Lesson Plan
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Take Charge!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students induce an electrical charge on various objects, and experiment with electrical repulsion and attraction. They define related vocabulary, play Bingo and complete a take-home quiz.
Lesson Plan
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Investigating Local Ecosystems

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students observe a local area for living organisms and their habitats.  In this local ecosystems activity, students complete an online field journal.  Students share their findings and sort them into categories. Students visit...
Lesson Plan
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Strange Sounds

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students investigate sound as a form of energy. In this energy, forces, and sound lesson plan, students explore how different sounds may be made as they make a variety of materials vibrate. Students observe the effects of vibrations and...
Lesson Plan
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Animal and Plant Habitats

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders write and illustrate a story. In this habitats lesson, 2nd graders learn about different types of plant and animal habitats. Students view video segments about habitats, answer comprehension questions, complete a crossword...
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A Walk in the Forest

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students explore interrelationships among plants and animals.  Students listen to Where to, Little Wombat? by Charles Fuge, and contribute words and phrases for a classroom animal and plant survival chart. Students take a walk in a...
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Plants and Animals

For Teachers K - 1st
Students find common needs between plants and animals. In this plants and animals lesson students compare that both plants and animals need food and water. They also find the differences between plant and animal needs.
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Hand Washing: I can handle it!

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders examine microorganisms. In this germs lesson, 6th graders observe and record data on the positive and negative aspects of microorganisms.  Students complete activities, view a film, and explore websites. 
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Flight

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students are introduced to the four forces of flight--drag, lift, thrust, and weight--through a variety of fun-filled flight experiments. They "fly" for short periods and evaluate factors that might either increase or decrease their...
Lesson Plan
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From Eggs to Frogs

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders receive a small container of tapioca pudding, they are to pretend that it is frog eggs. The students pretend they are birds who see the eggs, and eat some of them. They discuss what would happen if these were really frog...
Lesson Plan
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Plants and the Water Cycle

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students study the role of plants in recycling water by collecting water vapor that is emitted, or transpired, by green plant leaves. They collect and measure the water that transpires through the tiny pores of plant leaves. Afterwards,...
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Biodegradability

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study the effects of water, salt water and heat on common household materials. They separate an emulsion and show that the materials are completely recoverable and observe the effect of acetone and water on polystyrene.
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Exploring the Web of Life

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students develop a classroom definition of and explore ideas related to ecosystems. They create a food web using pictures and yarn.
Lesson Plan
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Kids and Chemicals - Facts and Laws

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the impact of everyday toxins on the health of people. They conduct a cost-benefit analysis, watch a video, conduct Internet research, complete a Synthetic Chemical Exposure Chart, and write a one-page summary.
Lesson Plan
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Arthropods at Home- Spider, Isopod, or Any Arthropod

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students design a habitat for an arthropod. In this organisms lesson plan, students read the book, A House is a House For Me. Students find an arthropod and create a terrarium.
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A Wild Chain Reaction

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore habitats. In this habitat  instructional activity, students break into groups and are labeled as a part of a habitat. Students then do an activity with yarn that shows how all of the parts are connected...
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Osmosis

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore osmosis as they watch organisms divide.  In this organism lesson, 5th graders use potatoes to experiment with the effects of salty water in the body.  Students discuss what osmosis is and record what...
Lesson Plan
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Sharks: Fact or Fiction

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders discover the truth about sharks. In this shark lesson, 2nd graders use different resources to help distinguish between fact and fiction with what they have heard about sharks. They complete an attached activity sheet.
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A Day In My Life

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students brainstorm how they can conserve energy in their daily lives. In this energy lesson plan, students discuss how they use energy and ways to conserve it.
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Using Vegetation, Precipitation, and Surface Temperature to Study Climate Zones

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students begin their examination of the climate zones found around the world. Using a software program, they identify the relationship between the vegetation, climate and temperatures of the different zones. They also plot coordinates...
Lesson Plan
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Gotta Have Energy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore energy. They discuss the types and uses of energy and research an assigned energy source. They create a "benefits versus potential environmental impacts" chart that lists energy sources and possible impacts. They...
Lesson Plan
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Acid Rain in our State

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students conduct internet research on acid rain, a serious environmental problem. They examine the pH levels of rainwater for their state, collect data from their community and investigate the causes and solutions for acid rain.
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SKIN CARE: ACNE

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the underlying causes, prevention, and treatment of acne.
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Tornadoes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the characteristics of a tornado. They practice using new vocabulary and participate in a question and answer session. They use the internet to gather more specific information.
Lesson Plan
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Marine & Aquatic Habitats Activities - Terrestrial Forests vs. Kelp Forests

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss concept and specificity of habitats, both marine and terrestrial, list similarities and differences in the habitats of a kelp forest and a terrestrial forest, compare types of organisms that occupy corresponding types of...