Lesson Plan
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The Best Place in the United States to Live

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students, working in small groups, analyze information provided in U.S. maps to make a logical determination of the best place to live in the United States in regards to natural and human-made hazards. Then, working individually, they...
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Scientist Simulation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners imagine themselves working as research scientists completing the end-steps of a molecular research project and interpreting the data. They compare the gene sequences of normal and abnormal mice and evaluate the protein product...
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Wh0-o-o-o's Out There?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders describe the physical features of an owl and identify survival adaptations. They Investigate an owl's niche in an ecosystem. The students participate in an interactive puzzle on the internet that helps for motivation.
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Toxicology 2: Finding the Toxic Dose

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners brainstorm with group partners to decide upon a chemical they would like to test, and outline a procedure for their investigation. They then present in groups their ideas to the rest of the class as well as the chemical they...
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What's In A Name?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create a binomial system of nomenclature for classifying organisms they encounter in a field trip to a natural history museum or from pictures in library books. They work in small groups to create accurate drawings and place...
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Desert Xeriscaping

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners recognize native species of desert vegetation while examining the need for water conservation. They design and create a xeriscape landscape using a variety of materials.
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Honduras: Going Bananas

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the popularity of bananas. They conduct a survey to understand the reasons for their popularity. Students research a banana's journey from the farm to school lunch. They compose a children's book about bananas explaining...
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Sea Turtles

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate eight different species of sea turtles while being involved in classroom lecture and video presentation. The characteristics used to identify sea turtles is taught to help students identify unknown species.
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Alderwood Manor: A Sequential Inquiry in Environmental Bioethics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore bioethics. They discuss the traditional ethics of human conduct and man's relationship with nature. Students identify ethical dilemmas. They discuss ramifications of economic and ecological concerns with bioethics.
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Designing a Tropical Reserve System

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners explain the complexity of resource, land use, and conservation decisions.
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Lesson 3: Understanding Population Growth

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explain population growth in Maryland and its relationship with age structure, household growth and consumption of land.
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Native Plant Restoration Project

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners distinguish between exotic and native plant species. They work in groups in the field to restore a natural habitat. A class map is created to reflect their work in the field.
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Viruses and Host Evolution

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students research viruses and their effects on the evolution of a rabbit population. They complete a teacher created worksheet of questions on their research. They present their research to classmates.
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Watershed Delineation

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students use topographic maps to delineate a watershed.In this ecology lesson, students draw the boundaries of a watershed onto a map using contour lines as a guide. Their resulting maps are used to evaluate their understanding.
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Wet 'n Wild Watershed

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students engage in a discussion on watershed management.  In this ecology lesson, students consider the role of forests in water quality.  Students incorporate lecture material into a class room discussion and...
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Plant Reproduction

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers identify the different parts and function of a flower's reproductive system. For this biology lesson, students explain how pollination works. They watch a video and practice labeling parts of both flower and leaf.
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Habitats and Functions

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students analyze and discuss insect diversity and all of the functions that insects perform in nature. They examine habitat and function cards, and distribute themselves by function and habitat.
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Species and Spaces - At Risk at Home

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore and compare Canadian biomes and investigate species at risk. They describe population growth and eco-regions in terms of climate and geography. They research and create presentations about the natural history and...
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Eeks Beaks

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine the concept of adaptations that take place in the wild. Birds are the focus organism for this study. They examine the beaks of different birds and point out the differentiations.
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"Did You Eat That!"

For Teachers 1st
First graders investigate why plants are an important part of our everyday lives, providing us with food, clothing, shelter, etc. For this lesson students participate in a series of hands-on, online, and multimedia activities to examine...
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Owl Pellets: A Fowl-Up, Chuck!

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students discover the world of owls as predators. After watching a video of owls hunting and eating, are introduced to owl pellets. Students dissect their own pellet and match the prey's bones to a bone diagram.
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Educating the Community

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research the effects of invasive and exotic plants. They create posters, webpages and books to educate the community. They present their material in different forums.
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Ocean Market

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students research how: The ocean is the source of many materials, from ores mined from its depths to relaxing mineral salts for a bath. Exquisite mother-of-pearl inlay, decorative shells, and pearl jewelry are found in gift shops...
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"For the Birds" [part I]

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students identify birds that appear in Chinese and Japanese art, learning about their physical characteristics, classifying them according to scientific principles, and exploring their habitats and migration patterns. This is part one...