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I Spy

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders play the game I Spy to help identify objects made from rock. They investigate the properties and uses of rocks and go on an I Spy search on the playground. They sort pictures according to living and nonliving objects.
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What Makes a Building Green?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the concepts of green building used in constructing or renovating a building. They conduct an interview with someone who sells green materials, or designs or implements green building plans. They work in teams to...
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Earthquakes

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders demonstrate the mathematical components of a scientific problem as well as illustrate how real world problems can be solved using math. They demonstrate math skills such as rate calculation, graphing, and linear equations.
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Travel Mug Design

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students create and develop a travel mug. They create visuals and a three dimensional infomercial. They apply an engineering design and demonstrate knowledge of thermodynamics involved in heat transfer. They illustrate Newton's Law of...
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Water Paintings

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Students use water to paint pictures outdoors. In this water painting activity, students paint pavement and observe how water evaporates. They compare painting in sunny versus shady locations. They also use sponges to observe the...
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Energy Efficiency Ambassadors

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students consider how to cut their energy use. In this physical science lesson, students investigate the connections between energy use and climate changes. Students compute the actual electrical energy consumption of 2 bulbs and...
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Energy Efficiency Ambassadors

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare two products that provide the same function but require different amounts of energy.   In this energy efficiency lesson students research and demonstrate energy efficiency in action and how it applies to...
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Photojournalism: Documenting the Four Greatest Threats to Global Sustainability

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study global sustainability by viewing photos.  In this environment instructional activity students work in groups and create their own photo gallery.
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How do people use ecosystems and their resources?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Pupils examine how natural resources are reusable, renewable or nonrenewable.  In this ecosystems lesson students see the effects humans have on ecosystems and complete an art lesson activity. 
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How Does the Moon Affect Tidal Range?

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study the phases of the moon. In this tides lesson students use the Internet to retrieve information.
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Overpopulation

For Teachers 5th - 11th
Students examine population growth and how it impacts our environment.  In this population lesson plan students identify the causes and consequences of overpopulation.
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Energy Audit

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the level of energy usage on a local and national level. Using the internet, they discover ways to conserve energy every day and how over-consumption of energy negatively affects the environment. In groups, they...
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Energy Efficiency Ambassadors

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers research and compare two products that provide the same function but require different amounts of energy to do the job. They examine and demonstrate energy efficiency and discover how it applies to different technologies...
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Celestial Photography

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students practice photographic skills and gain an awareness of photography as a scientific tool.
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Learning Lesson: The Shadow Knows I

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine the elevation of the sun to discover the changes in seasons. They observe and measure the length of their shadow. They compare this measurement to one taken four months later.
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Sunshine and Shadows

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students measure their shadows early in the morning, record direction of shadow, make marks in ground with chalk or tape, measure with ruler, and record results. Students repeat process at noon, and then later in afternoon. Students...
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Tracking Satellites Using Latitude and Longitude

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students investigate how to track satellites using latitude and longitude. They investigate what man learns from all the satellites currently being studied today. Students analyze the four basic types of satellite orbits.
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Life on a Fiery Planet

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study the effects on the evolution of human culture from volcanic events worldwide.
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Global Water Cycle & Heat Flow

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students experiment to discover how different variables affect the water cycle. They do hat flow experiments and construct a computer heat flow model.
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Comparative Stream Quality

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine water quality on a nearby stream. They collect water samples and test for various factors, including any contamination from the treatment plant, and present their information in a Powerpoint presentation.
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Invertebrates

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students identify insect body parts and look for local insect life. They create an insect using recycled material and design a classroom mural with bug facts. They study Monarch butterflies and dragonflies.
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Rubber Gardens

For Teachers K - 8th
Students recycle discarded automobile tires and create gardening sites for limited space areas.
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Exploring the Universe

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct Internet research to find information about each planet and present their findings to the class. Students research statistical information and two interesting facts about each planet, then create a multimedia...
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Educated Action

For Teachers K - 8th
Young scholars review what they already know about birds. Using the internet, they discover major issues involved with birds in Illinois. In groups, they determine what they can do to help them and contact a local agency.