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Comparing Data
Eighth graders create a survey, gather data and describe the data using measures of central tendency (mean, median and mode) and spread (range, quartiles, and interquartile range). Students use these measures to interpret, compare and...
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World Geography: Global Interdependence
High schoolers are able to discuss the theory of climate change. They identify examples of how climate change impacts the earth's geo-spheres. Students are able to use the example of climate change to describe the interdependence of...
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Not So Neutral Views
Students explore ways to use indicators to distinguish between acids and bases. They conduct an experiment to model and discuss the harmful effect of acid rain in our living and non-living environment.
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Fish and Oxygen
Students explore what factors affect population dynamics, identify factors affecting fish populations, and use Stella to model how dissolved oxygen affects fish populations.
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Time for Design
Students are introduced to the design process used in engineering. They compare and contrast this process with the steps followed in the scientific method. Students then participate in a brainstorming session that asks them to design a...
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What Is It?
Play the game of Tag and differentiate between plants and animals. Explore the characteristics of plants. Identify the major parts of plants (e.g., seeds, stem, pistil) and describe their basic functions. Compare the requirements of some...
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Natural Disasters
Young scholars create an expressive painting documenting their experience of a storm. They create a slide show presentation comparing and contrasting the impact and the response to a natural disaster in the 19th century with the...
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Growing a Lawn
Students research plant growth. In this plant growth lesson, students explore the needs of plants. Students compare and contrast grass and broadleaf plants and grow a miniature lawn in a cup of soil. Resources are provided.
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Making a Comet in the Classroom
Learners study comets and how Halley's comet was created. In this space lesson students create their own comets using dry ice.
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Let's Take a Rock Apart!
Students examine a crushed rock and sort the minerals they find in that rock by color and other properties.
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Growing A Coral Skeleton
Learners research the growth of coral. In this coral polyps lesson, students simulate the growth of coral by using available materials to grow crystals. Learners record observations in a scientific journal.
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What Does it Take to be a Survivor? Part One
Young scholars explore marine animal adaptation. In this introductory ocean life biology lesson, students access prior knowledge by participating in a whole class "thought swap." Young scholars form two lines, respond to a prompt from...
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Micro-Ecosystems
Students create a sustainable, self-contained ecosystem in a ten-gallon aquarium.
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Lemon Batteries Revised
Fifth graders investigate how chemical energy in food and batteries is potential or stored energy. They discuss how batteries function, and create a class list of different forms of energy. Students then create a lemon battery that...
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Chemical Reaction Rates
Students observe demonstrations to show factors that affect rates of chemical reactions. In this rates of chemical reactions lesson, students investigate how catalysts, reactant concentrations, temperature and surface area affect the...
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Web of Life Game: Trout
Students explore the concept of food webs. In this food web lesson, students demonstarte the connection between species. Students use a ball of string show how the food web works, then have a class discussion.
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Hermit Crabs in the Classroom
Students interact with hermit crabs in the their classroom. In this hermit crab instructional activity, students handle and observe hermit crabs while learning about their habitats and how to treat animals. They watch how the animals...
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Investigating a Fresh Fish
Fourth graders investigate the anatomy of a fish. In this adaptations lesson, 4th graders look at fresh fish and identify their adaptations and decide where they think the fish may live. Students draw and label the fish and its features.
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Endangered Relationships
Students study the interrelationship between the horseshoe crab and red knot. In this ecology lesson plan, students explain why several species became extinct. They research about endangered species found in their region.
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Stewardship of Yosemite National Park
Students devise a plan that would be true to John Muir's spirit of stewardship toward Yosemite. They analyze a core map to determine the original plan and usage of the park and compare the original plan to a current park map.
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Microbes and Our Food
Young scholars investigate foodborne illnesses and involved microbes. They identify major pathogens and then research and explain how they contaminate foods and how people are affected.
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Mystery Powders
Fifth graders evaluate the physical properties of 5 powders. Each powder is subject to different conditions. They describe each observation as with a chemical change or a physical change.
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The Role of Density in Sinking or Floating: Relational Causality
Students watch the teacher do a demonstration of density with diet and regular soda. Note: try this first, as different types of artificial sweetener have different densities. Students discuss density and volume. They discuss "Relational...