Lesson Plan
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Astronomy Teamwork

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work together in groups to complete an astronomy project. In the classroom, they find real objects to represent various objects in the solar system. After going outside, they practice using a distance scale and use their...
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Gridding a Site

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students make observations of effigy mounds and record them in a notebook. In groups, they must determine the scale of measurement and create their own grid to scale part of the Effigy Mounds National Monument. They also practice using...
Lesson Plan
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America the Beautiful

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students listen to a read-aloud discussing the landmarks of the United States. In pairs, they use the internet to research a landmark of their choice. They create a visual aid to be given with a presentation sharing the information...
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Stream Gages and GIS

For Teachers Higher Ed
students interpret recent regional-scale climate events based on current stream flow, monitor changes in time, and to consider additional interpretations that could be derived if other data were in map form.
Lesson Plan
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What Does a Quarter Weigh?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study the historical figures and symbols of U.S. patriotism depicted on the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter coins. They create a balance scale from common materials to measure the approximate weight of a quarter.
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Snow Cover By Latitude

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine computerized data maps in order to create graphs of the amount of snowfall found at certain latitudes by date. Then they compare the graphs and the data they represent. Students present an analysis of the graphs.
Lesson Plan
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Exploring Infrared Image Technology

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students view infrared images of a blowing hair dryer, a Popsicle, and a toaster. They discuss the images and ways they are different than visible light images. Students view a temperature scale and discuss which parts of the item are...
Lesson Plan
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Architectural Buildings

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore various styles of architecture. They work together to create a town with clay buildings that come together in order to form this small town. They discuss maps, layouts, and the structure of buildings.
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Sea Surface Temperature Trends of the Gulf Stream

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the importance of the Gulf Stream. Using a NASA satellite images, they examine the sea surface temperature. Students collect the temperature at various locations and times. Using spreadsheet technology, they graph the...
Lesson Plan
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Sea Surface Temperature Trends of the Gulf Stream

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students use authentic satellite data to produce plots and graphs of sea surface temperature as they explore the seasonal changes of the Gulf Stream.
Lesson Plan
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Burt County, NE, Soil Survey

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students identify the soil types and textures, and locate the waterways in or near the towns of Lyons and Decatur, Nebraska. They analyze soil profile maps, and answer conclusion questions.
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Ecosystems

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work together to identify the characteristics of their local ecosystem and another one nearby. In groups, they use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the two. They use this information to create a collage of both...
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Ridgerunner

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students jog for three minutes at the beginning of the class, increasing one minute per week for ten weeks. They count each lap as one mile on the Appalachian Trail, computing the class average and plotting their progress on a class map.
Lesson Plan
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Researching the World's Oceans

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students research and compare important features of the oceans based on current data. They examine the globe or map, determine the major oceans of the world, and record their names on the data sheet.
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Earthquakes and Seismic Waves

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners investigate the Richter scale and seismology in a teacher-led lab in which they are introduced to the concept of seismic waves and epicenter location. They further investigate the inner workings of a seismograph and practice...
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Patchwork of the Planet

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students are taught how satellite images can be joined to make a picture mosaic. They use actual satellite images to make satellite mosaics regions of the United States. Students use a camera to photograph portions of a globe in the...
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The Slave Trade

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students map and explore a possible slave trade route. In this slave trade mapping lesson, students calculate the distance and amount of time it would take for African slaves to arrive in America.
Lesson Plan
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Where Should You Turn?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders complete activities to study decimal numbers. In this decimal numbers lesson, 4th graders study decimal numbers to express numbers less than one and intervals. Students complete map and location activities to study the...
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Activities to Enhance STEDII Data

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students develop an understanding of related weather processes such as wind, cloud cover, and temperature using STEDII data and instrumentation. In addition, they integrate mathematical calculations to produce a forecast map.
Lesson Plan
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Regional Economics in the United States

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners describe and provide examples of the primary factors behind the regional pattern of economic activity in the United States. They create maps showing regional economics patterns in the US and examine those patterns in comparison...
Lesson Plan
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Tall Grass Prairies of Arkansas

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners compare maps depicting the past and present range of tall grass prairie in Arkansas. They research to discover what has happened to the prairie, why it is unique, how it contributes to the biodiversity of Arkansas, and why...
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Lewis and Clark

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research the Lewis and Clark expedition and the Corps of Discovery. They explore a variety of websites and complete a WebQuest, analyze maps, and answer comprehension questions. Students also write journal entries and...
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Creating and Analyzing Graphs of Tropospheric Ozone

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students create and analyze graphs using archived atmospheric data to compare the ozone levels of selected regions around the world.
Lesson Plan
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How Does Your Garden Grow?

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students create a design for a school garden. In this garden design lesson, students analyze what plants grow best in their school's climate and work in teams to design a garden. Students measure the existing space, determine the...