Lesson Plan
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Genes and Aging

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore genes and the way we age. They assemble a worm collection device called a Baermann Funnel. Students collect Caenorhabditis elegans or other active nematodes from local soil samples. They observe the appearance and...
Lesson Plan
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Relationships and Biodiversity

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine diversity on the planet and the differences within a species.  In this investigative lesson students complete a lab that allows students to better understand the relatedness between plants. 
Lesson Plan
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Barnacles: Harder than Cement

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders watch the movements of the complex animal hidden inside the tiny barnacle shells. This instructional activity allows students to study the behavior, adaptation, and larval stage of the barnacle.
Lesson Plan
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Can Bacteria Arise from Non-living Things?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders, in groups, determine whether bacteria arises from non-living things,
Lesson Plan
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Bioremediation

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students design and conduct investigations that illustrate the effect bioremediation has on organic matter and determine environmental applications. They, in groups, present their findings to the class.
Lesson Plan
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The Principles Of Composting

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students put items in a plastic bag and watch the effects of composting. While completing the experiment, students answer questions and ask permission to start their own compost pile at home.
Lesson Plan
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"To Terraform or Not to Terraform?"

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students analyze an article written by an engineer at NASA proposing colonizing Mars with human explorers on the fastest track possible. They are invited to react to the article through several activities.
Lesson Plan
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Ocean Color

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine NASA's SeaWiFS Project Web site to explore how the SeaWiFS Project monitors environmental and climatic changes in the oceans and atmosphere. They answer questions and write a summary in support of continued funding for...
Lesson Plan
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Life in Streams and Ponds

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students collect microorganisms, demonstrate correct laboratory/Gram stain procedure, and design and construct tables to organize data.
Lesson Plan
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Dirty Pictures

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students investigate how food, clothing and shelter come from soil after they examine soil from their own backyards. They map soils on the color wheel before making glue and soil pictures and tie-dying T-shirts in red soil.
Lesson Plan
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CSI Clamshell Investigation

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students explore predator/prey relationships. They research information on moon snails and claims. Students draw conclusions from the data collected. They use math and graphing to determine if there is a relationship to the clam's size...
Lesson Plan
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Are There Other Neighborhoods Like Our Own?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the possibility of life existing on other planets. They conduct research using a variety of resources. The lesson includes an overview that is used for classroom discussion practices. They tell the teacher how to...
Lesson Plan
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Mussel Movements

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students consider the impact of invasive species on local environments. In this ecology lesson plan, watch the video, Arizona Wildlife Views, which focuses on invasive species. Students develop vocabulary, relate to meaningful...
Worksheet
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Rocks Word Search Puzzle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this literacy worksheet, students look for the words that are related to the concept that is reviewed in the sheet. They also acquire new vocabulary.
Lesson Plan
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Good Guys or Bad Guys

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders complete a variety of activities to explore both positive and negative effects of microorganisms. They, in groups, engage in a series of experiments which illustrate the effects of certain molds.
Lesson Plan
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Organic Matter in Soils

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students examine soil samples for the presence of organic matter. They determine which soil sample from their area contains the highest amount of organic matter.
Lesson Plan
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Yogurt Production

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work together to complete an experiment making yogurt. They test different temperatures and different amount of ingredients. They record and analyze their data.
Lesson Plan
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Collect Your Own Drosophila Lab

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students study Drosophila by catching them. They construct catcher-containers to catch Drosophila using fruit as bait. After collection, they examine the flies and collect data to be displayed.
Lesson Plan
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The Effects of Ultraviolet Light on Lumbriculus

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students explore the effects of ultraviolet light on Lumbriculus. They expose ultraviolet light to Lumbriculus (worm) and determine the lethal exposure time. They examine the worm and record their observations.
Lesson Plan
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The City From the Ooze

For Teachers K - 9th
Learners investigate the life in the mud found around ponds. They create Ooze City using pond mud. Students investigate the various layers that form and what type of organisms are in the mud.
Lesson Plan
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The Effect of Automobile Exhaust on Hydra in an Environmental Chamber

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the structure and habitat of the hydra in this lab activity. Students determine if the hydra can be used as an indicator to detect pollution from automobile exhaust.
Lesson Plan
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There Are Algae in Your House!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students demonstrate that, although we sometimes can neither smell nor taste them, many ingredients in our foods and household products come from the sea. They also investigate food eat to determine algae derivatives they contain.
Lesson Plan
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Aquatic Ecosystems

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students study ponds and wetland ecosystems and examine the food chains and webs in them.  In this aquatic ecosystems lesson students answer questions about the diversity of the flora and fauna in a pond. 
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My Favorite Meal

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students investigate ecological systems and the multiple uses of the environment by studying the osprey population.