Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Erosion: Slip Sliding Away

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the causes of erosion. Through several demonstrations including one using sugar cubes and warm water, they observe the effects of erosion. In groups, 4th graders conduct similar experiments and record their...
Lesson Plan
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Scale Model of Our Nearest Stars

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders calculate a light day, light hour, and light minute from the standard of a light year. After establishing the distances, a one meter scale is created to demonstrate the distance between the sun and the planets of our solar...
Lesson Plan
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We're Going on an Animal Safari!

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students take viewers on an animal safari. In this technology lesson, students research animals one would see on an African safari. Students collaborate to create a storyboard and use Flip Video Cameras to create a virtual safari. The...
Lesson Plan
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Biomes: the Threat of the Sea

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers study global warming including its causes and effects.  In this creative lesson students make posters on global warming.   
Lesson Plan
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Penguins: Sensitive Indicators

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine how penguins are affected by climate change.  In this climate change lesson students research the impact of climate change then create a poster to call awareness to it.
Lesson Plan
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Sea Level Trends ~ Ocean Front Property: An "Immerging" Market

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young oceanographers take a look at sea level data from several cities over a few centuries. They use the data to fuel a discussion about what kind of changes are taking place and the impact they are having on the coastal ecosystems....
Lesson Plan
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Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students become familiar with coal as an energy source and how it is mined.  In this coal lesson, students research the effects of coal mining on the environment. Students discuss the various problems associated with coal mining....
Lesson Plan
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Building a Permanent Human Presence in Space

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners tudy space and what it takes to be an explorer.  In this space explorer lesson students examine the characteristics of explorers and create an exploration log. 
Lesson Plan
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The Fault Line

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students use cardboard models of the North American and Pacific plates and sand to investigate what happens when there is an earthquake or movement along the boundaries of the plates.
Lesson Plan
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Exploration Yesterday and Today

For Teachers K - 4th
Students compare and contrast the voyages of early explorers with the space explorations of the present day. After reading the biographies of Benjamin Banneker and Timothy Livengood, students create a Venn Diagram comparing and...
Lesson Plan
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Atmospheric Cells

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars recognize that the sun is the source of energy driving atmosphere cells. They relate the motion of the atmospheric cells to mantle convection cells. Students recognize that the function of atmospheric cells is to move heat...
Lesson Plan
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Ocean Botttom Profile

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students interpret a graph of ocean depths and topographic features. This task assesses students' abilities to interpret figures, organize and represent data, apply knowledge of scale to a profile, and apply theoretical knowledge.
Lesson Plan
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Keep It Hot

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars design and conduct an experiment to explore the insulating abilities of different materials for keeping a liquid in a paper cup warm. A small group of lab partners test four different materials: black paper, white paper,...
Lesson Plan
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Mobile Phones

For Teachers 5th - 11th
Investigate how mobile phones impact their lives through this technology lesson that has students discuss the history of the cell phone and research how cell phones are being used in third world countries. Students create a blog for new...
Lesson Plan
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Paleo-Diving

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study sinkholes and how they are associated with paleoamerican settlements.  In this underwater exploration  lesson students explain how sinkholes are formed.
Lesson Plan
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Running Water

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders create products that feature the importance of water conservation. In this environmental stewardship lesson, 6th graders explore the water cycle and conduct on water usage. Students also research water pollution and...
Lesson Plan
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Comparing Microscopic Organisms in Fresh and Polluted Water: An Invitation To Inquiry

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners have the opportunity to develop and formulate ideas and explanations through the scientific standard of inquiry. They identify organisms by using an identification key for specific aquatic geographical area.
Lesson Plan
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Celebrate The Four Seasons

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students investigate cause and effect and compare and contrast how recurring cycles are evident in multiple aspects of their education. They answer questions in the chosen field. Students model each aspect by interpreting, perceiving and...
Lesson Plan
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Sopay Water

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders design and conduct an experiment to explore the use of several substances in removing soap from water. During this activity they work with a lab partner. They keep their own individual lab notes, after they finish, they...
Lesson Plan
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A Journey Through Our Solar System

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the concept of the solar system in our universe by constructing a model that is made to a measurable scale. Once the model is constructed it should be placed in a wide open space for observation and demonstration...
Lesson Plan
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Building Materials

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders are presented with three rocks and a variety of tools and are asked to investigate the properties of the rocks to see which rock is best for building tables and benches for a museum picnic area.
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Ancient Hunters of the Great Lakes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students describe theories on how the first humans came to America and show the evidence that supports it.  For this investigative lesson students study given material and prepare written or oral reports in their groups. 
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Creeping

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students observe, measure, and graph a model of slow down slope movement representing soil creep. This task assesses students' abilities to collect, record, and organize data, set up graph axes, plot data points, draw line graphs, apply...
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Cultural Diversity In The Classroom

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students engage in a lesson that supports the fact that Asian people are part of the educational culture in schools. The lesson includes background information for the teacher. With the completion of the unit students develop a personal...