Lesson Plan
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Water Reflections:

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students analyze data from monitoring activities . They summarize, post, and present the data from activities. They tell others in the community what they've learned about local water quality.
Lesson Plan
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Light

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students explore light.  In this light wave physics lesson, students construct periscopes, kaleidoscopes, color wheels, and pinhole cameras.  Students observe and record characteristics of light demonstrated through the use of...
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Variables and Controls in an Investigation

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders identify variables and controls in a paper airplane investigation. In this scientific method lesson, 7th graders conduct an experiment to determine the variables that affect the flight of paper airplanes. They design an...
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Web of Life Game: Trout

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore the concept of food webs.  In this food web lesson plan, students demonstarte the connection between species.  Students use a ball of string show how the food web works, then have a class discussion. 
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Architects of the Coral Reef

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students discuss reproduction in Cnidaria. in this coral reef lesson, students describe five characteristics of Cnidaria and compare and contrast the four classes. They describe the reproduction strategies they use. 
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Diversity/Journalism - Book Making

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore Canadian culture by creating a book. In this community analysis lesson, 3rd graders identify the First Nations people of Canada and discuss the culture, language and diversity. Students create a book discussing...
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Gravity: A Relatively Heavy Subject

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine planetary movement and its relation to the tide.In this gravity lesson students describe how and why the high and low tides change every day.
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Extinction Extravagance

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Learners brainstorm and discuss what it means for a species to be considered endangered and/or extinct. They research animals in Puerto Rico and choose one that is considered endangered and create a poster about it. In addition, they...
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CSI on the Deep Reef

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read about, discuss, and research chemotrophic organisms. In this chemosynthesis lesson plan, students discuss the differences between photosynthesis and chemosynthesis. They learn that chemosynthesis includes a variety of...
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To Fish or Not to Fish?

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students demonstrate the decision-making process for marine reserves designations. In this role-playing lesson students analyze maps and data relating to a proposed reserve. They formulate the best decisions based on overall issues.
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Metamorphic Rock Pancakes

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students identify the properties of a metamorphic rock. They make delicious pancakes on a hot griddle at school to simulate how metamorphic rocks are made.
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Teaching the Hindu-Buddhist Tradition in East Asian Culture Through Asian Literature and Film

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore various intellectual traditions which dominate human history through a variety of contemporary pieces of literature which exemplify the traditions. Biblical monotheism, Greek rationalism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism...
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Crime Scene: The Case of the Missing Computer Chip

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students, in teams, attempt to solve a simulated crime scene.
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Perception is Not Always Reality

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils view various types of illusions. Using one of the illusions, they try to determine how a scientist might explain them. They discover a t-illusion and use their own words to analyze them. In groups, they research a different solution.
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How's Your Horoscope?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners examine the concept of astrology. They compare their traits with those of standard astrological descriptions. They discuss their findings.
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Island Biogeography and Evolution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students develop likely phylogenies for seven related populations of lizards living on the Canary Islands using real data. They organize charts, and record the data for geography, geology, morphology, and molecular genetics.
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Interpreting the History, Geology, and Ecology of Monterey Bay

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students explore what they know about Monterey Bay in the special topics course and share their information with K-12 grade children at local schools by participating in the Virtual Canyon Project. Students in this service learning...
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A Peek at the Past: Gradualism vs. Punctuated Equilibria

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners consider two sets of simulated fossils (caminalcules) that are provided as cutouts. They arrange them on two time scales. One set produces a visual example of gradualism, the other shows punctuated equilibria.
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Why Cladistics?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore how biological classification is intimately associated with evolution.
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Sampling Rocks

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students study rocks they find on the playground.  In this investigative lesson students collect and analyze rocks they find and answer questions about them. 
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Fibonacci Numbers

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students calculate the Fibonacci sequence of numbers. Through the use of Fibonacci numbers in flowers, leaves, fruits, vegetables, pine cones, and other forms of nature; students explore how Fibonacci numbers occur in nature. Then they...
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Land Use and Lawmaking in California

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students read writings by Ralph Waldo Emerson to analyze transcendentalism and analyze photographic essays depicting environmental issues. In this art and history lesson, students read excerpts of Nature by Emerson to identify...
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Case of the Threespine Stickleback

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine why some freshwater populations of stickleback fish.  In this macroevolution lesson students read a study packet then answer questions. 
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Keeping Our Pets Safe In An Emergency

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students fill out worksheets that teach them how to prepare for emergency situations and how to enable animal safety in emergency situations. In this emergency lesson plan, students talk about different kinds of emergencies and how they...