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Lesson Six: Discovering the Power (Point) of Presentation

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars prepare multimedia presentations.  In this computer technology lesson, students use PowerPoint and other multimedia sources to compose individual presentations.  Young scholars complete an interactive tutorial on...
Lesson Plan
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Types Of Nebulae

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore the different types of nebulae that can be found in the solar system. They view a PowerPoint presentation about the material and identify each nebulae as it is presented. Students also discuss the life cycle of a...
Lesson Plan
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What Color is Chlorophyll?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners observe the interactions of chlorophyll and light. They develop and form their own testable hypotheses. Students predict the color of chlorophyll in various types of plants.
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Healthy Hearts

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students research the basic concepts of heart health and disease and become an expert in an area as it relates to the heart and circulatory system. They prepare a multimedia presentation of their findings.
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Strength of Water

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students perform experiments using flexible bottles of water and eyedroppers partially filled and placed in the bottle. They record what happens when they tighten the bottle lid and squeeze the bottle.
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Electric Car: American Industry and Innovation

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study how an electric car operates.  In this electric car lesson students assemble an electric car motor from parts from an internal combustion engine.
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Magnetic Discovery Bottle

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Pupils examine how to conduct simple investigations and use simple equipment to gather data.  In this magnet lesson plan students decide what types of objects are attracted to magnets. 
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Seed Detectives

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students examine seed coats. In this biology lesson, students look at pictures of magnified seed coats, then use hand-help magnifiers or microscopes to look at seed coats on their own.
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EXPLORING OUR HUMAN BODIES

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students observe and investigate the human skeletal and muscle systems. They become aware of the versatility of movement as well as gain experience through the use of diagrams and hands on activities. An extensive vocabulary is covered...
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Heat Up the Floating Plates

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders research the connection between the convection currents within the mantle of the earth and the moving of Earth's plates. A connection to lessons at previous grade levels on the rock cycle and important background...
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Walk a Mile for a Burger?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students are introduced to the pedometer, and use this tool to associate physical activity (physical energy) with calories burned (chemical energy). They comprehend the making and burning of energy.
Lesson Plan
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How is Lightning Formed

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students research lightning paying particular attention to how it is formed, where it is most likely to occur, and how most people struck by lightning survive.
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Orienting a Photovoltaic Cell

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the optimum angle for orienting a solar collector relative to the rays of incoming sunlight. They review equinoxes, solstices, and various locational ideas before students investigate using meters, light sources, and...
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Lightning

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Young scholars investigate lightning. In this lightning lesson, students demonstrate how static electricity is in the air by observing how a balloon reacts to a charge.
Lesson Plan
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Alexander Graham Bell's Patent for the Telephone and Thomas Edison's Patent for the Electric Lamp

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read a short biographical account about Bell and student B about Edison. Ask each pair to exchange information and determine what qualities these inventors shared. Ask students if they think all inventors share these qualities.
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Plate Tectonic - Volcanoes Lab

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders create analogs for lava and magma in experiments.
Interactive
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There Is/Are - Counting Stars

For Students 4th - 6th
In this counting stars worksheet, students fill in the blanks to a passage, complete the questions, and write sentences with possessive forms. Students complete 3 activities.
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Simple Machines

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students investigate simple machines. In this simple machines lesson, students explore how tools increase productivity and make life easier. Students experiment with simple tools and discover the parts of each tool.
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Chemical and Physical Changes

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate different gas behaviors. In this chemistry lesson, 8th graders describe how changing volume and temperature affect gas particles motion. They collect data and make a generalization about these variables'...
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Celebrating the Smithsonian's Birthday

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine online objects from the Smithsonian website and use them as subjects and inspiration for creative writing exercises.
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How Much Radiation is Around You?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners examine the use, misuse and fear of radiation. They read an article about radiation on food and discuss the positives and negatives of this process. They answer questions to complete the activity.
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The Write Thing to Do

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students examine the proper way to write formal business letters. Students apply the skill to write letters to appropriate environmental protection agencies.
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Wind Dynamics and Forests

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students perform experiments to explore differences in wind speed and forest density. Through experimentation and observation, students realize that changes in vegetation affect the atmosphere and wind conditions. They create a model...
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Atomic Age Critical Thinking

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research and discuss issues surrounding the atomic bomb and the concerns it raised and the consequences of dropping the atomic bombs on Japan. A variety of sample questions are provided to engage discussion.