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Jello Cells
Students create a three dimensional model of a cell. In this cellular structure lesson, students use gelatin, plastic bags, plastic containers, and fruit to construct a model of a cell. They compare the cells structures and stack them to...
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Wetland Food Webs
Students study life science. In this food webs and food chains comparison lesson, students examine the wetlands to discover the relationships that exist between the animals that live there. They participate in group activities and...
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Where Do Birds Live? Cavity Nesters of the Watsonville Wetlands
Students compare and contrast primary and secondary cavity nesters. In this life science lesson, students explore the different types of nests that birds make. They play a team game to apply what they learned.
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Ecology of The Sonoran Desert Soil Crusts: Biology, Geology
This lesson is designed after research done on the ecology of soil lichen in the Tucson Basin area during the summers of 1997 and 1998. Its purpose is to guide learners into adopting the problem solving thinking of ecologists. The lesson...
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A Phylogenetic Perspective for the Cladistically Challenged
High schoolers observe the structures of skulls as presented in drawings, and determine which are most closely related to the skull of the mosasaur.
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Disappearing Water
Learners explore the water cycle. In this earth science lesson, students observe and measure water in a closed container and in an open container. Learners record their observations and compare their sets of data to draw conclusions...
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Genome: A Tour and Genetic Disorder Brochure
Students use the Internet to gather information about genetics, then research a genetic disorder. In this biology lesson plan, students listen to an interview with a geneticist, watch an animation of "chromosome coiling", then research...
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Memory and Learning
Students identify parts of the brain and what each part does. In this brain anatomy lesson, students participate in activities that focus on the job of each part of the brain co connect the task to the brain section. Students make a...
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Our Sun and the Four Seasons
Learners discover the relationship between the sun and Earth. In this weather lesson, students examine the effect of the sun on the Earth's seasons. Learners complete a weather activity using props to simulate the sun and...
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Convection and Wind
Learners use water, beakers, hot plates, paper dots, and goggles to participate in a hands on activity where they see how a convection current creates wind. In this convection current lesson plan, students participate in a hands on...
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It's Rainin', It's Pouring
Students take a quick examine part of the water cycle, and the combined gas laws. The lesson lead them through the conditions necessary for cloud formation and allow them to create clouds in three different hands-on activities.
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What's Wrong With Nuclear Power, Anyway?
Students see that the production and use of nuclear energy has been both praised and condemned as a source of electrical power for our daily living. They examine the reasons for the conflict of opinions in our society.
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Adopt An Insect
This lesson plan combines a creative building activity with analyzing a butterfly photograph and using problem solving to complete the puzzle. It blends art and science very well. Students will learn and enjoy the process. The extension...
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Pass the Jug
Students discuss water rights. In this science lesson, students simulate an exercise whereby they begin to understand the meaning of water allocation and limited water supplies by actually passing out water from a jug.
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Team Building
Students participate in various activities to become more successful as a team member. In this team building lesson, students discuss team jobs versus individual ones. Students must work together to complete activities such...
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Biologically Altered (B/A Fish)
Students complete a variety of activities as they examine the ethics involved in biologically altering fish. They hold a mock town meeting in which they determine whether or not a transgenic aquaculture should be allowed to locate in...
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Lamarck Is Dead!
Learners read Lamarck's obituary and respond to questions.Students can work individually or in small groups.This activity can be used at the beginning of an evolution unit.
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Finding Balance
Young scholars examine the relationships between force, mass and balance through the lens of clay sculpture. They discuss the definitions and concepts behind Newton's Third Law of motion then individually apply these principles to the...
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Earthquakes and Volcanoes
In this earthquakes and volcanoes learning exercise, students use an on line source to answer questions about earthquakes around the world, the origins of volcanoes and the creation of lava tube caves.
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Air Pressure
Students perform experiments that demonstrate the characteristics of air pressure. In this physics lesson, students participate and observe experiments using simple household items. The results of these experiments are used to help the...
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Biodiversity Count
Students count the number of species they can find in a five minute block of time in both an urban lawn and natural, remnant forest area. They are introduced to the concept of low and high biodiversity areas and engage in a discussion...
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Clearly Classified
Young scholars review the classification system for living organisms and apply it the classification of insects and flowers in the still life by Ambrosius Bosschaert. They create a chart classifying the animals and plants in the painting...
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So You Think You're Tough
Fourth graders learn how to classify animals. In this invertebrates lesson, 4th graders discuss how we classify thinks into groups and move into a discussion about classifying animals. Students learn about the differences between...
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Using Color as Defense
Students explore mimicry and crypsis, participate in hands-on predator-prey activity, and practice calculating averages and graph results in histogram.