Lesson Plan
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Chemistry & The Community

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students complete a Webquest which investigates the chemistry in items such as shampoo. They research the Internet, perform a lab experiment, and write a scientific lab report with their findings. Upon completion of the activities, the...
Lesson Plan
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Ancient Farmers of the Amazon

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read a sample research proposal and create their own. They discover the type of information needed for others to reject or accept the proposal. They practice applying the scientific process to different situations.
Lesson Plan
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What Do Bread and Beer Have in Common?

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students listen to an explanation of yeast cells and how they effect bread and beer. They discuss the ways alcohol affects the human body and participate in an indirect observation about cell respiration in yeast-molasses cultures.
Lesson Plan
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The Big Bang Theory

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students will use scientific reasoning to formulate ideas about the formation of the universe using the Big Bang Theory. The use of critical thinking skills is part of the activity and the foundation of the scientific method will serve...
Lesson Plan
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Making Cents of Density

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners utilize their knowledge of the physical properties of matter such as mass, volume, and density to solve a problem. They utilize the scientific method to solve a problem. Pupils analyze their data to determine whether their...
Lesson Plan
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Strange New Planet

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students simulate different spacecraft missions using materials provided. In this space science lesson, students observe and record a planetary model's features from a distance. They relate this activity to scientists' space exploration...
Lesson Plan
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Plants 'n' Bugs

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders experiment to find if pollinators have color preferences.  In this plant and bug lesson, 2nd graders gather information about how flowers pollinate. Students participate in a pollination experiment using the...
Lesson Plan
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Water Pressure Experiments

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students perform experiments measuring water pressure. They record their observations after poking holes in plastic bottles filled with water with the lids on and then off. They discover the role gravity plays in the water flow.
Lesson Plan
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Myth-try Cards Activity

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Learners read creation myths to learn various cultural explanations for natural phenomena. They select sharks and write myths to explain physical structures, behaviors or roles in ecosystems. They research the animals to provide...
Lesson Plan
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What is the Nature of Science?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine videos of field researach to discover the components of the scientific process. Using forms, they conduct community surveys about the nature of science. They research the extinction of dinosaurs and compare...
Lesson Plan
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Mystery Creek

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders are introduced to the Riparian Ecosystem. They define the following terms: riparian and riparian ecosystem. Students take a trip to the creek, where they make observations about the environment around them. They are...
Lesson Plan
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World Population Activity II: Excel

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students import UNEP World population data/projections from either the World Population Prospects: The 2002 Revision Population Database - UN Population Division or a text file. They graph this data by itself, and then along with...
Lesson Plan
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Recycling!

For Teachers K - 7th
The young scholars recall events from Dr. Seuss' story The Lorax and make connections to environmental issues affecting their lives. They are expected to reflect on the facts of the story and respond verbally stating the inferences they...
Lesson Plan
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Insect Monitoring

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students participate in an interactive lesson using the scientific method to study biodiversity.  In this insect monitoring lesson, students simulate the layers of soil and the insects that would live there. Students design...
Lesson Plan
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Cell Structure and Function

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discuss scientific advances brought about by the Mars Surveyor Space Program which impact on daily life, identify laboratory apparatus like microscopes, slides and coverslips, and use the microscopes to view cells and organisms.
Lesson Plan
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Frost Depth

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Learners explore the concept of frost depth. In this frost depth lesson, students conduct a scientific investigation that requires them to use a frost tube to measure, record, and graph frost depth data.
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Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

Science Pen Pals

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars explore the scientific career of Benjamin Franklin. In this science lesson, students discuss Franklin's correspondence with other scientists and write letters describing Benjamin Franklin's experiments.
Lesson Plan
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Research Ethics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars develop an ability to distinguish between simple error, misconduct and fraud. Students are lead to consider a widening circle of the consequences of misconduct and fraud. They expand their knowledge on the...
Lesson Plan
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Developing Models

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars study the concept of a scientific model and demonstrate climate change models.  In this scientific lesson students design a model using direct and indirect evidence and use it to make hypotheses.
Lesson Plan
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Air Is there

For Teachers K - 5th
Students experiment to observe air and its mass.  In this air lesson, students use the scientific method to complete experiments that demonstrate the properties of air. Students view a video as follow-up.
Lesson Plan
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Sowing Seeds: the Beginning of the Fast Plant Life Cycle

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Young scholars plant seeds, observe and tend plants. They identify major plant parts, how to germinate and troubleshoot problems with plants; and, that plants need water, light, and soil nutrients to thrive. They create a Plant Growth...
Lesson Plan
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The Bending and Bouncing of Light

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate refraction and reflection of light. In this light lesson, students perform 3 activities to observe light interacting with matter by using a flashlight. They explore refraction using a glass of water and reflection...
Lesson Plan
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Food Safety Lab

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students use the scientific method to investigate the role of temperature in microbial growth. In this food preservation lesson, students set up an experiment with fruit in room temperature and in a refrigerator. They record the...
Lesson Plan
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Urban Life: What Lives in Our Schoolyard?

For Teachers K - 7th
Students research living organisms by exploring their school grounds. In this microscopic observation lesson, students gather materials, insects, and objects from their playground and schoolyard and bring them into class. Students...