Curated OER
Investigating Factors That Affect Rate of Enzyme Action
Students explore the properties of enzymes. In this chemical reaction lesson plan, students explore enzymes through a Web-quest and investigative study. Students will collect and summarize data and create a class presentation. This...
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The Grand Canyon
Learners investigate how dams help and hurt the ecology of an area. In this Grand Canyon lesson, students research the Glen Canyon Dam and why it flooded in 1996. Learners create a pros and cons list about dams and write a...
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The American Prairie
Students design an animal. In this prairie instructional activity, students learn about physical and behavioral adaptation, locate the Great Plains on a map, and design an animal that would be perfectly adapted for life on the...
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Marine Protected Areas (MPA)
Ninth graders explain the purpose of MPA's. In this biology lesson, 9th graders identify MPA's in Southern California. They simulate coastal sampling using candy from two buckets. Students analyze their results and share it with the class.
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Penguins: Sensitive Indicators
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.
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Supermarkets, Sustenance and Sustainability
Students investigate jungles and the people who depend upon them. In this sustainability lesson, students research wild life conservation and discover the importance of a jungle to Amazonian people. Students create a group...
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Sea to Sky
Students investigate the Earth's major landforms and how they occur, and how engineers apply this knowledge for the design of transportation systems, mining, and measuring natural hazards. They listen to a teacher-led lecture, match...
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Water Pollution Hot-Spots
Students complete internet research in small groups to identify types of water pollution, spotlight water pollution hot-spots, and design a plan for water prevention.
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Erosion Explosion
Ninth graders explore soil erosion. Through a class discussion, they examine soil conservation methods. Given a potted plant, 9th graders observe the effects of erosion when water is poured over the soil. Students brainstorm terms...
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A Tour in Sustainability
Students explore two LEED certified green buildings. They examine what is the LEED certification process and what constitutes a green building. They tour via the internet two LEED certified green buildings, while comparing and...
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Japan: Images of a People
Students learn the geography of Japan and its location in reference to the United States.
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Discover the World of Machines
Students participate in a project which incorporates science with reading, writing, social studies, and technology. Through several activities over a 15 day period, they explore the computer, digital camera, computer software programs...
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Getting the "Yuck" Out
Students examine various types of household materials for their usefulness as filters. They work together in teams to design a filtration system that produces the cleanest water in the shortest time.
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Natural Inquirer Scientific Process Module
Students investigate the attributes of scientists. In this scientific process lesson, students participate in a classroom activity that requires them to describe the jobs of scientists. Students discuss their findings.
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Dino Hunt
Learners use the Internet to gather information about dinosaurs. They practice navagating through the different websites. They also practice listening to directions and also explore how to fill out a KWL chart.
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Water Awareness Portfolio Instructions
Students participate in a water awareness portfolio. In this water conservation lesson students create a portfolio to help make them aware of current water conditions.
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GMOs: Should We Grow Them?
Students examine the ethics of biotechnology and genetically modifying various organisms. They complete various activities and labs on GMOs and then write a position paper regarding their individual opinions on the subject.
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The Meat-Packing Industry in Chicago During the Progressive Era
Students examine maps showing the hog and corn distribution of the United States. In groups, they research the reasons why Chicago became the natural hub for meat-packing processing in the United States. They examine changes in...
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A River Runs Through It
Students solve an environmental problem on a local river. They use their knowledge of river ecology to develop an action plan. They use river-monitoring equipment to collect river- monitoring data, including biological, physical, and...
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Volcanoes In Japan
Sixth graders study the characteristics of volcanoes in this unit. They apply the research to the study of three volcanoes in Japan. They complete mapwork, identify indicators of impending volcanic activity, and describe the dangers...
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Trade and the Global Economy
Students discuss the role of trade and a global economy. As a class, they identify the costs and benefits of trade and how it is being questioned in today's society. They discover what is imported to the United States and the role of...
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Smokey's Message
Students list and discuss positive and negative effects of wildland fire. They discuss relationships among ecosystems and fire. They participate in role-playing activities related to wildland fire management.
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Hypoxia and the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico
Middle schoolers investigate the causes of hypoxia, the characteristics of a watershed, and how the actions and management practices of people can both negatively and positively affect aquatic ecosystems.
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Can You Swim in Chocolate Water?
Third graders discss water pollution and its affects on animals. They watch a demonstration using a plastic fish in a fish bowl in which various types of water pollution are illustrated.