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Connecticut Wildlife: Biodiversity and Conservation Status of Our Vertebrate Populations
Young scholars explore the different types of vertebrates found in their area. In this environmental science lesson, students perform a case study on the Common Raven. They analyze data collected from research and create charts and graphs.
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WHAT DARWIN NEVER SAW: Evolution, Science, Biology, Natural Selection
Students view video showing recent field work on a twenty two-year study of finch beaks on a small island in the Galapagos, showing natural selection clearly operating in the wild.
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Climate Change
Students focus on the production of maple syrup in Northern New England as they study the effects of climate change. They investigate other environmental factors on the forests of Northern New England.
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Ecology - Reproduction and heredity
Students correlate signs of spring with reproductive strategies of varioius organisms. They describe how organisms inherit traits from generation to generation.
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Bird Buffet
Fifth graders investigate how birds use their beaks. In this agriculture lesson, 5th graders use tools to simulate how birds gather food with their beaks. They then draw conclusions about certain types of beaks and what types of food a...
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Sea and Ice Salinity
Students conduct an experiment. In this salinity instructional activity, students learn about sea ice, why it is important and how changing amounts can affect the sea. Students conduct an experiment to find out the effects of salinity...
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Evolution of a Virus
In this viruses and evolution worksheet, students read an article on line about the avian flu virus and its evolutionary changes. They answer ten questions about the article including topics such as natural selection, mutations and...
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Happy Face Spider Propagation
Students research genetic adaptations. In this chromosome lesson, students investigate dominant and recessive genes using spiders indigenous to Hawaii. Students create Punnett squares to determine the probability of passing specific...
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The Great MPA Debate
Students study the 'Marine Protected Areas' process. In this ocean lesson students work in groups, conduct research and present it to the class.
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Molecular Approaches to Evolution
Students are introduced to working with molecular data. The first activity does both simulated and original data are used to compare amino acid, protein or DNA differences to construct phylogenetic trees or cladograms. These activities...
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Struggle for Existence and Population Growth in Aphids
Students examine the population of aphids. They identify adaptations they have made for their environment. They make predictions, test their hypothesis and collect information that either proves or disproves their theory.
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People Are Like Peas in a Pod
Students experiment with peapods to show the diversity of individual within a population. They examine dominant traits, recessive traits, genotypes, and phenotypes and show the process of making a Punnett Square.
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Adaptation and Mimicry - Biology
Young scholars compare and contrast adaptations involving camouflage, warning coloration, and mimicry. They explain the relationship between adaptation and ability for survival and reproduction. Students define Batesian and Mullerian...
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Great Blobs of Jelly!
Students explain how zoo-plankton have an impact on the global process. In this ocean zoo-plankton activity students calculate carbon flux and plankton densities.
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Teacher Preparation Notes on Genetics
Young scholars explore genetics through various hands-on activities. In this biology activity, students predict the probability of offspring genotypes and phenotypes using the Punnett Square. They explain the causes of genetic...
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Extinction Is Forever
Students observe models of two kinds of forests with low and high biodiversity. They observe and record the effects of habitat destruction or extinction rates. They also conduct research about mass extinction like that of the ancient...
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What Secrets Are Hiding in My Schoolyard?
Students investigate germination. In this schoolyard activity, students collect soil samples and germinate seeds. Students study how seeds remain dormant until conditions are right for germination.
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Birds and Migration
Students actively simulate bird migration. In this animal migration lesson, students participate in an activity that simulates the migration of birds. The teacher discusses with the class the hazards and difficulties birds face during...
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Specialized Structures and Environments
Fifth graders explore biology by completing an Internet activity in class. For this adaptation lesson, 5th graders identify several organisms and mammals that fight for their existence through slow changes to their anatomy over the...
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Vermicomposting
Fifth graders explore agriculture by viewing compost related presentations. In this worm and soil lesson, 5th graders identify the relationship between good soil and the worms who inhabit it by reading assigned text in class. Students...
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An Introduction to Dichotomous Keys
Young scholars pretend to be shark biologists employed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) who have been flown into the coastal city of Sao Luis in Brazil because locals have noticed an unidentified shark at...
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The Theory of Evolution
In this theory of evolution worksheet, students will review the role Charles Darwin played in the theory of evolution, natural selection, and adaptations. Students will explore some of the different types of evidence for the theory of...
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Cancer: A Crisis of the Cells
Students analyze cancer data represented in graphs and charts. They describe the changes in cell structure and function as the result of cancer. They also examine phenomenas that are believed to cause cancer.
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Next Year's Seeds
Fifth graders explore genetic traits. In this genetic traits instructional activity, 5th graders discover how traits are passed from parent to offspring while examining plants. Students problem solve real world applications.