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Weather Whys
Second graders experiment with a thermometer and water samples of varying temperatures. They examine the effect different colors and different fabrics have on retaining heat. They examine snow samples for water and dirt content. They...
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Where Do All the Toxins Go?
Young scholars demonstrate how chemicals accumulate in fish fat. They study path ways of toxins in the fish's body and ways to prepare fish to avoid consuming the toxins. They examine U.S. and Canada regulations to protect the environment.
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Drama in the Salt Marsh
Students are introduced to the various organisms that live in a salt marsh. They recognize adaptations of organisms that live in the salt marsh. Pupils review concepts of the ecosystem and niche. Students explain the different roles...
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Using Abiotic and Biotic Parameters to Monitor Air Quality
Students identify the abiotic factors that influence a river or stream and the organisms that live in it. They measure several abiotic and biotic parameters to gauge water quality. Students examine the biotic environment by identifying...
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Rivers
Students examine how rivers are used in our modern world. They create and analyze a large class mural of a river illustrating the ways rivers are used by people and wildlife, and write an essay on how rivers should be used and why.
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Graphing Toad/ Frog Respiration
Students measure respiratory rates on live toads, and the effect water temperature has on their findings. In this scientific method lesson, students record their findings and present them in a graph, comparing the results.
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Plants
Sixth graders examine how plants collect water and breathe. In groups, they participate in a variety of activities in which they discover how plants operate in terrariums. To end the lesson, they discuss why plants are important to the...
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Watersheds
Students discover the importance of watersheds and how they impact other bodies of water. Using a map, they identify and analyze a watershed in their local area and evaluate the health of the water nearby. In groups, they plan their...
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Away with Waste!
Students read and analyze the story Away on the Bay as a springboard to discuss water pollution. They may look into ways in which water can be cleaned and a watershed restored.
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Transpiration
Young scholars examine the part that transpiration plays in the hydrologic cycle. They observe how plants play a role in maintaining a stable environment.
It's About Time
The Nitrogen and Phosphorous Cycles
How do we affect the ecosystem, and what can we do to preserve it? Pupils explore chemicals that promote and inhibit plant growth, then discuss the importance of nitrogen and phosphorus to the survival of organisms and describe how...
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Section Four: How Can We Protect Biodiversity?
Look into the future with a lesson plan on biodiversity and natural habitats. Learners read articles about different perspectives when it comes to planning future development, and decide which angle is the highest priority in a...
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Beaver Ecology
Students explore the lives of bgeahvers. They identify the physical and behavioral adaptations that help beavers survive in their environment. Students compare and contrast how beavers influence the ecology of both forest and aquatic...
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Earth Day
Students participate in activities to make them aware of Earth Day and its significance, and how they can make a difference in saving the environment.
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Recycling: Causes of Pollution
Young scholars read The Lorax by Dr. Seuss while focusing on similarities in their world and that of the Lorax by completing a worksheet. They examine the effects of pollution or garbage on the environment.
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Do Salt Water Fish Drink?
Students conduct an experiment with potato cores and a sucrose solution to investigate how salt water fish process water. They develop a lab report of their experiment.
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Winogradsky in a Bottle: Beginning a Winogradsky Column
Students use their measurement skills by marking a bottle for construction purposes. They record qualitative and quantitative data and analyze their results. Students demonstrate evaluation of a small scale systems as a model for the...
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Winogradsky in a Bottle: Beginning a Winogradsky Column
Students study changes in the environment using a microscale experiment. In this environmental science activity, students construct a modified "Winogradsky Column" to observe bacteria activities. They record observations and formulate a...
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Let's Study Outdoors - Outdoor Classroom
Students research native plants. They identify the plant by scientific name, size, amount of water needed and color. Pupils measure and plot an area of school property. Students create an outdoor classroom. Additional cross curriculum...
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My Hometown
Students identify the basic requirements needed for survival and identify the resouces needed for survival that are found within their own community. They use craft materials to create a model of it and then. create a color key to...
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From the Sea to the Summit, Land Use on Maui
Fourth graders examine the how the land is used on the islands of Hawaii. Using this information, they discover how elevation affects how the land is used and represent this data in a visual form. They describe existing and alternative...
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Marine Debris
Learners will perform experiments to examine if debris will float, or blow in the wind. They discuss the effects of these characteristics on marine debris.
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The Treatment of Wastewater
Students, through a series of lessons, study the various processes of treating wastewater. They participate in discussion and complete various worksheets and a hands-on activity, in which they observe the processes of filtration and...
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Forest History for Kids
Students explore the Forest and the vocabulary associated with it. In this Forest lesson, students take the roles of photographer and reporter to examine an area of land for evidence of past life. Students take a close-up and complete...