Lesson Plan
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Coastal Biodiversity of South Africa

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students investigate the biodiversity found along the coast of South Africa. They conduct research using a variety of resources. They use the information in order to write lab reports with the data. The lesson can be adapted to other...
Lesson Plan
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US Historical Climate: Excel Statistical

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students import US Historical Climate Network mean temperature data into Excel from a station of their choice. They are guided through the activity on how to use Excel for statistical calculations, graphing, and linear trend estimates.
Lesson Plan
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Using Science Skills to Investigate Japanese Quail

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore Japanese Quail. They generate and record scientific questions about the quail. Students gather information from various sources and record their data. They compose an inquiry report and include it in a portfolio.
Lesson Plan
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Petrology in the Field and Laboratory

For Teachers 12th - Higher Ed
Students collect samples in the field, analyze them using various tools and instruments, then present their results and interpretations. They examine igneous and metamorphic rocks in detail and interpret petrologic data.
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Rainforest Deforestation and the Water Cycle

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students create terrariums (mini rainforests). They observe and discuss the life processes that occur in their terrariums and how changes in these processes affect the plants and organisms inside. They collect and graph data and present...
Lesson Plan
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Measuring the Speed of a Wave

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students create an experiment in which they measure the speed of a wave and record the data in a graph. They work in small groups to write the procedure for the experiment and share it with another group for cross checking of the...
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Stream Gages and GIS

For Teachers Higher Ed
students interpret recent regional-scale climate events based on current stream flow, monitor changes in time, and to consider additional interpretations that could be derived if other data were in map form.
Lesson Plan
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The Breathtaking Nature of the Urban Explosion, Part 2

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore ozone levels. They measure the concentrations of ground-level ozone in the atmosphere. Students observe changes in the concentrations of ozone over time. Students complete a data sheet to record ozone readings over a...
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Self Portrait, What Nerve!

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students conduct an experiment to determine the distance between touch receptor fields in parts of the right-hand side of the body. They enter data into the data table.
Lesson Plan
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How Fast Is that Rocket?

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders calculate the speed of a falling object using measurements from a falling rocket. They report data from their data sheet to the teacher to record on the board or on the overhead transparency and discuss the results with...
Lesson Plan
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Sea Floor Spreading II

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students import ocean bathymetry data from text files. They then graph these observations along with model predictions to assess the model's ability to simulate observed topographic features of the North Atlantic. Students use Excel to...
Lesson Plan
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Discovering the Structure of the Atom

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students investigate atomic and nuclear structure of matter by researching historical atomic theories. Students examine Rutherford's studies and discover that many scientific conclusions change over time as new data is collected.
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Groundwater Pump Test

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students observe groundwater flowing to a pump, changes in groundwater table as a result of pumping, and the quantity and quality of water in the groundwater system. Students must graph and interpret their data, and quantify orders of...
Lesson Plan
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Sea Floor Spreading II

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students import ocean bathymetry data form either the topex web site or text files. They then graph these observations along with model predictions to assess the model's ability to sumulate the observed topographic features of the North...
Lesson Plan
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Pixel Transmission

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students develop code systems to transmit information between groups. They explore, explain and apply techniques used to transmit remote sensing data to better understand remote sensing images.
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Gyrocopter - Describing Rotary Motion

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students calculate angular displacement, velocity and acceleration of gyrocopters. In this physics lesson, students compare data taken from 3 different gyrocopters. They explain how differences in construction material affect rates of...
Lesson Plan
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Tree Study

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students measure the lengths of provided leafs to the nearest millimeter. Students identify trends in the data as well as sourced of inaccuracy and formulate additional questions that could be investigated to enhance their understanding.
Lesson Plan
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Memory/Physiology Lab Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars investigate the nervous system and how physical distractions influence mental performance. They work in pairs as a researcher and subject and memorize a series of words with no distractions. After repeating the list of...
Lesson Plan
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Graphing

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders identify the different graphs used in science. In this graphing lesson, 7th graders analyze the three kinds of graphs. They construct a graph that best describes a given data.
Lesson Plan
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Class Final Report - Global Sun Temperature Project

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students reflect on the data they have analyzed during the Global Sun Temperature Project. They use the project website as a resource for their observations, draft a class report and post it on the Internet.
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Traffic Watch with a Palm

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students, in groups, interpret data about traffic using Palm technology.
Lesson Plan
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MAKE IT FLY

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students utilize the process of scientific inquiry and technological design to explain thrust, weight, lift and drag in flight. They design an "airplane" to test the "mechanics" of flight. In addition, they brainstorm and sketch a design...
Lesson Plan
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Radiation and Color

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders explore the relationship between color and heat absorption by measuring the temperature change of water in differently colored test tubes as they are exposed to a heat lamp. They work in small groups to collect data and...
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Swings

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars investigate variables which may seem to affect the movement of a pendulum, or "swing."They interpret their observations and apply the scientific principles to develop explanations and solve a new problem.