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The Demographic Transition-A Contemporary Look at a Classic Model
Students evaluate and apply models to explain changes in global demographic patterns, and use their assessments to predict future needs.
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Building a Pill Bug Palace
Students make "pets" of isopods (potato bugs) to determine their preferred environment and food sources. They record their results on a bar graph and in a scientific report.
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Boyle's Law
Students work in small groups and use a hand-held vacuum pump with a balloon under the dome with some air. Another deflated balloon is attached to the end where the air goes out. As the air is drawn out of the dome the first balloon with...
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Magical Metamorphosis
Sixth graders compare and contrast incomplete and complete metamorphosis using a Venn Diagram. They predict, observe, measure, and record data on the life cycle of mealworms. Students write and illustrate the life cycle of the mealworm....
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Understanding Cloud Formation
Students view a demonstration that simulates cloud formation. They read a poem about clouds, participate in a class demonstration using warm water and ice and write a paragraph summarizing their observations.
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Weather Conditions During the Spring Monarch Migration
Students keep detailed weather records during the spring migration of the monarch butterfly. To keep track of the weather, students utilyze weather reports and instuments such as anemometers, compasses, thermometers and rain gauges.
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Ice Melting
Students design investigations to test various materials to prevent heat gain in frozen water. The task assess students' knowledge of scientific inquiry including the following skills: observation, data collection, measurement,...
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No Bias Allowed
Young scholars differentiate graphical representations looking for the bias. They use a systematic process in order to solve problems. Students explain how a problem is solved and the steps involved. Even deeper than this is giving the...
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Comparison of Snow Cover on Different Continents
Students use the Live Access Server (LAS) to form maps and a numerical text file of snow cover for each continent on a particular date. They analyze the data for each map and corresponding text file to determine an estimate of snow cover...
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Heat Loss
Middle schoolers comprehend how heat loss is affected by exposed surface area. They decide what type of and how many data to
collect. Students decide how the results should be presented. They make a series of accurate observations
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Working Watermelon
You're going to wish you had a watermelon for this lesson! Class members read about watermelons and make a salad in class to sample. They also perform estimates, measurements and calculations on a watermelon. They predict what percentage...
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Let's Take a Chance!
Students investigate probability and the chance of an even happening. In this algebra lesson, students incorporate their knowledge of probability to solve problems and relate it to the real world. They learn to make decisions based on data.
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Exploring Ecosystems
Fourth graders investigate ecosystems. In this ecosystem lesson, 4th graders explore producers, consumers, and decomposers and study the interdependence of each.
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Observing Atherosclerosis
Students develop a model to visually observe the change in blood flow rates between healthy and unhealthy arteries. They calculate data that they have collected and graph their results. They determine the relationships the flow of...
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Planning My Vacation Online
Students use a variety of resources to decide on a vacation destination. They locate three points of interest, a hotel, and two restaurants at their destination.Students obtain driving directions for their trip, create a trip budget, and...
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Does Weight Affect Drag?
Young scholars investigate how weight affects a parachute's rate of fall. In this investigative lesson plan students test parachutes, average results and conclude what makes a faster descent.
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Lake Ice Out Lessons
Students explore the greenhouse effect. In this environment lesson, students describe how "ice out" affects animals and plants who live in a Maine lake. Students graph "ice out" data and make predictions about the upcoming...
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Using the Very, Very Simple Climate Model in the Classroom
Learners study the relationship between the average global temperature and carbon dioxide emissions. In this weather activity students develop a test scenario using a model then read and interpret graphs of data.
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Seismic Calendar
Students discover how often earthquakes happen in a region of their choice. In this science lesson, students use online resouces to help them do their investigations. Students make their own map of their region and show how many...
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Orbital Motion
Pupils use a formula to measure the eccentricity of an ellipse, then state Kepler's Law of Elliptical Orbits. They predict the solar energy received at different positions in a planet's orbit.
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Projectile Motion (or You Bet Your Grade)
Students experiment with the velocity of a spring. In this velocity lesson, students conduct trials in order to determine the initial velocity of a spring. They stretch the spring different amounts and fire it both horizontally and...
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Erosion
Students design and conduct an open-ended investigation using a variety of earth materials to answer a questions posed by the teacher: How does the erosion of sand compare with the erosion of gravel? After producing evidence that...
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Mapping the Blue Part
Eighth graders determine the location of specific features of the stimulated ocean floor. The features include the continental shelf, continental slope, an ocean trench, and a mid-oceaniz ridge.
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Exploring Phases of Matter
Students discuss and experiment with the phases of water. In this phases of matter lesson, students recognize the different states of matter. Students measure and record changes and understand when the state changes.