Lesson Plan
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Alternative Energy Sources

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students recognize that people have various opinions on the use of renewable energy.In this renewable energy lesson, students research to find the best uses of renewable energy. Students create an original design for a group...
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Fishing

For Teachers K - Higher Ed
Students explore the techniques and basic needs of the fisherman.  In this fishing lesson, students view a demonstration of the use of fishing equipment. Students research Iowa farm ponds and design a class mural from their...
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Break an Egg

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Young scholars research antarctic wildlife and create a diorama and fact sheet to present their research to the class. They create an Antarctic explorer's journal.
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What is a National Forest

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students select and research a National Forest near their local community. They read and discuss the pamphlet "A Guide To Your National Forests," view photos of national forests, conduct Internet research, and complete the student...
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Mining Riches

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research and map how various mining ventures have changed local geographies and populations. First they read the article provided--Examining the Environmental and Social Impact of the Mining Industry.
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Stonehenge: Solving Ancient Mysteries

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore archeologists and anthropologists and the tools and methods they use to gather and interpret scientific evidence. They research current archaeological excavations and contact the scientists working at these digs.
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Taking a Stand: Pros and Cons of Forest Fires

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Learners explain the components of fire, explain how forest fires impact man and the environment, analyze data in order to recognize areas that are at risk for forest fires, make recommendations based on research.
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Debate: Is Cheerleading a Sport?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research how women are perceived in sports. They debate the issue of whether cheer leading should be considered a sport and are scored on student made rubrics.
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100% Recyclable

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders research recycling activities at schools across the country using e-mail. They research the waste management and recycling program at their school and problem solve to create an environmentally sound program for the future.
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A Clone of Your Own: The Legal Issues and the Future of Genetic Engineering on Humans

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders define cloning in their own words and examine the different types of cloning. After reading an article, they summarize it in their own words and use the internet to research the history of cloning. In groups, they...
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Postcards From Mars

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research and explore what life would be like for human colonists on Mars. They explore various websites, read and discuss newspaper articles, develop a chart of the hardships and conditions that would be faced by colonists...
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Give a Hoot About Owls

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students research basic information about owls. They complete a class KWL chart, and conduct research on owls using the Internet and a variety of resource books. Next, they write an owl acrostic poem and a report using their research...
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Human Evolution

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students recognize that achievements of human beings throughout human history can be considered part of the ongoing story of human evolution. They research settings such as the biosphere and Mars and write imaginative short stories using...
Lesson Plan
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Meet One Picky Bird

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students complete a research project  In this endangered species lesson, students use the "Think, Puzzle, Explore" method to learn about endangered species. Students research and write a report on the red-cockaded woodpecker.
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Calculating Population Growth for a Region

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students research population growth of regions of Canada. In this Social Studies lesson, students use included links on the Internet to find information about population growth in areas of Canada. A worksheet for each region is included....
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Go Fly a ( Tetrehedral) Kite!

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students research the tetrahedral kites invented by Alexander Graham Bell. In this components of flight lesson, students examine the kites made by Bell and his team. Students create their own kite and add them together as a class to...
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Presidential Trading Cards

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Learners research the Internet to collect data about the US Presidents. They use the data that they collect along with available technology to produce trading cards and brochures using keyboarding skills, text boxes, acquiring photos,...
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Genetic Ethics Debate

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students select topics relating to bioethical questions which they research and debate. They, in groups, select topics and are given two to three weeks to research their topics, taking advantage of their school libraries and local public...
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Cool! Awesome! What is it?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students work in small groups to brainstorm hypotheses about mysterious science photographs, read and interpret answers to the science photographs, cooperatively develop a set of clues for the images and develop their own science photo...
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Indian Ocean Explored

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine the rich array of marine wildlife that lives in waters surrounding the Indian subcontinent. They explore the relationships among organisms in coral reefs. They explore environmental dangers to coral reefs and research...
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Journalists Under Fire

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine journalism in extreme conditions. In this war-zone journalism activity, students research media coverage of Vietnam, Grenada, the Gulf War, and military actions in Somalia and Kosovo. Students compare coverage in...
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Sense of Place: No River Too Wide-Bridges

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discover the history of their hometown Des Moines River.  In this U.S. Geography lesson students speak with Iowans that tell stories of the settlers and early villages near the Des Moines River.  Students document...
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Monkey See, Monkey Do

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners consider the influence of bullies and map the social ecosystem of their schools. They create lifelines that compare baboon and human development and write an essay that considers the relationship between psychosocial development...
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POLITICS AND RELIGION: Targeting Faith When It Counts

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers research current articles about the influence of religion on the presidential election of 2004.