University of Minnesota
Virtual Neurons
It's electric! Young anatomists use Virtual Neurons software to build, control, and analyze complex nerve circuits within the body. Colorful and packed with content, class members enjoy interacting with the nervous system at a personal...
University of Minnesota
Makes Me Sweat
Never let them see you sweat ... unless you can't help it! Scholars design an experiment to determine the effects of stress on the body. They monitor sweat production under different conditions and relate the response to the function of...
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Sugar Bush Sap Production - Human Environmental Impact on Sap Sand
Eleventh graders compare the amount of sugar sand present in tree sap. In this environmental science instructional activity, 11th graders measure different tree circumference. They prepare a report and share findings in class.
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Human Evolution
Students make and use observations of Laetoli footprints to provide clues to life in the past. They collect and analyze data to study the relationship between foot length and body height.
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William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying
Students analyze William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying. In this literature analysis lesson, students compare a modern novel and play. Students analyze Faulkner's interior monologues. Students write a paper about the ways As I Lay Dying is or...
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Using My Senses
Second graders identify human and insect senses and where they are located on the body. They maintain a cricket terrarium for experimentation. They realize the value of the senses by observing, recording, discussing and drawing conclusions.
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Radiation Reassessed
Students investigate the dangers of radiation by exploring recent nuclear tragedies. In this scientific debate lesson plan, students define the idea of radiation "half life" and determine if low doses of radiation are truly damaging to...
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Waterwheel Work
Students investigate the history of the waterwheel and common uses for water turbines today. They construct an experimental waterwheel using a two-liter plastic bottle, measure the rate of revolution of a waterwheel, and complete a...
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USING YEAST AS AN ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT MEASUREMENT TOOL
Students realize the importance of organisms as standards of measurement and experimentation.The first lab is a simple survival curve that demonstrates the effects of UV light on cells. The second lab looks at repair mechanisms of the...
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The Working of Scientists
Students define and explain the basic concepts of experimental design. In this scientific method lesson students complete a hands on activity, develop and present proposals to test their explanations.
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Trouble in the Troposphere
Students create graphs using NASA data, compare ozone levels of several U.S. cities, analyze and evaluate the data and predict trends based on the data, and discuss and describe how human activities have modified Earth's air quality.
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Hypothermia on the High Seas
Learners identify and present the effects on humans when the body temperature falls, demonstrate and explain how the body loses heat, and understand hypothermia and cold water survival techniques.
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Trouble in the Troposphere
Middle schoolers Use data sets from MY NASA DATA to produce graphs comparing monthly and yearly ozone averages of several U.S. cities. They analyze and evaluate the data and predict trends based on the data. In addition, they discuss and...
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Introduction to Organ Systems
Students dissect frogs to study the body's organs /organ systems and to think critically about them. This 2-part lesson involves mapping the human body's organs & then dissecting a frog.
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Gravity
Students explore gravitational force. Through experimentation, students observe the acceleration of objects when they fall. They examine air resistance, and how the human body is attracted to the earth. Students discover the...
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How Shocking
Students describe the characteristics of polymers and rubbers and how they improve human lives. In this shock lesson students build a shock absorbing structure using different polymer materials.
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Methods of Heat Transfer
Eighth graders discuss the forms of heat transfer that relate to the human body. Discussion revolves around the ability of different designs of hats to change the rate of heat transfer to and from the body. Students then experiment...
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Our Sense of Taste
Students explore the relationship between the senses of taste and smell using a blindfold taste test. In partners, they taste different foods with their noses plugged and unplugged. They create a life size outline of the human body to...
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Materials and Process
Students examine the variety of materials an artist uses when drawing and consider the impact of the material choice. In this art analysis instructional activity, students consider the different materials used to make various drawings....
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Keep It Clean…Or Pass It Around
Students identify the harmful and beneficial effects of bacteria. In this biology lesson, students test the effectiveness of antibacterial cleaners. They create a presentation based on researched information and experimental results.
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Which Muscles?- Olympic Learn and Play Sports
In this math, science, and physical education worksheet, students brainstorm and study about the muscles that are used while participating in different Olympic sports. They color the muscle groups of the body by follow the directions...
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Body Voyager
Students explore the significance of a resting and an active heart rate. In this heart lesson students chart data on their pulse and draw a diagram of the heart.
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21st Century Medicine: Nerves of Steel
Learners model a sarcomere's action, they gain a kinesthetic and visual understanding of muscle contraction. They use this exercise stimulates the production of myosin and actin. Students use two colors of clay, make a "sandwich" of...
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The Fall of the Ruler
Students determine their reaction time using a ruler. In this Physics activity, students calculate the class' means and variances. They plot the graph and analyze if there are outliers.