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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Swamps, Shrimp, and Tsunamis: A Simulation of Sustainable Development Issues in Coastal Ecuador

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the economic benefits, environmental losses and dangers of the shrimp farming industry on the coast of Ecuador. They read a script, role-play people involved in the shrimp business, and write an essay of the pros and cons.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Be Water Wise!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Rally your administration and facilities manager to let your class examine the water flow rates in different areas of the school. After the audit, the class researches opportunites for conserving water and writes a report or develops a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plants in Your Gas Tank: From Photosynthesis to Ethanol

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Explore ethanol and how it is produced. Young scientists investigate photosynthesis and fermentation to the concept of conservation of energy and mass. They discuss the environmental and economical benefits of ethanol as a fuel additive.
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Interactive
Curated OER

Petro Products

For Students 5th - 12th
In this petroleum products learning exercise, students are given the components of crude oil and they graph the various products found in a 50 gallon barrel. Students complete an activity to determine if they have collected cards that...
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Activity
It's About Time

Curved Mirrors

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Discover concave and convex mirrors using a laser light. Scholars experiment with real and virtual images before reading a handout and completing homework questions. Included extensions greatly benefit learners, so take advantage of the...
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Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Organisms in Symbiosis

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Searching for an activity that allows emerging biologists to explore symbiosis up close and personal? Pupils collect samples and view lichens through a microscope and conclude with a discussion about the relationship they have with other...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Design a Reef!

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Using a miniature coral reef aquarium kit, young ecologists model this unique ecosystem. They research various coral reef organisms and their niches, and they culminate the project by working together to write a report. Use this activity...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Probes, Exploration and Application

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine the benefits of the space program to our life on earth.  In this space exploration instructional activity students participate in a lab, answer questions and study radar mapping. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Benefits of Biodiversity

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students examine the concept of biodiversity. They toss coins to determine what traits mouse parents have and the babies traits as well. They predict what would happen to the baby mice if the traits of the parents were different.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Science of Weather: Hurricanes

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners use this USA today activity to learn about hurricane season. In this hurricane lesson, students study the map of the earth and hurricane science. Learners complete discuss questions. Students draw a map of the United States and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Snack Attack: Food Packaging Activity

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students design and create packaging material for food. For this snack attack lesson, students design a package to protect a food item from heat and water. Students consider costs of materials, design, and test the package to see if it...
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Lesson Plan
National Geographic

Battery Lesson Plan

For Teachers 5th - 12th Standards
Not really just a lesson plan, but a series of activities, reading handouts, and teacher's guidelines for conducting a class mini unit on the battery. Physical scientists focus on the history of the cell battery, experiment with...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How To Grow Red Seaweed

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore ocean biology by participating in a plant growing activity. For this seaweed lesson, students identify the importance and uses of seaweed in the ocean and examine different seaweed samples. Students utilize an aquarium,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forces on the Human Molecule

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners conduct several simple lab activities to explore the five fundamental load types that can act on structures: tension, compression, shear, bending, and torsion. In this activity, students play the role of molecules in a beam...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In the Presence of Oxygen

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders, in groups, classify different activities as aerobic or anaerobic. They create posters displaying their categorizations and then take notes on each other's posters.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Preserving Health Through Biological Diversity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research and explore the benefits of biodiversity, particularly as it relates to human health. They write an essay in which they explain the possible effect of human activities on the emergence of new diseases.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bog Science

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study bogs. They tour, collect physical, chemical, and biological data and analyze a pristine bog community. Using the data, they draw a map and a cross section of the bog.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Extreme Flashlight Tag

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders view a Powerpoint show about reflecting light. They experiment through a reflection simulation on the internet. Students complete the activity by using mirrors and light to complete send light to a specified spot.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Global Water Crisis

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students research a given nation and complete an activity chart for that country.   In this water crisis lesson students work in groups to organize and present the information for their given country. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Attributes of Renewable Energy: From Nanopossibilities to Solar Power

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore solar energy, why we use it and how we use it.  In this renewable energy lesson students compare active and solar techniques.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Efficient Homes

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students observe and gather data from a model simulated home.  In this efficiency lesson students examine the factors that influence energy efficiency, complete a lab activity then draw conclusions from their data.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Reflections:

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students analyze data from monitoring activities . They summarize, post, and present the data from activities. They tell others in the community what they've learned about local water quality.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Slush Rush

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students navigate software to help students understand the benefits of computer models.  In this computer models lesson, students use computer inquiry tools to record simulated events and how they affect objects such as houses or...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electrical Circuits

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders make an electrical switch. In this electricity lesson plan, 6th graders will make an electrical switch, a series circuit, and a parallel circuit. They explain an open and closed circuit and give examples of  series and...