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Up, Up, and Away
Students investigate the laws of physics that govern the flight of helicopters and airplanes. They build and launch a model rotor, simulating rotors used on helicopters to provide lift.
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Classifying Stars and Constellations
Students examine stars and constellations. In this space science lesson, students visit selected websites to discover information about the classification of stars. Students also practice identifying constellations.
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Simple Machines, Engines and the Environment
Learners examine and describe the six main simple machines. In groups, they work with an inclined plane to calculate the ideal and actual mechanical advantages of the plane. Using their results, they must determine the efficiency of the...
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Ins and Outs of Simple Machines
Students explore the ins and outs of simple machines. They discover the various roles of simple machines, who uses them, where they can be found and how they actually work. Students create a compound machine using simple machines.
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Understanding Cause and Effect using A Sound of Thunder
Students listen to a short story, A Sound of Thunder, and retell parts of the story which is about time travel. They respond to the story by writing cause/effect outcomes about the ecosystem using a handout.
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Ice Ice Baby! The Design and Preparation of A Reusable Ice Pack
Students explore polymers by designing and preparing an inexpensive and effective reusable ice pack. They develop and test a design for a reusable ice pack in the science lab. Students apply chemical and physical properties of polymers...
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What are Rocks and Minerals? How can they help us?
Sixth graders investigate the difference between rocks and minerals. They name the three kinds of rocks (sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic) and know the differences between them.
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Minerals, Crystals, and Gems
Students discover the relationships between minerals, crystals and gems. They bring in rocks that they find at home, in the schoolyard, etc. and examine them and attempt to identify them. They set up a classroom exhibit that includes all...
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A Multimedia Science Project: Minorities and Women in Science
Eighth graders create a multimedia presenttation written presentation, and oral presentation detailing the contributions of three minority or female scientists throughout history.
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Solving Science Mysteries
Students choose a science-related mystery to investigate such as the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot. They, in groups, research theories and give a persuasive talk presenting the theory they feel to be most likely.
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Partnership in Science Education
Students compare two regions of the world, their own and one many miles away. They explore and compare these two places and prepare a report that gives a complete comparison and description of the two regions. They collaborate in...
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Science Safari: Energy Resources
Students pick a topic that is related to energy and power companies, tools, and careers. They organize information, photos, illustrations, video, or other graphics into a presentation.
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Trees In Nature And Art
Young scholars study the use of trees in art. In this investigative lesson students create art using leaf rubbings and develop a classification method for trees.
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Fossil Fuels-Importance and Formation
Student is introduced to the concept of energy as a common factor among all things. They list three fossil fuels and describe how fossil fuels were formed. They then tell how much plant debris it took to form one foot of coal.
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Reflection and Absorption of Light
Students use a microcomputer connected to a light sensor and temperature probe to explore the reflection and absorption of radiation for different surfaces. Students follow instructions in this guided inquiry based lab and are then asked...
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What Structures and Behaviours Can Be Observed in Vinegar Eels?
Students view vinegar eels under a microscope at different magnifications. They use a DigiScope with the camera attachment in place of the eyepiece. Students count the number of thrashing movements in 10 seconds. They repeat this three...
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Chemistry of Iron and Charcoal Manufacturing in PA
Students examine the historical purpose of the forests in Pennsylvania and investigate how the iron manufacturing process works. In this chemistry instructional activity students write the chemical formula for making charcoal.
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Chucky Chickadee: Bird and Breakfast Meet the Winter Friends
Learners compare and contrast the attributes of winter birds. In this winter bird lesson, students examine the physical attributes of Black-capped Chickadees, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Flickers, Juncos, Nuthatches, and Tufted Titmouses as...
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Starch and Sugar Testing 1
Eighth graders determine the presence of starch and sugar in unknown solutions. This task assesses students' abilities to observe, record and interpret data, classify, generalize/infer, construct data tables, and identify sugar and...
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Puddles and Soil
Students determine which of several soil samples (sand, soil, and slit) produces puddles, providing insight into the permeability of these different soils. This task assesses students' abilities to make simple observations, collect,...
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Soap, Wood, and Water
Pupils measure the properties of two different types of soap and wood and calculate their densities. Then they predict whether or not whether or not each object would float or sink in fresh or salt water.
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Up, Up, and Away
Fifth graders participate in a WebQuest that introduces them to a study on clouds and how they relate to weather systems.
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Take Two and Call Me in the Morning
Eighth graders are introduced to the workings of the major systems of the Human Body: circulatory, digestive, respiratory, nervous, skeletal, and endocrine Systems. They learn the major organs of the systems and their functions.
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A Tree is a Tree and a Lot More
Students listen as the teacher reads "The Giving Tree." they discuss all the things the tree gave the boy throughout his life. They discuss ways they benefit from trees. This studying culminates with a tree walk and planting a tree in a...