Lesson Plan
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Floating Pencil

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students discover how salt water makes a pencil float better than freshwater by measuring and comparing the lengths of the portion of the pencil that floats above the water surface. They then determine if an unknown water sample is...
Lesson Plan
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Unknown Liquids

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners must design and conduct an experiment to determine which unknown liquid has a greater density based on basic information about the liquids and containers. Students are given specific materials to work with.
Lesson Plan
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Sand in Bottles

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders calculate the speed of bottles as they roll down a ramp with varying amounts of sand inside. Using their data, 8th graders estimate speed of three labeled bottles with different amounts of sand and compare those results...
Lesson Plan
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Rising Waters

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders rank balls by size from smallest to largest and from lightest to heaviest and then by how much they made the water rise. They then discuss why certain balls make the water rise higher than do other balls.
Lesson Plan
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Open-Ended Scientific Method Lab

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students inspect a given problem and come up with a hypothesis. In this investigative lesson students come up with a hypothesis for a problem, test each hypothesis and evaluate how successful each one was. 
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Snowfall

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students examine the differences between snow and rain. In this precipitation lesson, students measure one inch of rain and snow to calculate the amount of liquid water. Students use a snowfall "conversion" chart to measure how much...
Lesson Plan
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Measurement: Stream Flow & Stadium Capacity

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study the scientific fields and how information can be monitored and recorded.  For this scientific inquiry lesson students view a PowerPoint presentation and complete a hands on activity. 
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What To Do After The Hands-Are-On

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners perform various demonstrations for each of Newton's Laws, collect data, and write a conclusion for each.
Lesson Plan
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Density of a Sinker

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders determine the density of a sinker by first finding the mass and then the volume using a graduated cylinder. Students must write the procedure they use to find the volume of the sinker then apply their data to follow-up...
Lesson Plan
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Exploring the Beach

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Young scholars explore the beach. In this marine habitat lesson, students inspect sand grains, design beach profiles, classify marine life, and examine natural beach habitats. Young scholars use spreadsheets to record data from their...
Lesson Plan
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Permafrost

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students use a thermometer to analyze soil temperature data to determine which soil sample is normal, and which one is permafrost. In this permafrost lesson plan, students participate in a hands on activity where they identify the active...
Lesson Plan
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Propellers, Forces and Energy

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars construct a model airplane, measure distance, and calculate velocity.  In this creative lesson students work in groups to build a model and use it to calculate distances and velocity.
Lesson Plan
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Building Materials

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders are presented with three rocks and a variety of tools and are asked to investigate the properties of the rocks to see which rock is best for building tables and benches for a museum picnic area.
Lesson Plan
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Exploring the Properties of Matter in the Preschool

For Teachers Pre-K
Students study the properties of the physical and natural world. In this properties of the physical and natural world lesson, preschool students work at discovery tables to see how simple machines work, what happens when items are put...
Lesson Plan
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Oral History

For Teachers K - 4th
Students interview a Native Elder to learn about oral history and cold weather. In this weather lesson plan, students ask an Elder about the coldest day they remember in their community and complete two worksheets for the topic.
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Close Up and Far Away

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students use magnifiers and telescopes to view things close up. In this magnifiers and telescopes lesson plan, students use the tools to identify things that are close and far away. Students tell details of things they can see closer.
Lesson Plan
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Lab Report Template

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students write a paragraph (complete sentences) which explains what they did in the lab.
Lesson Plan
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Pattern

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars describe examples of the relationship between structure and function in living systems, particularly with regard to specialized tissues and organs. They describe examples of biological diversity and adaptation of organisms...
Lesson Plan
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Solid Water

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students turn solid water (ice) into liquid water. In this solid and liquid water lesson plan, students use water, ice, cups, and heat in order to change water from one state to another. They draw their findings as well.
Lesson Plan
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Denser Sensor

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders calculate density, compare densities of solids and liquids, measure liquids using a balance, and investigate the significance of density. They conduct an experiment to determine an order of densities, and complete a...
Lesson Plan
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Marshland Wonders

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students review the characteristics of wetlands and list their benefits. After viewing short videos, they identify the organims that make their home in wetlands and how they have adapted. They compare and contrast the characteristics...
Lesson Plan
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Make a Snowflake

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students study the design of snowflakes.  In this snow lesson, students discover the different shapes of a snowflake, and their similarities.  Students study snowflakes outside, then create their own with popsicle sticks...
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Elders Predict Snow

For Teachers K - 4th
Students interview Native Indians to learn their ways for predicting and measuring snowfall. In this weather measurement lesson, students invite a Native Elder to their classroom to tell them about how they predicted weather. Students...
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Seasons

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Young scholars name the 4 seasons, discussing the weather, plant life, animal life and and activities of each. Students read the book titled, "Hello Arctic," and and discuss changes in seasons that accompany the story. Young scholars...