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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dishing the Dirt Part 3

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers collect and examine different soil samples. They test for specific types of soil elements and the pH level. They answer questions about optimum growing conditions as well.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science and the Scientific Process

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the characteristics of different soil samples. In this physical science lesson, students play the role of forensics solving a crime by matching soil from the suspect's shoes. They formulate a conclusion after testing...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Urban Impact on Chollas Creek (California): A Field Study

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students, in groups, take samples from a creek and keep a field journal on their samples. They also perform tests on their samples.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Necessary Nitrogen

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students view a video that presents the biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen. They compare types of soils and consider how different fertilizers affect soil composition.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Safe Is Your Backyard?

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders investigate the safety of soil and water locally and communicate via the Internet with students in different locales sharing information. They research the Internet using its multimedia capabilities and collate the data...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Properties of Soil

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders conduct investigations to test different types of soil from different regions of Texas. They make comparisons and identify the characteristics of the soil. The end product of the inquiry is a student report.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lead Extraction

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners investigate one method used in the detection of lead in the soil. They use a Lead Check Soil Kit to safely obtain results in 30 minutes or less in levels of 400 ppm or above. In addition, they write a brief description of what...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flood!

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine different types of soil have different capacities for retaining rainwater. For this science lesson, students determine that if the soil in an area will not hold enough rainwater there may be a flood. Students experiment...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Plume of Contamination

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students perform an experiment/investigative simulation regarding the movement of contaminants in groundwater. They test the pH of three water samples, and then use their reasoning skills to determine the source of an invisible...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reading the River

For Teachers 5th - 8th
In collaborative groups, young ecologists measure the temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen for three different freshwater samples. They examine each sample with a microscope and record observations on the microorganisms in the pond...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Does Dye Die...? : Foreign Chemicals In Our Environment

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Young scholars work as scientists to simulate testing on soil, plants, and water for foreign chemicals through this series of experiments.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Does Dye Die? Foreign Chemicals in Our Environment

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students conduct an experiment to observe photolysis in the lab. In this chemistry lesson, students explain the mechanism behind photolysis. They test the impact of a non-toxic marker to plant metabolism.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Quality

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students play the role of scientists testing for water quality in the area. In this ecology lesson plan, students determine the water sample's pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. They write a journal reflection after the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Activity #4 Ground Water Model In a Jar

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students devlop a model, which they illustrate a water table and allow for the discussion of common terms and illustrate what those terms mean. They comprehend that a flow rates, removal of contaminants, and the amount of water stored...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Quality Monitoring

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students comprehend the four parameters of water quality. They perform tests for salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and clarity or turbidity. Students comprehend why scientists and environmental managers monitor water uality and aquatic...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Technology as a Tool of Science

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students monitor streams, take stream surveys, collect chemical and macro-invertebrate and stream discharge data. Using a digital camera, students observe the percentage of various types of vegetation on the flood plan, riparian area and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparative Stream Quality

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine water quality on a nearby stream. They collect water samples and test for various factors, including any contamination from the treatment plant, and present their information in a Powerpoint presentation.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating the Uses of Backyard Bacteria

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover that the answers to some of society's waste and clean-up problems may be no further than the soil beneath their feet. They perform a Gram stain on the colonies to determine some of their characteristics.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

CSI: Native America

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students discuss the murders of Native Americans in Indiana. In groups, they research and make drawings of the scene as if they were part of a CSI team. They complete any needed experiments to help them solve the crime and create a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Portable Niche

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders, in groups, research animals, plants, and conditions found in ecosystems.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evaluate Ecosystems

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students collect data from a field study. They write an environmental impact statement and design a plan to improve the ecosystem they have been observing. Finally, they give a presentation on the data and information they have collected.