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Should Soil Be Sterile?
Students determine if the sterilization of topsoil is beneficial to seed germination and plant growth. They grow plants alongside control groups, make and record observations of plant growth and measure plant biomass.
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Down in the Dumps
After an introduction to municipal sludge, middle school ecologists consider the pros and cons of dumping in the Hudson River Canyon. The class is split into two groups: one to debate in favor or dumping and one to debate against the...
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Searching for Tomorrow's Energy
Fifth graders investigate energy. In this biology lesson plan, 5th graders will learn about energy, fossil fuels, and renewable and nonrenewable resources. Students will be participating in three lab activities which are described in...
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Zoo Poo
Students use Internet research to determine the amount of carbon dioxide produced per unit energy for biomass and coal. In this alternative energy lesson, students research to find out how much energy and carbon dioxide several coal and...
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Biomass: The Energy of the Future
Sixth graders examine information about a variety of renewable fuels. They read key vocabulary terms, read and discuss a story handout, and conduct research on renewable fuels. Students then complete a comparison chart, and write an...
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Greenewables
Young scholars form expert engineering teams working for the (fictional) alternative energy consulting firm, Greenewables, Inc. Each team specializes in a form of renewable energy used to generate electrical power: passive solar, solar...
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Bacteria: Friend or Foe?
Students examine a variety of environmental and industrial roles of bacteria. explore where bacteria can be found and distinguish bacteria from other organisms.
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Jeopardy 8th Grade (Science)
There are so many topics touched upon in this Jeopardy-style science game, that it is difficult to classify! The categories include electricity, matter, ecology, earth and space, and scientific investigation. This would best be used at...
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Creating a Basal Area Measuring Tape
Students use formulas to design and create a table. For this calculations lesson students create basal measuring tapes that will be used to measure woodlot stocking levels.
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Photosynthesis and Biomass Growth
Sixth graders examine renewable energy sources such as ethanol. For this photosynthesis and biomes lesson students complete a project on farming techniques.
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Kernel Power" Ethanol Fuel from Corn
Students study why corn is a biodegradable, renewable resource. In this ethanol lesson students build models and observe a chemical reaction.
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A Pre-Treatment Model for Ethanol Production Using a Colorimetric Analysis of Starch Solutions
Young scholars recognize the benefits of ethanol and study photosynthesis. In this ethanol lesson students complete an experiment that shows the procedure that starch can be hydrolyzed by salivary amylase.
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Investigating and Using Biomass Gases
Students examine the definitions of biomas gasification and generate their own biomass gas. In this renewable energy lesson students collect gases and roast a marshmallow.
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Reaction Rates and Catalysis in Ethanol Production
Students investigate alternative catalysts for the degradation of hydrogen peroxide. In this fermentation lesson students complete an activity that breaks down cellulose into sugar.
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Living in Extreme Environments
High schoolers examine the characteristics of the ocean floor and the importance of of extreme environments. For this investigative lesson students use four methods to sample populations, gather, record and analyze data from a...
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Biomass: The Energy of the Future
Students research renewable fuels. In this alternative energy lesson, students compile information and create a comparison chart on renewable resources. This lesson includes additional suggested readings, vocabulary, and a Biomass...
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Energy Flow - How Much Biomass do Plants Produce?
Students explore the concept of biomass. In this plant activity, students conduct a scientific investigation that requires them to observe plant growth and biomass.
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The Biosphere
In this biosphere worksheet, students identify the different levels of organization that ecologists study. Students complete charts, sentences, and answer short answer questions.
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The Biomass Balancing Act
Students conduct research and prepare and share a fact sheet for biomass energy. They witness a demonstration illustrating the presence of carbon dioxide and design an experiment to investigate carbon neutrality.
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Micro-organisms and Ecology
In this ecology worksheet, students identify and locate various vocabulary terms pertaining to micro-organisms and the study of ecology. There are 30 biology terms located in the word search.
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Coastal Biodiversity
In this earth science worksheet, students identify and locate vocabulary terms related to coastal biodiversity. There are 22 words located in the puzzle.
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Renewable Energy
Students identify how to study renewable energy from the standpoint of a news reporter or a concerned citizen. Then they approach art in a fun way through a journalism project that includes create a brochure for display. Students also...
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Biomass As a Fuel
Pupils investigate the use of biomass as a fuel. They discuss energy and its uses in their homes. They explore the two types of energy, potential and kinetic and examples of both types. They study the process of photosynthesis and...
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The Biomass Balancing Act
Students work in groups to research biomass using the International Energy Agency's website. Students use evidence from the web search to assess biomass energy potential in Pennsylvania as part of a classroom "Alternative Energy...