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Buffalo Soldiers

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the role of the buffalo soldiers in the United States Army during the nineteenth century conflict along the frontier with the Indian tribes. They discuss the social change represented by African Americans serving...
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Galapagos Islands

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the science and geography related to the Galapagos Islands. In this ecosystem lesson, students locate the Galapagos Islands on a world map and discuss its significance in history. Students complete a vocabulary sheet,...
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Streamlines and Breadlines

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the Great Depression. In this Great Depression lesson, students research selected websites and analyze primary sources to conduct inquiries regarding the depression, northern migration, and urbanization. Students author...
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A Different Kind of Rock Star

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the mysteries of Mars. In this scientific comprehension lesson, students read a USA Today article and discuss questions about Mars. To conclude the lesson, students engage in a Rorshach inspired experiment.
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A Helthy Diet

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine their eating habits and experience analyzing data and drawing conclusions. They construct models of the molecular backbone of saturated and unsaturated fats. In addition, they examine the labels of their food, record...
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Planetary Problem Solving

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners create their own planet. They determine its diameter, density, composition, mass and orbit. Students create a list of elements necessary to sustain human life. They present their model to the class.
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Targeting an Action

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore how the brain how the brain infers the position of a moving target. They investigate how the brain can fine-tune its motor control over the muscle groups that will perform the intended action. Students participate in a...
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Feeling Pressured

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore pressure in our atmosphere. They examine the relationship between pressure and depth. Students construct an experimental apparatus and take measurements. Students evaluate the impact of pressure on the lungs.
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Galapagos Project

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explore Darwin's trip to the Galapagos Islands. In groups, students create a field guide for one of the five major islands in the Galapagos.
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How Historians Know: Investigating a Midwife's Life

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students view "A Midwife's Tale" to explain the methods historians use to study the past. They complete worksheets to identify what historians look for.
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ROV Grid Search

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students perform activities to recreate the exploration of the sea bottom. They attach magnets to the bottom of the remote controlled car to see how many camouflaged objects it can pick up. As a class, students examine the results of...
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Leaky Seal

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Junior high schoolers explore possible theories for the cause of the Hunley submarine sinking. Through hands on activities, they investigate how to create a waterproof seal. Afterwards, they discuss how seals work and various...
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Lincoln’s Political Theology

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students consider the weight of Lincoln's spiritual life on his political life. In this Abraham Lincoln lesson, students read excerpts from speeches delivered by Lincoln and determine whether they reveal information about Lincoln's...
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Hispanic Immigration: America in the Year 2000

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students investigate the underlying reasons for immigration, focusing on five major trends: political, economic, family, career and educational. They examine the immigration of Spanish speaking groups.
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Letters from the Frontier: Reading and Writing Primary Documents

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine historical documents about George Caitlin to derive meaning about his life and contributions. The instructional activity is multicultural and helps students to appreciate art and history.
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Negotiating Treaties

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders recognize the interaction between early settlers and indigenous people in the U.S. They recognize the impact of the Indian Removal Act on displaced Natives in the early West and the impact on Native attitudes today.
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SHOW 303: The Channel Island Fox

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students explore how archaeologists and other scientists use different clues to piece together a picture of the past. Students perform activities that allow them to conduct three types of scientific research. They discuss their...
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Building Texas: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lesson Plan

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders study the engineering projects that the US Army Corps of Engineers initiated during the development of Texas. They examine primary source documents that are in digital and print form, and identify US Army Corp of Engineer...
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Beneath the Sea

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students build a model of a submersible that will allow them to explore ballasts and how they operate.  In this hands on lesson students participate in an activity that shows them how to control buoyancy.
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Say Cheese

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Young scholars examine the differences in the working and eating conditions between the late 1800s and today. They engage in an Internet Quest for information on cheese which culminate in a hands-on cheese-making experience and tasting...
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Don't Fence Me In

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine historical information about the development of barbed wire and practice identifying geometric terms. After reading through background information, they participate in several activities that include making calculations...
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Science of Special Effects

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
This is a creative, multidisciplinary, well-designed lesson provided by Scientific American related to special effects. Students make their own animated short films and use math and computer skills.
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Creating Musical Notation

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
In this creative music activity from Scientific American, students learn about musical notation and then design their own notations. Great web resource links are alsp provided
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Binaural Hearing in Humans

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
In this creative science activity from Scientific American, learners learn more about hearing with two ears and make a hands-on exploration of how sound is located. Excellent web link resources are also provided.