Curated OER
The Colors of Seasons
Students observe each season and and mark the colors they see. In this colors of the seasons lessons, students read The Mystery of the Missing Hummingbirds and compare their results and note variations of colors in the different...
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What's the Connection?
Students explain hardground communities in the Gulf of Mexico. In this deep-sea ecosystem lesson, students investigate the connection between deep-sea ecosystems and petroleum deposits. They discuss the relationship between hydrocarbon...
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Stream Table
Students explore channelization, riparian habitats and soil erosion to find out about the aquatic habitats in Iowa. In this aquatic habitats lesson, students define important terms and read an article about pollution. ...
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Pleistocene Mammals
Students research the causes of the extinction of Pleistocene mammals. For this Pleistocene mammals lesson, students read essays to understand the Pleistocene epoch. Students write an essay about the personal impact of this...
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Save Your Breath
High schoolers discuss metabolism. In this metabolism lesson, students evaluate evidence form a research report and discuss the basis for hypothetical metabolic adaptations to low-oxygen environments in the anchialine caves.
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Deep Lights
Students investigate materials that emit light. In this deep ocean lesson, students compare and contrast materials that emit light under certain conditions and infer the light-producing process. They explain three ways this evidence is...
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Call to Arms
Students explore how scientists build robotic arms that move similar to humans. In this robot lesson plan, students examine how scientists make robots. Students design and construct a mechanical arm that moves like a human arm. Students...
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Reptiles and Amphibians
Fourth graders explore biology by viewing animal videos in class. In this amphibian and reptile lesson plan, 4th graders identify the key differences between reptiles, amphibians and other animal classifications. Students view video...
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Cut-Off Genes
Young scholars explain the concept of gene sequence analysis. For this gene lesson, students draw inferences about phylogenetic similarities of different organisms.
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Meeting an Earthworm
Students inspect the anatomy of earthworms. In this earthworm lesson plan, students participate in a hands-on experiment as they analyze the structure of earthworms. Students demonstrate mastery through differentiated products. Lesson...
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Identifying an Earthworm
Students navigate the Internet to learn to identify Earthworms. In this taxonomy lesson, students explore species of earthworms finding their characteristics and using photographs to identify the species. Students research information to...
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Enzymes in Action
Students explore how enzymes are important in the chemical reactions of all living things. In this enzymes and catalysts activity students complete an activity to see how enzymes change living things.
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Fishing
Students explore the techniques and basic needs of the fisherman. For this fishing lesson, students view a demonstration of the use of fishing equipment. Students research Iowa farm ponds and design a class mural from their...
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Calling All Owls
Young scholars research various types of owls. In this owls lesson, students observe owls and discuss their characteristics. Young scholars go to an owl habitat and listen for the call of an owl. Students read The Owl in the...
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Bermuda: Search for Deep Water Caves: Living Fossils
Students explore relict species. In this anchialine cave lesson, students identify relict species associated with anchialine caves, and explain the importance of preserving anchialine caves and species.
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Schooling Fish
Young scholars make fish models. In this fish behavior lesson, students create lanternfish fishsticks, learn how a school of fish live, eat and swim together, examine the predator-prey relationship, and read the book Swimmy to...
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Reading the River - Biological Classification
Youngsters create a list of grocery store items and then work together to categorize them as if they were setting up the shelves of the market. Then they are given a box of miscellaneous objects to practice categorizing. With these two...
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Your Blooming Pond
Students model a pond system that becomes enriched with nutrients (fertilizer). They manipulate variables, make observations over time, and draw conclusions that may lead to further inquiry. They, in groups, simulate a pond environment.
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Seashore Life
In this seashore life worksheet, students identify the animals that live on the seashore. Students then color the animals that live on the seashore. Students also draw and color any additional animals they would see.
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Creating Biodiesel and Mitigating Waste
Biotechnology pros produce their own biofuel using waste oil and fresh vegetable oil. They test the quality of their product using titration techniques and pH analysis. They write their observations and report their findings. Be aware...
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Animal Coverings
Students compare and contrast the types of coverings found on animals. They identify a wide variety of animals in a museum room. They classify animals based on their coverings as well.
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Ceramics Scientific Inquiry Through Chinese Art
Fourth graders explore, examine and study ceramics, a medium of historical importance to China. They review the advanced technology of the early Chinese civilization and are introduced to the scientific method of inquiry and make...
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Bronze: Scientific Inquiry through Chinese Art
Students examine the use of bronze and porcelain in Chinese art and commerce through in-class activities, role play events, and small-group discussions in this exciting Social Studies/Arts lesson plan.
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Paper: Scientific Inquiry Through Chinese Art
Students create replicas of Chinese hanging scrolls in an attempt to understand the technology behind the creation and use of paper in Ancient China. This three-day lesson plan includes enrichment ideas.