in Decline
Students investigate common fishing methods used to capture sharks. They decide why these methods and the shark's reproductive biology are contributing to the quick reduction in the shark population.
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An Eye on Science
Students investigate the human eye and its parts. They read and discuss various books about eyes and sight, draw a rough draft of an eye diagram, and create a final draft of their eye diagram including labeled parts using Kid Pix...
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Volume of Gas
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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Condensation
Learners participate in the scientific process to investigate what happens to water when it evaporates by observing condensation.  In small groups they observe what happens to ice in a cup, and what occurs when they hold a bowl of ice...
National First Ladies' Library
How Do Flowers Get Their Names?
Learners study Carolus Linnaeus and his classification system of plants. They examine the origin of both both common and scientific names of flowers. They speculate how their favorite flowers came to be named and brainstorm about the...
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Photo Scavenger Hunt
Students celebrate Earth Day by applying what they've learned about studying the natural world.  In this Photo Scavenger Hunt lesson plan, students use a digital camera to capture outdoor imagery and to help them understand the...
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Measurement Worksheet
In this measurement worksheet, students fill in a chart with the proper SI units, measurements and symbols. They also practice converting from one metric unit to another. They express numbers in scientific notation.