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Learning About Trees

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students identify the parts of a tree. In this earth science lesson, students draw a tree on construction paper and label the parts of the tree.
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Discovering a Law of Space Physics

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students use data collected by an astronomer to determine the relationship between the time it takes the planet to orbit the sun and the average radius of the planet's orbit around the sun. Students use trial and error to find the...
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People and the Physical Environment of Illinois

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students read about the settlement of Illinois from statehood to the present. They categorize different areas of need such as survival, economic and social. Students make a list of ways people used the physical environment in Illinois...
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Natural Selection

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers estimate how many different species of organisms inhabit the Earth. In groups, they match the pictures of embryos at the different stages of development. They compare and contrast animals from the sky, land, and water...
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Earthquake Experiments

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss the effects of earthquakes. In this earth science lesson plan, students create earthquake models and earthquake-proof buildings. They construct their own seismograph.
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Meet Meteorology

For Teachers 4th
Students explore meteorology, discuss Earth's atmosphere, create drawings of the water cycle, create meteorology journals, and role play forecasters. Nine lessons on one page; includes unit test.
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Apples and Apple Activities

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate apples. In this reading comprehension lesson, students read a book about apples then compare and contrast, make graphs, distinguish between fact and fiction and work in groups. Students work in groups...
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Early Explorers

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study early explorers. In this World history lesson, 5th graders draw an outline of a map labeling each part, build geographical features out of dough, and paint each of the land and water features.
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This Land Is Your Land, This Land Is My Land

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners review and evaluate the ways land is covered and used in their local community. They consider the environmental effects of the different types of land use. Students act as community planning engineers to determine where to place...
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Wind Power

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders develop an understanding of how engineers use wind to generate electricity. They will build a model anemometer to better understand and measure wind speed. They discover that engineers design wind turbines that generate...
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Understanding Space Travel

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers study the unique environment of the moon and Mars. In this space science instructional activity, students design a city located in the outer space. They create a computer aided design, models or drawings of their cities...
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Galaxy Mapping

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students research the constellations and discuss their findings. Then they construct their own maps of the galaxy using paper, black paint, aluminum foil, etc. They make a 3-D map of their chosen constellation.
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Predator Protector Game

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students take on the role of an Ocean Adventures expedition volunteer member and are charged with protecting three species of sharks from danger in order to defend the balance of nature in the ecosystem. They play an online game which...
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Trig River

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students calcute distances using trigonometry and angle measurements. They estimate the width of the Trig River, measure it and compare their results with their classmates. They collaborate with a group to research and find the results.
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Insects

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders brainstorm and identify several types of common insects. They play bug bingo, building bugs and an insect tree, observing real insects in the classroom and examining some of the things insects make.
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Rockin? Chalk (Integrating science - make own chalk)

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students use plaster of Paris, talc, and cornstarch to create their own chalk. They hypothesize what mixture of ingredients produce the "best" chalk. Students discuss what they think are the characteristics of the "best" chalk.
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Bacteria Aren't All Bad!

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Teaching students about the diversity of the Bacteria Kingdoms and their importance to humans
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Vectors

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students describe motion by the use of adding vectors to obtain the resultant vector. They comprehend the meaning of a resultant vector. Students identify the difference between the x and y components of vector quantities. Students...
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Funky Fungus

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discuss decomposition, bacteria, fungi and other microscopic organisms. They participate in an experiment to grow fungus on bread. As the fungus colonies grow, students observe them under a microscope to identify and locate...
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Structural Geology Laboratory

For Teachers K - 12th
Learners explore modeling of geologic structures in experiments. They study how compressive and tensile forces produce these structures. The compression makes the flatlying strata shorter and tension make the strata longer.
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Mercury, Venus, and Earth

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars learn information about the planets Mercury, Venus, and Earth by playing a trivia game.
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Rock of Ages

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students use a video, the Internet and hands-on activities to explore how to determine the age of rocks and fossils based on radioactive decay data.
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Alien Pen Pals

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars write a friendly letter to an Alien Pen Pal including details about the planet Earth.
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Community Building

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Pupils build different shapes using sketches. In this geometry lesson, students explore measurements and units as they build and create models of buildings. They use SketchUp to create and manipulate shapes.