Lesson Plan
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Soil Profile

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research soil layers and create a soil profile in a jar.  In this soil profile lesson, 4th graders working in groups, research a given layer of soil, make a 3-5 minute presentation to the class, and complete a...
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Edible Soil

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students model the soils layers using Oreo's. In this lesson plan students use their favorite food items to create a model of soil layers. A discovery lesson plan from a youth camp is adapted for classroom modeling and discussion of...
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Water Filtration

For Teachers 6th - 8th
As an example of nature's water filtering system, young ecologists conduct an experiment in the lab. They construct a funnel out of a plastic bottle, fill it with specified layers of materials that simulate layers of soil, then run muddy...
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The Nitrogen Cycle

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Young scholars design and create a compost pile in order to study the Nitrogen Cycle. They then use the scientific method to determine if plants grow better when they add organic matter from their compost pile to the plant's soil.
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Shoe Box Archaeology

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students assemble a shoe box following a layered pattern alternating between soil and artifacts. The layers of artifacts begin with the grandparents and end with the student's own personal possessions.
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Molecular Origami

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students construct an origami models of different molecules. In this chemistry lesson, students explain what expansive soils are made up of. They discuss what happens when this expansive soil expands or shrinks.
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Exploring Rocks

For Teachers K
Students recognize differences in the size, shape, texture, and color of different rocks. For this rocks lesson plan, students also learn and repeat back how a volcano erupts and make one out of a toilet paper tube.
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A Hidden Beauty

For Teachers K - 2nd
Expose the beautiful mystery of bulbs as young botanists learn all about these fascinating plants. They glean information from a short text before observing actual bulbs (consider an onion), and comparing their findings with predictions....
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Let's Make a Compost Cake

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners create a compost cake. In this gardening and decomposition science lesson plan, students review and describe the "nutrient cycle." Learners create a compost pile, measure and record the dimensions and temperature of the pile,...
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Making a Terrarium

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students construct and maintain model of natural habitat, suggest improvements to the model of the natural habitat to make it more realistic and habitable, and demonstrate careful observation and recording of how animals survive in their...
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The Water Cycle

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students develop a better understanding of the need to conserve our renewable resources.  In this water cycle lesson students take notes, complete a guide sheet and illustrate the water cycle. 
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Moon: NC Summer Tour Lesson 2007

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students investigate craters and marea. In this crater and marea lesson, students conduct an experiment to create craters. Students participate in a dance activity.
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Building the Terrarium

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars draw a layout of their proposed terrarium. In this social studies lesson, students discuss how Mayans farm to produce food for the family. They compare their farming method with modern farming practices.
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Aquifers and Recharge Areas

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a model of an aquifer and describe how an aquifer works. They describe how running affects an aquifer and prepare a model presenting to local planners the important aspects of protecting recharge areas.
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Pop Bottle Terrarium

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Young scholars make terrariums out of bottles, pebbles, cuttings from other plants, and water. In this terrarium lesson plan, students learn about recycling by using household items to make terrariums.
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Sunlight and Warm Air

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students discuss radiant energy from the sun, performing a simple experiment with sun glasses and bright light to demonstrate the concept. Students further participate in simple in-class experiments to demonstrate: air density as it...
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The Physical Environment

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders use damp sand, a baking pan, and water to simulate erosion. In this erosion lesson plan, 4th graders participate in a simulation to show what moving water does to land.
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Mud Splat Craters

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students simulate crater formation using mud. In this earth science lesson, students identify the features of a crater. They explain how the force of impact affect the crater's appearance.
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From Ground to Water

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore groundwater and issues relating to groundwater. They discus the problems involving groundwater. Students write a newspaper story addressing groundwater problems. They create a comic strip addressing groundwater...