Curated OER
Follow Those Tracks
Students observe a picture containing patterns of animal tracks, infer what might have happened based upon the pattern of tracks, and write a story describing what might have happened.
Curated OER
Three D Constellations
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.
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Me And My Shadow
Students investigate the concept of a shadow. They design a tool to create shadows for an experiment. They make observations and record the size and shape of shadows. The lesson contains background information for the teacher to deliver...
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Hurricanes and Tornadoes (Grade 4-8)
Students investigate the concepts of hurricanes and violent weather conditions. In this violent weather lesson, students access an Internet site and watch a video about how air masses behave, how a tornado forms, how hurricanes form, and...
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Cell Size Changes
High schoolers examine the behavior of living cells treated with different types of stimuli. They watch an online movie, examine wet mount slides under a microscope, take an online quiz, and analyze data.
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Light And Shadows
Fourth graders explore the properties of shadows. In pairs they trace each other's shadows in chalk and re-draw their shadow outlines every three hours, design their own shadow investigation, and complete various worksheets related to...
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Can You Do It?
Middle schoolers create a simple machine to help with the design of the traditional can opener. In this simple machines lesson plan, students analyze the can opener, and use the design process to solve problems.
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Crash Test Physics
Students design and test balsa cars. In this crash tet lesson plan, students design and build their own cars to specifications. They explore the physics of motion and vehicle crash safety.
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Ecology: Effects of Land Use on Natural Streams
Eighth graders examine how humans affect various ecosystems. In this ecology activity, 8th graders discuss different ways that contaminants enter the stream. They explain the consequences of eutrophication in lakes.
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Surface Water Supplies And The Texas Settlements
Pupils engage in a lesson plan that is concerned with the allocation and finding of water resources. The location of different settlement areas is considered as one looks how the water is distributed. They map some of the early Spanish...
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Journey of the Salmon
Third graders predict salmon migration routes and explore how dams affect the salmon migration. They explore the cultural significance of salmon to the Nez Perce people and design technology to aid salmon migration.
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From Genomes of Species
High schoolers investigate genomic research being done and its potential for understanding, treating, and possibly curing human genetic conditions. The potential of proteomic research as a companion to the work being done with genomics...
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Cell Wall Recipe: A Lesson on Biofuels
Biotech engineers discover that changes in the DNA code for cell wall formation can help create crops better suited for biofuel production. They extract DNA from wheat germ. They decode paper strips with codes and relate the activity to...
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What Role Does Light Play Within the Vision Process?
High schoolers are introduced to the relationship between light and vision. In groups, they participate in experiments to discover how different wavelengths are divided in the visible spectrum. They record their answers and discuss their...
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Deck of Word Cards
Students study vocabulary words associated with indoor air quality. In this air quality activity, students participate in a word card game where they write sentences for the vocabulary words given. Students then check the original...
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Inquiry-based Investigations into Pond Water Microorganisms
Students become familiar with common microorganisms and experience exploring the microbial world.
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South of the Border Down Brooklyn Way
Students use the Internet to research the behavior and ecology of feral monk parakeets. They design a monk parakeet behavioral study, then post their results to a Web page.
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Alderwood Manor: A Sequential Inquiry in Environmental Bioethics
Students explore bioethics. They discuss the traditional ethics of human conduct and man's relationship with nature. Students identify ethical dilemmas. They discuss ramifications of economic and ecological concerns with bioethics.
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The Commission of Inquiry
Students explore the role and functions of a commission of inquiry and participate in a democratic debate.
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Life Cycles of Plants
Students discover the general life cycle of a plant, the parts of a plant, and what it needs to grow. They plant bean seeds and discuss the parts of a plant and what it needs to grow.
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Measuring the Diameter of Our Star
Students conduct an experiment to measure the diameter of the sun. In this astronomy lesson, students construct a simple equipment to collect scientific data. They calculate the sun's diameter using a given formula.
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Pioneers of Space
Students explore how to use natural resources in the next millenium. Students create a KWL chart and then research information on our solar systsem, natural resources, and environments. Students build a model of a future community and...
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Natural Selection
Students practice calculating allele and genotype frequencies in the framework of a simple simulation using hard candy, calculators, and a worksheet. This instructional activity includes a three-page worksheet and an assessment question...
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Induction: Inquiry in Action
Students investigate the factors that affect the induced current in a loop of wire. They discuss Faraday's Law and Lenz's Law. Students identify the different variables that affect the magnetic flux and calculate the magnetic flux...