Lesson Plan
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Variables Affecting Earth's Albedo

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students study the variables that affect the Earth's albedo.  In this environmental data analysis activity students interpret and graph information and calculate changes. 
Lesson Plan
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Hurricanes: An Environment of Concern

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study hurricanes and research the damage done by hurricane Katrina.  For this environment investigative lesson students divide into groups and complete a given assignment. 
Lesson Plan
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Deep Convective Clouds

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students observe clouds. In this deep convective clouds lesson, students analyze cloud data recorded over one month and draw conclusions based on results.  Students predict "Thunderstorm Season" and prepare to defend their decision...
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Air Quality

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students observe air quality and monoxide data. In this air quality lesson plan, students draw conclusions and manipulate data from a one year period on changes in air quality.
Lesson Plan
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The Absorption of Solar Energy

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Two sequential parts to this lesson introduce your class to the electromagnetic spectrum, the ability to absorb radiant energy, and the pigments in leaves that are responsible for collecting sunlight to be used in the photosynthetic...
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Effect of Technology on the Environment

For Teachers 5th
There's no doubt that one of the most consistent dangers to our environment is the risks associated with the extraction and shipment of oil. This lesson focuses on oil spills - how they happen, the effects they have on the environment,...
Lesson Plan
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Weathering Rocks

For Teachers 3rd
Here is a geology lesson that is sure to get your charges excited. It's all about the process of weathering of rocks. Learners study natural events that can cause rocks to break apart. Some of these events are: ice wedging, plant...
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Whitewater Canal State Historic Site

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
If you happen to live in Indiana, or a neighboring state, and are planning a field trip to the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site, then this lesson plan will suit your needs quite well. In it, suggestions for activities before, during,...
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Finding, Gathering, Saving Seeds

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Learners understand the importance of saving seeds. In this saving seeds lesson, students dry out seeds for later use planting. Learners recognize that one plant may have many seeds.
Lesson Plan
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Creating a Three sisters Garden

For Teachers K - 5th
Students understand that a three sisters garden is comprised of corn, beans and squash. In this three sisters garden lesson, students understand that Native Americans planted three sisters gardens and grow a three sisters garden....
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Carrying Capacity

For Teachers 5th
Young biologists identify how plants and animals are affected by changes in their ecosystem and environment.  The concepts of succession, maintenance of habitats, interrelationships, and adaptation are all discussed. This...
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A New Phase In Town

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore heat energy and how it is used to change the phase of matter, and discover that temperature does not increase or decrease until the phase change is complete. This extremely well-written plan is packed with great...
Lesson Plan
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Animal Cells

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students define the function of the different parts of a cell. In this biology lesson, students  discuss cell structures and how its organelles perform basic functions. They differentiate between human and animal cells.
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Simple Machines IV - Levers

For Teachers 4th
The principles of levers and simple machines are presented here. An easy-to-make lever is constructed by each group of scientists, and they use it to explore how this simple machine makes heavy things so much easier to lift and move. A...
Lesson Plan
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Simple Machines I - Inclined Planes, Wedges, and Screws

For Teachers 4th
The principles and uses of inclined planes, screws, and wedges are the focus of a science lesson plan. In it, youngsters come up with every day examples of simple machines, and build an example of one in class. That project is then used...
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Levers and Wedges in the Human Body

For Teachers 3rd
Young biologists identify parts of the body that serve as wedges (teeth and fingernails), and as levers (jaw, arms, and legs). The hands-on activities described here should be exciting for learners to perform, and should also lead to a...
Lesson Plan
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A Shocking Experience

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners differentiate between current and static electricity, conductors and insulators, explain how energy is converted from chemical to electrical, measure voltage of batteries, collect data on voltage, and predict voltage of...
Lesson Plan
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Water, Water Everywhere!

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners brainstorm on ways they use water, and where water comes from. They view video, Down the Drain, to gain specific facts about water use, properties of water, problems of water and the water cycle. They perform a lab activity...
Lesson Plan
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What Can We Learn From the Past?

For Teachers 7th - 11th
What would future archeologists learn from your scholars' personal belongings? Have them bring in a box of "primary sources" from their home. Discuss the difference between observations and inference, using some of your own items to...
Lesson Plan
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See The Wind!

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students learn about wind at different altitudes above the earth. In this wind lesson plan, students use kites or balloons with attached streamers to observe the wind speed, wind turbulence and shear at different elevations. Students...
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Pressure Effects

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students, in groups, create experiments to predict and prove what a change in pressure can do to objects exposed to the change. They use AppleWorks to write their hypotheses and the steps they need to conduct the experiment.
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What Is the Matter?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore and identify phases of matter and compare the particle motion in solids, liquids, and gasses.
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Using the Carbon Cycle Interactive Game in the Classroom

For Teachers 4th - 9th
An online reading and interactive game bring the path of a carbon molecule to life for your earth science explorers! As an assessment, learners can map out or write about their experience in the carbon cycle. Thoroughly written...
Lesson Plan
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Work and Energy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
The first activity may not work for your class if you don't have access to an open area of 30 meters and two cars of different masses, but the remaining activities can be used in any physics course. They all involve the investigation of...