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Bioplastics

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners define bioplastics and identify its uses.  In this bioplastics lesson, students compare and contrast styrofoam to starch peanuts after careful examination.  Learners understand what biodegradeable means.
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Chain Reaction

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students study animal behavior and how it changes to its environment.  In this animal lesson students design and conduct experiments.
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Biodiesel: An Alternative Fuel Source

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Learners explore the advances that are being made in alternative fuels.For this biodiesel lesson students evaluate different petroleum and alternative fuels.
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Testing Your Water

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars perform several water quality tests on groundwater from their area. They use test strips to determine the pH, hardness, alkalinity, nitrates, iron and chloride levels.
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Medicine: Then and Now

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read ancient Greek texts to explore ancient healing practices and compare them to modern-day medicine. They conduct research into modern first-aid practices, using a standard medical reference.
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Vitamin C and Protein Analysis

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students analyze various beverages to determine vitamin C content. Students research diseases resulting from vitamin C deficiencies and identify countries most affected.
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"Approaching Walden: From Emerson to Thoreau"

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine selected local leaves in greater detail in the classroom by using more analytical drawing techniques. They use Thoreau's drawing of a Scarlett Oak as their model. Students choose a leave from a box of leaves removed...
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Peeled Trees Tell The Story

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students investigate the diversity of life that is found in Montana. They research some of the different interactions that organisms have with their environment. The lesson plan includes an extensive introduction for teacher information....
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"Chips" Off the Old Block?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students study using analogies between common items or occurrences and science concepts. They use the analogy of cookie recipes to that of the DNA "recipes" for living things to help us explain more about mutations.
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The Siberian Arctic

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students, in groups, research the topics: habitats of northwestern Siberia, reindeer, oil and natural gas, and other threatened regions of the Arctic. They answer specific research questions based on their topic. They use online...
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Gwynns Falls

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners investigate the question: What is the impact of urban development and expansion on the health of a decidious forest ecosystem and humans? They examine the issue of land development by responding to a specific scenario and...
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Genetic Research: A Congressional Hearing

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars participate in a mock hearing of the U.S. Senate subcommittee on genetic research. They representing support groups for various genetic disorders present arguments for continued federal funding, while subcommittee members...
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My Favorite Meal

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

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders study the important habitats, flora, fauna, and physical factors of coastal habitats. They compare the aquatic habitats to terrestrial habitats by researching and completing tables with the information.
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What's That? Diversity Among Organisms

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders can go outside and explore the organisms that live in the environment outside their door. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to examine the world around them with a new perspective. This activity will increase...
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The New Explorers: Environmental Swat Team

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students follow scientists into the dry forest of Bolivia as they track and record the different species of mammals, birds, insects and plants that would be lost if the forests disappear.
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Human Evolution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students make and use observations of Laetoli footprints to provide clues to life in the past. They collect and analyze data to study the relationship between foot length and body height.
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Primate Classification 2006

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine groups of hierarchy and see how primates are categorized.  In this primate classification instructional activity students view video and slides then examine the taxonomy of primates. 
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How Do We Know These Beetles Are Safe to Use?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students evaluate the impact beetles have on plants. In groups, they select plants to expose to leaf-feeding beetles and place those beetles on the caged plants. They observe the beetles and discuss the insect and plant interaction...
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Beetle Collection and Release

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Young scholars investigate plants and compare them to the purple loose strife. As they observe the plants they predict possible impacts on plant populations based on their observations. They work in groups and present their findings to...
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Carbon Cycles

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine the carbon cycle and how carbon atoms travel through it.  In this energy cycles instructional activity students describe how human activities affect the carbon cycle. 
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Gravity Versus the Mighty Egg

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students design, revise and construct a method for protecting an egg from cracking when it is dropped from a height. They work in small groups to develop their protection method and then collect and analyze data as a class when each...
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Small Pox Scare Wks 1-2

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify basic similarities and differences between B- and T-lymphocytes, stressing function, location, and role. They complete a worksheet that requires them to apply knowledge about ELISA and antibodies.
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Forest Sustainability

For Teachers 10th - 12th
High schoolers study major forests and their history. They see what sustainable forestry and silviculture is and discuss the topics on the attached worksheet.