Lesson Plan
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Why Do Ice Cubes Melt?

For Teachers 1st
First graders investigate water properties by participating in a hands on experiment. In this ice formation lesson plan, 1st graders examine real ice cubes in a bowl and identify the reasons why certain cubes melt faster than others....
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Culture Clash: New World Meets Old

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the history of Christopher Columbus.  In this World History lesson, 6th graders research facts about Christopher Columbus.  Students write their own opinion about Columbus's background focusing on three...
Lesson Plan
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Reflection Experiments

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders investigate with light rays. In this light activity, 7th graders determine the angle of reflection using simple materials. They continue the investigation by exploring the theory that light which is not reflected or...
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Poverty and Inequality in the World's Richest Nation

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine poverty and inequality in America. For this current events lesson, students read the provided articles "Poverty," "Inequality Growing in America," "Inequality: Views on Causes, Effects, Remedies," and "Theories on the...
Lesson Plan
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Introduction to Robotics

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars explore robots as it relates to artificial intelligence and mechanics. In this introduction to robotics lesson, students examine the technology related to design, research the concept of fabrication theory and the...
Lesson Plan
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Universal Myths and Symbols: Animal Creatures and Creation

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine the role of mythology in their own lives. After reading stories, they discover the various theories on the origins of the universe and compare the symbols used by different cultures. To end the lesson, they research a...
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What a Cosmic Web We Weave

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore, using journals and discussion in small groups, how the universe has evolved since the theoretical Big Bang and create dramatizations of various eras in cosmic evolution.
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How Evolution Works

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers discuss the evolution of the eye and how a complex organ can evolve through natural selection. They research genetic variation, adaptation, and sexual selection. They analyze data to determine how beak length of Gal??pagos...
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Using Living Organisms to Explain Evolution

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students investigate evolution in its most fundamental form: the observation of living organisms. By comparing variations that exist among living animals, students formulate their own hypotheses and conclusions about the evolution of...
Lesson Plan
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Using Team Games Tournaments

For Teachers 3rd - 9th
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...
Lesson Plan
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Using Your Senses

For Teachers K - 4th
Students make observations. In this sensory skills lesson, students use their senses as well as tools that sharpen their senses to make observations regarding foods and other items.
Lesson Plan
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Scavenger Hunt: A Group Collection

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students be complete a collection of living organisms and systems from the school campus.
Lesson Plan
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PRIMATE CLASSIFICATION: Evolution, Cladograms,

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students transfer examples (names) of primates from their location in an outline hierarchy of primate groups into a set of nested boxes reflecting that same hierarchy. A cladogram can then be drawn illustrating how these groups are...
Lesson Plan
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Mimicry: An Example of Adaptation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are able to explain the relationship between adaptation and ability for survival and reproduction. They are able to give examples of a series of adaptations that would support the idea that evolution is a series of minor...
Lesson Plan
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Fishy Frequencies

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders demonstrate that natural selection is an agent of evolution. They quantitatively apply the Hardy-Weinberg Principle to an imaginary population of fish. They utilize math and graphing skills, collecting and analyzing data,...
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Spork and Beans

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine natural selection, how it works and how it can cause microevolution.  In this evolution instructional activity students complete a lab activity that shows the effects that natural selection has on organisms.
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Clipbirds

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students attempt to pick up various objects with a wide variety of beaks, including scissors, spoons, etc.
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They're more evolved that way

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the notion of local evolution, or genetic selectivity among different continent-based human populations. They consider specific examples of local evolution, such as lactose tolerance, skin color, and cognitive capacity,...
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Survival of the Fittest -- Battling Beetles

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students experiment with traits. In this Science lesson, students test the strength of beetles using M&M candies in lieu of the insects. Students use the Hardy-Weinberg Equation to calculate possible offspring traits of further...
Lesson Plan
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Gene Switches- A Model

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore genetic variation within a population. In this genetic adaptation lesson, students investigate the reasons contributing to genetic adaptation. High schoolers collaborate and analyze DNA models. Multiple resources...
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The Chips Are Down: A Natural Selection Simulation

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students, in teams, use different colored paper chips to represent prey and a piece of fabric as the environment.
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How Did Humans Evolve?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students complete an online activity in which they examine fossils to find possible hominid family trees.
Lesson Plan
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Mystery : Structure of the Atom-A Case for Indirect Evidence

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the structure of the atom through hands on activities. In this atomic structure lesson, students perform 4 activities showing indirect evidence of the structure of the atom and the parts of the atom. They also list...
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Why Do People Fall in Love?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students discuss human behavior, sexual selection and the underlying genetic and evolutionary reasons for mate selection. The, in groups, they rate the attractiveness of certain individuals and measure facial features for symmetry.