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Geologic Timelines

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a timeline of geologic events of the Phanerozoic Eon. In this geologic timeline lesson, students view a handout that shows a timeline of the Earth's history. They create their own timeline of the Phanerozoic Eon with...
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Mud Fossils

For Teachers K - 4th
Learners observe real fossils. In this science lesson, students make their own mud fossils by pressing material into the mud and letting it dry in the sun for 3-4 days. Learners then get the fossils out displaying their mud...
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Sequencing Time

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners place events in sequence and assign relative times to each event. They gain an understanding of relative and numerical time and become familiar with the methods used by scientists to develop the Geologic Time Scale.
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Fires and Fire Suppression

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine their assumptions about forest fires. They explore the conflicts involved with the forest service's new strategy. in addition, they will study one case where a prescribed natural burn had a significant impact on a later,...
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Say Cheese

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students 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 activity.
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Non Native Species: English Ivy-Landscape Plant or Deadly Killer?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the impact that invasive species have on biodiversity and more natural areas.
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Classifying Shells

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students observe and classify different types of shells. They compare and contrast an exhibit they created with one that already exists in a musuem. They discover the different characteristics of shells.
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Geology

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students, in groups, observe the effect of water and ice on surface features of the land. They alsoexplore erosion and deposition.
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How Does Climate Influence Civilization

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers demonstrate their knowledge of the Earth's systems.  In this climate lesson students identify the climate of a chosen area and the effects it has on the lifestyles of those living there. 
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A Place in Time

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students become familiar with an eruptive history and related world events and impart a sense of the immensity of geological time. They explore timelines by creating their own, then are introduced to major eruptive periods of Mount St....
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How Things Fly

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners observe photographs of selected twentieth-century aircraft at the National Air and Space Museum and note differences in the design of aircraft wings, fuselages, and engines.
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African Safari

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders gain an appreciation for the different cultures that inhabit the Earth by focusing on the people of Africa
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Pulsar Stars And Black Holes

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars explore the discovery of pulsar stars, and the characteristics of pulsar stars. Theories and ideas behind black holes are discussed. The issues of women's historical role in science are also touched on.
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Great North

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students use maps to locate the Arctic Circle, the North Pole and Northern Europe. They draw and label countries within the Arctic Cirlce and identify the groups of people who live there. They also watch and answer questions about the...
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Dealing with Growth and Change

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students discuss the right and wrong actions of a young Navajo boy. Using that information, they compare and contrast his culture to their own. In groups, they create a newspaper or poster showing the cultural contributions of the...
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Got Biodiversity?

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students examine the concept of biodiversity. Using the internet, they complete small activities in which they work together. Using the information they collected, they create a class book, make murals and write in their journals.
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Dig Into Ireland

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore environments and wildlife of Ireland to find out how they were formed, and how they helped form Irish culture. Students research online to determine connections between present elements in Irish culture and wildlife and...
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Glaciers

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders summarize how Earth processes today are similar to those that occurred in the past. They read excerpts from John Muir's "Yosemite Glaciers" and explain how slow geologic processes have large cumulative effects over long...
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Environmental Health Hazards and Children

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students are introduced to the environmental hazards their community is facing. In groups, they develop a list of the ways humans have changed the Earth and how these changes have lead to environmental hazards. They record their...
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Biogeochemical Cycles

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students demonstrate comprehension of the energy sources of various cycles by completing mini stories. They demonstrate analysis of words by defining individual word parts and combining them to form definitions. Students demonstrate...
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Thermal Expansion

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine how thermal expansion of water can affect sea level. They conduct an experiment that demonstrates what happens to water levels when exposed to heat, record the results on a data sheet, and discuss the results.
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Rainforest

For Teachers K - 1st
Students examine how important the rainforest and its resources are for our everyday survival in the future.
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Mineral Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars complete a scavenger hunt worksheet as they find examples in their classroom, at home, etc., of minerals. Excellent worksheet!
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American Lives in Two Centuries:What Is an American?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers decide what it means to be an American. In this historical perspectives lesson, students read Crevecoeur's "Letter from an American Farmer," and interviews with everyday Americans from the Works Progress Administration....