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VARVES: Dating Sedimentary Strata: Geology, Paleontological Patterns

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Young scholars count the number of varves (annual layers of sediment) in shale billets, taken from the Green River Formation in Wyoming. The count is then extended to reflect the entire 260 meters of sediments where the billets originated.
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Human Evolution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars investigate hominid evolution to learn the difference between a relative and an ancestor. They study the emergence of bipedalism and the related physical adaptations and cultural ramifications, and chart patterns of...
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Changing of the Guard

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students reflect on their knowledge of democracy. After reading an article, they examine current plans for the placement of a democracy in Iraq. In groups, they research past regime changes and democratization attempts and discuss the...
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Racial Inequality: Remnants of a Troubled Time

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students watch the Discovery program "Racial Inequality: Remnants of a Troubled Time" then examine the ratification of the 14th Amendment and the Plessy v. Ferguson decision. They research one of three events that tested Brown v. Board...
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Facial Studies Through Creation of a Face Jug

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars study facial expressions and create a face jug. In this facial study lesson, students look at images of face jugs through history before drawing thumbnails of facial images. They use the coil method to make a jug, and use...
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Non-Newtonian Fluids

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students will use water, cornstarch, eggs, and more to explore the different states of matter. They will make observations of an unknown substance called "Oobleck" and test its liquid and solid properties. This would be a great lesson to...
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Discovering Gravity: What Goes Up Must Come Down

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students observe falling objects. In this instructional activity about gravity, students work in groups to determine how objects fall. Students determine speed of objects falling and whether weight is a factor. Students understand the...
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Documents and Symbols and American Freedom

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students complete a unit of lessons on the documents, symbols, and famous people involved in the founding of the U.S. government. They create a personal bill of rights, write a found poem, design a flag, conduct research, and role-play...
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Science in the Past

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars research the science of ancient Native American people. They compare native science to the present time. They create a project that they can present to their classmates. The project could be a report, poster, Power Point...
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A Multimedia Science Project: Minorities and Women in Science

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders create a multimedia presenttation written presentation, and oral presentation detailing the contributions of three minority or female scientists throughout history.
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Earth's History

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders investigate how fossils are formed. They analyze a photo of the Grand Canyon, and create a fossil cast and mold using plaster of paris and shells.
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Exodus: History Writ Large

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine the history of the Exodus and life of Moses. In this Exodus lesson, students watch "Exodus: History Writ Large", research the life of Moses, and author books that depict scenes from Mose's life.
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Be a "Fossil Detective" an Effective Tool in Earth Science Education

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students examine the geological time scale: the Earth is ancient; time can be divided into periods based on its fossil content.
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Science of War

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders, from an environmental perspective, study the pros and cons of war. Distinctions between characteristics of biological, chemical and nuclear threats and the impact of economic development are considered.
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The First Farmers

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Pupils investigate how constant irrigation, with repeated evaporation of water eventually ruined farm land in southern Mesopotamia. They discuss the development of irrigation.
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Earth's History

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders study the law of superposition by creating models of fossils in layers of rock. They examine how fossils are usually found in sedimentary rock which leads to the study of geologic history in those rocks.
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Life Story of an Artifact

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students write about an artifact that they are studying. In this artifacts lesson plan, students analyze details of the artifact and answer short answer questions about it.
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Are You One of Us?

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Young scholars investigate how scientists sort and classify organisms. In this sorting and classifying lesson, students examine what systematics are as tools that scientists use. They examine images of invertebrates and sort them while...
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Biography of a River

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the importance of rivers. They conduct research on a select river, and develop a river biography that includes a century report, description, interviews, and an epitaph in the form of a Cinquain.
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The ABC's of Artifacts

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students create their own ABC book about artifacts. In this artifact lesson, students read ABC History Mystery and review the artifacts pictured in the book. They create their own ABC book with each student working on a letter. 
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Public Lands: Hidden Histories

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify the economic, scientific, recreational, and spiritual values of public lands. They interpret First Nations quotes that demonstrate the unique relationship between First Nations and the land. Students identify important...
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Modeling the Process of Mining Silicon Through a Single Displacement/Redox Reaction

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study silicon and where it comes from.  In this solar mining lesson students complete an Internet search of mining and a lab activity. 
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Developing Civilizations and the Role of Rice

For Teachers 5th
Student investigate how civilizations developed. In this rice farming lesson, 5th graders explore how rice cultivation changed through different civilizations. Students gain knowledge about different types of rice, where it's grown and...
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Principles of Flight

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the principles of flight. In this flight lesson, students construct a model plane and investigate the forces acting on the flier. They will measure the thrust and calculate the stored energy.

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