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Variation in Human Skin Color
High schoolers explore factors that control variation in human skin color and the implications of this information for human society. They understand that skin color is no longer considered a credible scientific standard by which to...
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Keeping Warm When it is Cold: How does a polar bear keep warm?
Students make a model of a polar bear and discuss why fur/skin color is important. They also perform a simple experiment using black and white socks to determine how color affects temperature.
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What Makes Bones Strong?
Learners explore the function of bone, muscle, and skin. Pasta and rubber bands are used to model how minerals and collagen contribute to bone strength. The effects of the reduction of these substances are explored in chicken bones.
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Roadkill Museum
Students use roadside kill to use taxidermy skills, become comfortable working with animals and dissecting.
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Made from Animals
Here is a terrific lesson for elementary schoolers on products that come from animals. In it, pupils discover that we get a lot more than just food from animals. After a class discussion and teacher-led demonstration, learners utilize...
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Scientific Detectives
Middle schoolers examine the legitimacy of advertisers' claims about products using science and critical thinking. They view and discuss ads, read a case study, and conduct an experiment to demonstrate whether a product lives up to its...
Huntington Library
Everyday Life - Exploring the California Missions
Young scholars relive history as they examine primary sources that document everyday life in the California missions. During a class viewing of the included slideshow presentation, children analyze documents, paintings, and...
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Skeletal System
Third graders describe and identify the parts of the skeleton and how they support the body. They observe two chicken bones that have been soaked in vinegar for 5 - 7 days. They observe the bone's appearance after it has been removed...
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Animal Signs
Students discuss the many different types of animal signs that can be used to identify and track animals. They participate in an hands-on activity in which they examine tracks, trails, homes, territory markings, and even "scat" left by...
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Household Hazardous Waste Reduction
Learners discover the different types of hazardous waste. They examine ways to dispose of the hazardous materials safely and without harming the environment.
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Genetics of Parenthood
Students participate in an activity where they flip coins to determine which allele they pass on to the F1 generation and draw the resulting child's face. They identify several inheritance patterns including dominant, recessive,...
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Body Language? The Language of Contemporary Fashion
Students examine the messages given to others based on their clothing. In groups, they compare and contrast the clothes of today with those from the 1980s. While being shown a picture of a piece of clothing, they practice object...
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Earthworms
Students observe and chart the body of earthworms. For this earthworm lesson plan, students each get their own earthworm to observe and play with. They then record the different body parts of an earthworm and the different behaviors they...
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Does Your Diet Stack Up?
Students investigate the food pyramid. In this nutrition lesson, students review the food pyramid and construct a list of what they eat. Students review the nutritional value of their food list and brainstorm ways to improve their diet.
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Animal Coverings
Students categorize animals by their coverings. They list descriptive words, explore a science center with actual animal coverings, match pictures of animals with coverings, and categorize pictures of animals by their coverings on a...
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Genes
Students explore the history, inheritance and mutations of genetics. In this genetic lesson students complete experiments on DNA sequences.
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Specialized Structures and Environment
Fifth graders read about how different animals protect themselves, and how characteristics give animals an advantage in their environment. Students then discuss a variety of "outer" wear for humans, and what they might choose to wear in...
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Understanding the Body, Day 3: Sexual Health and Hygiene
High schoolers identify the components of good hygiene and the consequences of poor hygiene. They practice using different hygiene tools and discuss how often they should be used. They discover that hygiene is a personal responsibility.
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Chart This!
Students collect and analyze data. In this middle school mathematics lesson, students collect data on three to four traits or favorites. Students analyze their data and create a chart of graph for each trait or favorite they...
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Agriculture Cares for the World
Students explore world geography by analyzing agriculture. In this dietary habits lesson, students discuss the role parents play in their children's diet and where the food comes from. Students write agricultural research paragraphs and...
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Natural Selection
Eighth graders define natural selection and adaptation. They simulate natural selection within a species and relate the elements of natural selection to the simulation. They analyze the results of natural selection in terms of...
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Activity: Bird Beak Buffet
Students study the functions of bird beaks. In this animal evolution lesson, students compare and contrast different types of bird beaks focusing on how the beaks are adapted to the foods the birds eat. Students record and graph their...
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Andy Warhol and Silkscreen Pop Art
Students explore art history by researching famous paintings on-line. In this Andy Warhol lesson, students discuss who Warhol was, his impact on popular art and methods of painting. Students examine his use of silk screen printing and...
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Food Pyramid and Dietary Guidelines
Third graders complete activities and worksheets to explore the Food Guide Pyramid and Dietary Guidelines .