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Writing about the climate
Students research the contributing factors to the Earth's paleoclimate. They determine the relevant climate data and use it to construct a science argument. In the process, they access data, capture images of the data plots, and...
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My Friend, The Volcano
Students describe the positive impacts of volcanic activity on marine ecosystems. For this volcano lesson students explore the process that causes volcanic activity along the Mariana and Kermadec Island Arcs.
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Virtual Field Trip
Fifth graders are introduced to the concepts of weathering and erosion. In groups, they rotate between different stations to discover how each process effects different landforms. To end the lesson, they discuss each change in the...
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Dating Popcorn
Students simulate the dating process with popcorn. In this geology lesson plan, students discuss how geologist find the age of rocks by gauging the amount of decay of radioactive elements. They have 6 bags of popcorn and each group...
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PA Watersheds, Many Ways to the Sea
Students examine the water cycle and the factors that interact with watersheds. In this watersheds lesson students describe the purification process, trace the flow of infiltrate water through aquifers, and research the Internet to...
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What is a Karst?
Students examine the process that creates limestone. In this limestone lesson students complete a worksheet and participate in a lab activity.
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Plate Tectonics
Young scholars identify the three layers of the earth: core, mantle and crust. They demonstrate knowledge of the concepts of convergent and divergent motions of the earth and an understanding of plate tectonics.
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Molecular Explorations
Students explain the processes for separating DNA from tissue and separating complex mixtures. In this exploratory lesson students complete a lab where they extract DNA.
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Humidity and Air Saturation
Students experiment with air saturation. In this earth science instructional activity, students first complete an activity which teaches humidity. Then they use the scientific method to create their own experiments to test how...
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Water, Water Everywhere
Students explore water. For this water cycle lesson, students conduct a scientific investigation that requires build a terrarium models of the earth. Students record their observations of the changes regarding water in the terrarium.
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Getting to Know Soil
Students make predictions and analyze soil. In this soil properties lesson plan, students make predictions about soil properties for various soil samples. Students examine the types of soils and record their observations. Students...
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Motions and Forces
Sixth graders investigate the construction of a magnet and the force it produces. They identify various materials as magnetic or non-magnetic, discuss the properties of magnetic properties, and conduct an experiment with a compass and...
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Space Science: A Scoop of Moon Dirt
Students discover soil characteristics and how it is formed on Earth and the Moon by examining local samples to a lunar simulant. They replicate the effects of wind erosion by scraping dry bread with sandpaper. Students use rocks and...
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Seafloor Block Model
Students construct a 3-D block model of the ocean floor to study fundamental earth processes. This is a preconstructed cut out that allows the students to put it together but then to add their own colors as well. There is an evaluation...
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Shadow Trackers
Students use online websites to inquire about the cycle of day and night. In this web based lesson, students are able to see the movement of the sun and Earth. Students can look at different parts of the Earth as if they were on the Sun...
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Photosynthesis
Sixth graders are introduced to the process of photosynthesis by discussion and then by participating in an experiment. They then answer questions as independent practice project.
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Movement of Air Diorama Activity
Young scholars make a diorama to illustrate the process of mechanical airflow. In this movement of air instructional activity, students discuss ventilation and air movement indoors. Young scholars discuss ventilation systems and study...
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World Geography: Climate Change Round Table
Students are able to explain the suspected causes of relatively recent climate changes, specifically the observed global warming. They discuss how unusual or extreme global warming disrupts the balance of the earth's geo-spheres.
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Comparing Land Views of Different Cultures
Students research various legends and write a script based on that legend. In this cultural awareness instructional activity, students read the Native American legend telling of the origin of the earth. Students analyze how...
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The Big Burp:A Bad Day in the Paleocene
Students describe the overall events that occurred during the Paleocene extinction event as well as the processes that are believed to result in global warming after group research. They infer how a global warming event could have...
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Water Cycle and Ecosystems
Pupils explore the water cycle. In this investigative instructional activity, students examine the water cycle process. They will record their observations and discuss marine and freshwater ecosystems.
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What Is an Egg Without its Shell?
Students observe osmosis, a cellular process that normally can't be observed without a microscope, and use scientific method to observe osmosis in a chicken egg.
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The Water Cycle
Students list the nine places on earth where water is found. They define the terms cycle and water cycle. Students explain how energy from the sun powers the movement of water molecules through the water cycle. They name and describe...
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The Phases of the Moon
Students sketch the different phases of the moon after exploring them on an internet program. In this moon phases lesson plan, students discuss how the Sun, Earth, and Moon are related.