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How would an oil spill affect a Marine Sanctuary?
Students explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this science lesson, students discover how scientists assess damages to the environment following oil spills. Students conduct a simulation of a public meeting in order to...
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The Life Cycle of a Star
Students investigate the life cycle of a star and make conclusions based on evidence, research, and observation. In this lesson on space and scientific investigation, students describe the relationships between science and technology...
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Is Your Spot Hot?
Eighth graders explore global warming. In this Earth Science lesson plan, 8th graders will look for Harbingers and fingerprints for different areas. The students will identify an area at risk and they will then create a presentation to...
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Global Warming
First graders discover the effects of global warming on polar bears. In this life science lesson, 1st graders model the polar bear's habitat and observe what happens as they raise the temperature. They record their observation in the...
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Understanding Space Travel
Students study the unique environment of the moon and Mars. In this space science lesson, students design a city located in the outer space. They create a computer aided design, models or drawings of their cities and share them with the...
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Camouflage
Students observe first hand what it is like to be the prey and what he or she must do to blend in and make themselves less noticeable. They participate in a variety of hands-on activities which help them explain how insects hide...
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Compost Cake
Learners examine the decomposition process. They create their own class compost pile and record their observations. They discover which materials decompose at a different rate.
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Teaching about the Rainforest - Classroom Ideas
Students are introduced to the tropical rainforest through different ways that catch their attention such as: Visit a local botanical garden or conservatory so that students can see the variety of tropical plants in the world. They...
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Using Team Games Tournaments
Students review the unit on evolution and natural selection by playing a card game. Students take turns drawing a card from the stack and reading the question out aloud. The reader gives an answer. The other students, in turn may pass or...
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Investigative Case - Los Angeles and the Future of Mono Lake
Students use this WebQuest to be able to comprehend the natural history and biological diversity of the Mono Basin, an environment directly affected by the needs of humans. They explain what makes Mono Lake unique, including the extreme...
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Now You Have It, Now You Don't
Students compare shipping peanuts made from corn and made from Styrofoam. For this corn based peanuts lesson, students understand why to use eco-friendly materials for packing. Students participate in an experiment to compare the...
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Park Brochures
Sixth graders investigate natural environments by researching national parks. In this brochure making instructional activity, 6th graders explore a specific national park and research it's information by utilizing the web. Students...
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Plate Tectonic Cycle
Learners explore the Earth's movements by completing worksheets. In this plate tectonics lesson, students define such natural disasters as volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and mudslides and discuss their connections to plate tectonics....
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Build an Anchialine Pond
Students explore biology by conducting a nature experiment. In this pond examination lesson, students utilize recycled materials, play-doh and water to recreate a pond and its inhabitants. Students identify the different elements within...
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Ecosystem Interactions in Refuges
Seventh graders, using national parks as models, illustrate the energy flow in ecosystems. Working in groups, they use murals, flow charts, or other visual displays to record their findings. Students represent the food chains and webs...
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Tetonic Plates and Faults
Students understand the basic properties of plate motion. They demonstrate what happens to a plate while faulting while using manipulatives. They demonstrate the Nature of Scientific Inquiry to solve scientific issues.
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Katrina Case Study
Students explore the impact natural events have on the environment, specifically the wetlands. They view a video about the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Mississippi Delta and answer discussion questions.
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Photo Scavenger Hunt
Learners celebrate Earth Day by applying what they've learned about studying the natural world. In this Photo Scavenger Hunt lesson plan, students use a digital camera to capture outdoor imagery and to help them understand the...
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Activity Plan 5-6: Bugs, Bugs, Bugs!
Young scholars become entomologists for a day. In this life science lesson, students go on an insect hunt and investigate insects and their homes. This leads to the creation of an insect by each student. Lesson includes a take-home...
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What A Gas!
Young scholars study various aspects of air. In this science lesson plan, students discover that air occupies space, understand the visual effects of air, and explain how air exerts force.
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Mud Fossils
Learners observe real fossils. In this science lesson, students make their own mud fossils by pressing material into the mud and letting it dry in the sun for 3-4 days. Learners then get the fossils out displaying their mud fossils.
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Sound Waves
Learners explore sound. In this "sound" science lesson, students define sound and explain how sound travels. Learners experiment with paper cups and string to conclude how sound travels. Students research a chosen aspect of sound with a...
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Let it Roll!
Students explore how various ramps affect the rate of speed of a rolling object. In this physics lesson, students work in groups to build a ramp out of various materials. Students test and record the rate of speed of a rolling object by...
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Nothing to Sneeze At
Students explore allergic reactions; they then synthesize their knowledge by creating informational pamphlets that help new allergy patients research the nature of allergies.