Lesson Plan
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Get Ready to Rumble

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students use the Internet to examine earthquakes. They discover the theory of tectonic plates and analyze faults throughout the world. They also examine the science of seismology to explain how earthquakes are measured.
Lesson Plan
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Tornadoes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers 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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Oil Spill

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore an important role of environmental engineers by studying the Exxon Valdez oil spill. They experiment with different strategies in order to clean up their own manufactured oil spill.
Lesson Plan
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Flambe Elements

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders discuss atoms and electrons as well as atoic structure. They view atomic structure via the computer. Students watch a demonstration in which the teacher demonstrates glass tubing turning yellow in a Bunsen Burner flame....
Lesson Plan
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Three D Constellations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers address a major misconception in astronomy, the understanding of scale. The lesson is designed to introduce students to both celestial coordinates and to the first rung on the distance determination ladder, parallax.
Lesson Plan
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Cloud in the Classroom

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students watch a video about wild stallions and conduct research about wild horses and wildlife photography. Students explore the relationships between animals and humans and conduct Internet research about the treatment of wild horses...
Lesson Plan
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When Clay speaks

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners listen as the teacher reads "When Clay Sings," by Byrd Taylor. They discuss clay, and view a variety of clay items. Students watch a video clip "Interests in One of a Kind Pots." They watch a demonstration on working with clay....
Lesson Plan
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Digging Detectives

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students experience exploring an archaeological site utilizing various archaeological methods and techniques to help them synthesize multiple aspects of past life and culture to today. They explore what an archaeologist can learn from an...
Lesson Plan
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'O'opu Life Cycle

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students investigate the life cycle of the 'o'opu also known as Hawaiian gobies.  In this amphidromous living lesson, students discuss the reproductive cycle, create props and an obstacle course to demonstrate the importance of the...
Lesson Plan
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Endangered Species !: Why Are Species Endangered?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the various issues and problems faced by endangered species globally. They research the plight of endangered species, create a poster of a selected animal, and present their poster and research to the class.
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Environment: The River Classroom

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders engage in hands-on experiments and activities dealing with rivers and greenways. They also observe lectures and demonstrations by experts in water and river restoration. Students and teachers participate in canoe trips...
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The Greatest Show on Earth: The World's Smallest Animals

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars create instruments to capture different types of insects. In this The Greatest Show on Earth: The World's Smallest Animals instructional activity, students compare the attributes of certain insects and record the data on a...
Lesson Plan
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Crinoids: Flowers f the Iowa Seas

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students study the rocks and fossils associated with the geologic landscape of Iowa. In this rocks and fossils lesson, students examine fossils that would be found in the Iowa landscape that show evidence of marine invertebrates such as...
Lesson Plan
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Candy Bar Subsurface Geology

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to drawing and interpreting topographical maps. They each cut through there Jell-o mountain at regular height intervals, and trace around the shape of the Jell-o cut off at the height, overlaying the different...
Lesson Plan
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Mud Fossils

For Teachers K - 4th
Students observe real fossils. In this science lesson, students make their own mud fossils by pressing material into the mud and letting it dry in the sun for 3-4 days. Students then get the fossils out displaying their mud...
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Fire Escape

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the effects of the volcanic eruption of Nyiragongo in Congo as a springboard to exploring past examples of volcanic eruptions and their respective relief efforts.
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Weather Map

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders utilize several different types of maps to forecast weather conditions specific areas of the country. Air masses, wind, cloud types, fronts, and the pH of the rain is explored in this lesson.
Lesson Plan
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America's Energy Future

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students write a proposal to save energy resources. In this energy lesson, students research nuclear energy, coal power, petroleum, natural gas, hydroelectric power, and renewable energy. Students then debate energy issues and share...
Lesson Plan
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Stardust Delivers Comet's Clues

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the NASA test center and comet facts through an interactive program. They examine the idea if comets are predictable. They finally analyze the materials that combine to make a comet.
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For the Birds

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners examine the different types of pandemic flu viruses and virus "scares" that have occurred over the past hundred years by creating a master chart that displays the origins, transmission, symptoms, and socio-historical impact of...
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Drama in the Refuge

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students write and perform dramatic presentations about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. They select formats from puppets, plays, improvisational skits, or screened silhouette.
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Corn: An A-maizing Plant

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the corn crop. In this farming lesson, students identify which states are in the corn belt and read about the history of corn, its uses and its development and growth. Students dissect a corn kernel. Students discuss the...
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Gyrocopter - Describing Rotary Motion

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students calculate angular displacement, velocity and acceleration of gyrocopters. In this physics lesson, students compare data taken from 3 different gyrocopters. They explain how differences in construction material affect rates of...
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Food in History

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research, predict and offer solutions regarding factors that affect current or future food crops could result in economic, political or social changes.