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Classification
Learners gather and classify samples of a given item (rocks, fossils, seeds, etc.) They discuss various ways of classifying and that there are many different ways that are acceptable.
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Ten Important Hardwoods
Learners discuss ten important Pennsylvania hardwood trees, examine characteristics of each tree species, evaluate economic and ecological importance of hardwood trees, and recognize at least two characteristics of each species.
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How Simple Is Your Rational Expression?
Investigate simplifying rational expressions. Learners define rational expressions, review how numerators and denominators are polynomials and complete several problems using a checklist to ensure they don't skip any steps. Work can be...
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Fractions, Decimals and Percents
Students investigate the differences when using decimals, fractions, and percents. They focus on the process of using them in real problems and how to convert them from one form to another.
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Energy Saving activities Lighting
Eighth graders study how light emits energy. In this energy savings lesson, 8th graders conduct two experiments to find ways to save energy. In one experiment students measure the light in each classroom and make recommendations for...
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Zebrafish as a Model for Muscle Development
Learners explore the steps of protein synthesis in zebrafish. They view video clips to identify the parts of a zebrafish and observe them as they sequence the developmental stages. In groups they identify the muscles and how proteins are...
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CSI Lesson Plans Can Turn Students Into Learning Detectives
Children learn to use the methods of good detection for solving a crime, and even analyzing literature.
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Interpreting Data and Building Hypothesis
Students define the term species, and graph species data together with previously collected data at the National Zoo. They interpret graphed data and recognize patterns in the streamside quadrant versus hillside quadrant. Students use...
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Should Populations in an Ecosystem be Restricted?
Fourth graders experiment to determine how overpopulation effects ecosystems specifically plants. In this ecosystem instructional activity, 4th graders conduct an ecosystems experiment after listening to Claire Daniel's, Ecosystems. They...
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Nutrition in Space
Students compare and contrast the process of dehydration with the processes of freezing and canning. They predict energy sources that may be accessible in the future in different environments such as the moon and planets, most notably Mars.
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Finding Wind Direction
Young scholars identify the wind direction. For this weather lesson, students use a weather vane to find the wind direction. Young scholars complete a worksheet.
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Focus on Friction
The students learn about friction and forces through direct instruction and an investigation. They use measurement skills, observation skills, predicting, and drawing conclusions based on data collected during the investigation. Students...
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Energy Audit
Students examine the level of energy usage on a local and national level. Using the internet, they discover ways to conserve energy every day and how over-consumption of energy negatively affects the environment. In groups, they...
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Kinesin and Exocytosis
Learners design a visualization to illustrate the role of the protein kinesin in exocytosis of a secretory material in a directed manner.
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Building A Sturdy Car
Students build a sturdy Lego car using a motor and a pulley. They determine how sturdy the car is by dropping it from the height of the teacher's knee.
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DNA Isolation
Young scholars use scientific methods to investigate the concept of DNA. They observe the DNA of human cheek cells. This is done with the use of a lab experience. Students record their observations and reflect upon on how each organism...
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Pendulum Lab in 9th Grade Physical Science
Ninth graders conduct experiments to determine what affects the rate of a pendulum's swing. Working in small groups, they identify an independent variable to study and create an experiment to test their hypothesis. When tests are...
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How Far Did They Go?
Students create a map. In this direction and distance instructional activity, students come up with familiar places in the community and calculate the distances from these places to the school. Students create a map that displays these...
NASA
Next Generation Spacecraft - Orion
Emergine space engineers discover the area of complex geometric shapes. They find that, just as a spacecraft is composed of many smaller parts, so can polygons be broken into smaller shapes.
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Seeds and Similarities
Students use the scientific inquiry method to identify the changes in a plant's life cycle. In groups, they plant different types of plants and use a chart to compare and contrast their growth rates. They share their conclusions with...
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Snowfall
Students examine the differences between snow and rain. In this precipitation lesson, students measure one inch of rain and snow to calculate the amount of liquid water. Students use a snowfall "conversion" chart to measure how much...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Alike and Different
Students compare and contrast objects and are introduced to a Venn Diagram. In this alike and different lesson plan, students make observations regarding properties of objects. Students classify object and build ideas about variables....
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Creating Musical Notation
For this creative music activity from Scientific American, young scholars learn about musical notation and then design their own notations. Great web resource links are alsp provided
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Science Fair Projects
Coming up with ideas for Science Fair projects might seem daunting, but there are many lessons that can get students on the right track.