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Curated OER

Explosive Knowledge

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine China's suspected theft of American nuclear secrets, as a springboard for the creation of a research-based, multi-tiered timeline that traces the development, regulation, and use of nuclear weapons from the 1940's to today.
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Marching On

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners explore the increasingly diverse civil rights movement by researching and profiling its key issues, main organizations, and top leaders.(August 25, 2003)
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High Profiles

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars research and write newspaper articles about current world leaders, using a New York Times International article as a model. They research a current world leader's personal background and political history.
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One China, Two Systems

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students study the term 'peaceful coexistence' and the role it plays in the Chinese process for reunification with Taiwan. They research and assess the political ideologies, economic stability and national identities of the countries...
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International Custody Battle

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research the relationship between the United States and Cuba by identifying key players and events in Cuban/U.S. history. They also focus on a battle waged between Cuban-Americans in Miami and a father in Cuba over the custody...
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Fish Stories

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students conduct background research about a Pacific Rim country to develop a premise for a documentary film about the fate of traditional fishing industries in the area.
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In the Forecast, a Flurry of Concerns about Snow

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider the effects of climate change on snowfall and how a lack of data in snowfall collection impair climate change research. They, in groups, investigate different effects of snowfall and make recommendations to lobbyists.
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Unmasking the Middle East

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore many of the countries in the Middle East, developing research-based posters and a spider web illustrating the relationships among the countries. They write letters to fictional peers in Middle Eastern countries.
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Banking on a Good Turn

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research the economies of countries in the Group of 8 and present how their economies have changed over the past five years and how the relationships among these countries affect each other in light of world events.
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Imperial Notions

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research how and why different parts of the world were colonized, considering the pros and cons for both the rulers and the ruled.
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Straining to Understand Viruses

For Teachers 6th - Higher Ed
Students examine the differences among the strains of deadly viruses and create research-based visual displays about the origins of different strains, transmission, symptoms, treatments and historic impact of specific viruses.
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Is All Cinema Verité?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explore the relationship between movies and culture, looking at movies as both a part of and a reflection of popular culture. They research the specific historical and cultural realities present during the run of a...
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Reign of Terror?

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students research acts of terrorism around the world over the past thirty years to create a visual timeline of these events for the classroom.
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Talking 'Bout Regeneration

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research the regenerative capabilities of certain organisms. They present their findings at a student regeneration symposium aimed at exploring the possibilities of human regeneration.
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Searching with Certainty

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore ways to determine credibility in sources of information. In small groups, students develop a thesis question for a research paper, then use three different methods to find Internet sites with credible information.
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A Community Responds

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the recent case of police brutality in Inglewood, California. By exploring the case in detail and discussing possible responses, students examine how such events can be transformed into learning experiences.
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We, the First People

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore new support regarding the earliest peopling of America by examining multiple theories on the migration of the first people to America, investigating related archaeological finds, and creating research-based scientific...
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Weathering the Odds

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the limitations of weather forecasting and how consumer-driven weather forecasting companies attempt to meet the demand for accurate, long-term weather forecasting. They act as meteorologists, researching the weather.
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Reason to Celebrate!

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider the importance of secular holidays celebrated around the world, researching holidays in various countries and creating patchwork quilts to illustrate their findings.
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State of the "States"

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider indicators that mark a country's progress, examine how last year's State of the Union address has affected U.S. foreign policy, research issues deemed important in that speech, and create report cards assessing the...
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Radio Free America?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners explore the controversy over the recent FCC vote to loosen restrictions on media ownership. After researching the background and position of local radio stations, students evaluate and make recommendations about free speech.
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Chilling Predictions

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars research and prepare an almanac on the Arctic. They examine the laws that attempt to provide jurisdiction over this area and consider how these laws be affected if geography of the Arctic continues to change due to global...
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Teen Angst

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars gain a broader understanding of new scientific research about the life cycle of the Tyrannosaur, and translate their knowledge into the creation of an illustrated studenT book produced and created by the entire class.
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How Tall is that Tree?

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students apply their math skills to develop an accurate estimate of the height of a tall tree. Three different methods are outlined. All grade levels should be able to perform the shadow method and the proportional method.