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Green Space in the City
High schoolers examine city parks and their importance and affect they have on the health and well being of a community. An oral report with visual aids is prepared as a group to educate the class on the importance of green space in the...
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Elephant Seals - Evolution
Young scholars create posters or skits based on specific adaptive characteristics of elephant seals.
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
DNA Extraction
What does your DNA actually look like? Use simple materials with this experiment to find out! Geneticists of all ages can follow these instructions to extract their own DNA. For learners who are hoping to extend the activity, there are...
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Meet the Animals
The class will examine a series of live or stuffed animals in order to learn how different animals survive in distinctive habitats. As they examine each animal, they will be asked a series of critical thinking questions geared at getting...
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You CAN Make a Difference!
Students identify environmental issues affecting their community and determine ways they can address the issues. They explain that they can be catalysts for change regarding the environment in their own communities.
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The Wildland/Urban Interface Dilemma
Learners examine all sides of the issues surrounding wildland fire. Groups assume the roles of different people who must decide what to do about a fictitious wildfire. They have a discussion to analyze the issue. A good, real life lesson!
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Be the Kiwi: What is going on in New Zealand?
Students study the three environmental issues facing New Zealand today. In this ecology lesson, students brainstorm some solutions to these environmental issues. They share what they have written in their journals.
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Beetle Infestation
Seventh graders investigate the consequences of insect infestation of trees over a period of time. this lesson can tailgate a segment on the life cycle of beetles and lead off a environmental lesson.
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Dinoflagallates of Bioluminescent Bay
Fifth graders research dinoflagallates of the Bioluminescent Bay. They research the Internet for pictures of the Bio Bay and discuss the difference between ecosystems and ecoregions. They research a marine ecoregion and create a poster.
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Turtle Hurdles
Students participate in a simulation in which they discover the threats to sea turtles throughout the world. In groups, they act out the life cycle of a sea turtle and describe the stresses that threaten their survival. As a class,...
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Transforming Energy
Sixth graders study about alternate energy sources and discuss with their neighbor how alternative energy sources affect environmental conditions so that an entire species could be affected.
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"Home Sweet Home?"
Learners research an endangered animal's habitat, investigate the survival problems. They research the animal's zoo life. They research some programs of reintroduction and chart the pros and cons of each.
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Surveying an Environment / Ecosystem
Students visit a local ecosystem to survey the plants and animals present and identify interactions between organisms. They identify interactions that occur between living organisms and their ecosystem and present their ecosystem to the...
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Creatures from Planet X: Spiders
Young scholars are given a description of some fascinating animals from "Planet X". They follow the descriptions given to illustrate one of these animals paying careful attention to introduced vocabulary such as 'appendages',...
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Final Project Presentations: Water Quality
Students synthesize the information they have been researching on water quality to evaluate the potential health risks in a region with arsenic contamination. They prepare and present a persuasive speech that incorporates visuals.
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Underwater Habitats
Students make a hydrophone and attach it to their Sea Perch ROVs. They use the hydrophones in conjunction with the underwater cameras on the ROVs to explore their local aquatic environments.
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Live Well Now to Live Longer Later
Ninth graders select a topic to research, completing the sentence, "Are the effects of _______ really that detrimental to one's health?" They record information in a journal, including sources of information. Students work in groups with...
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Estimating Loggerhead Hatchling Gender Ratios
Students study sea turtles and the concept of temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). Using a specific set of temperature data, they determine the probable sex of a nest of sea turtle hatchlings and then determine the overall...
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Teaching Biology Through Problem-based Activities
Learners plant seeds and observe the life cycle of the organism. They experimentally research the effects of radiation on seed growth. Students determine the effects of environmental pollutants on harvested seed.
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Effects of Lead Poisoning on the Human Body
Students research where lead can be found in homes and industrial job sites, and the effects of lead on the human body. They conduct Internet research, develop a lead checklist to be used in the home or at work, and write a three-page...
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Tee Time: A Lesson About Nonpoint Source Pollution
Students assume assigned roles as citizens in a town meeting where wealthy investors have persuaded the city government to clear an area of town to build a golf course. They are to investigate their roles and prepare a speech in support...
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We Are All Responsible
Students conduct research about the issue of conservation and the environment. They focus upon the interdependence of man and nature. They write and discuss the issue of environmental preservation. Students appreciate the importance of...
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Trash...it really piles up!
Students investigate a contemporary "midden" by analyzing trash collected from various sources and determining life-style choices people make. They see that reducing the amount of waste we generate is helpful to the the environment.
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Learning From Leaves: Adaptation Scavenger Hunt
Students participate in an adaptation scavenger hunt at. They obtain various plant specimens, and sort the plants based on whether they came from a desert, tropical rainforest, or wetlands.