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Greenhouse Effect
Students investigate the greenhouse effect. In this environmental lesson, students investigate why the greenhouse effect changes the climate through an experiment. Students use vinegar to simulate how acid damages the environment.
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Space Travel Guide
Looking to take a trip? Why not go to space? Here, scholars take on the role as travel agent to create a guide to their favorite planet including travel tips and sightseeing recommendations.
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Astronomy
Students explore the rotation of the Earth and observe the shapes of constellations. After discussing how the Earth moves. volunteers use a flashlight and globe to model the movement of the sun-Earth system. Using Digitalis technology,...
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Earthquakes
Students observe the melting of ice. In this phase change instructional activity, students observe ice as it melts. They discuss the process and create a Venn diagram comparing water and ice.
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The Water Cycle
Students access prior knowledge of the water cycle by completing a KWL. In this water cycle lesson, students follow the movement of water through the water cycle.
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You Need How Much Food When? Where?
Ninth graders explore how human activities shape the earth's surface. In this awareness lesson, 9th graders create pictographs showing the relations of food, people, land, and resources. Students complete worksheet.
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Apple: Bare to Pick
Students investigate the seasons of the apple tree. In tree seasons lesson, students use a sun model and a globe to study the tilt of the Earth to create the seasons. Students discuss the tilt and the seasons. Students discuss...
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Industry and the Environment
Students study industrial processes and greenhouse emissions. In this research instructional activity students choose a manufactured product, research the life cycle of the product, and present it in a PowerPoint presentation.
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Sundials: Keeping Time Like Native Americans
Students explore the use of sundials. They observe the shadows cast by the sun and record the times at various points throughout the day. They create sundials and record the location of the shadows and the time of day. They view a...
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Building a Permanent Human Presence in Space
Learners tudy space and what it takes to be an explorer. In this space explorer lesson students examine the characteristics of explorers and create an exploration log.
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Oral History
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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Going My Way?
Young scholars, in groups, study how a magnet works and how people use the Earth's magnetic field to orient themselves.
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Constellations
Students explore the major constellations. After reviewing the Earth's basic motions and their significance, students discuss the moon's orbit and revolutions. Using a Digitarium Alpha portable planetarium projector, they observe at...
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Shadows All Around Us
Young scholars create shadows. In this shadow casting lesson, students read books about shadows, view a demonstration on shadow casting and then practice shadow casting on their own. Young scholars cast a shadow using the position of the...
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Retrograde Motion of Mars
Students investigate the motion of Mars. In this space science lesson, students use transparencies to trace the path of Mars through constellations. Students discuss the characteristics of the planet.
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Climatology Forecasting
Students make weather predictions using the climatology method. In this climatology lesson, students review using trends and persistence when forecasting weather. Students discuss the climatology method for forecasting and complete the...
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Graphing Changes in Weather
Young scholars graph current temperature and weather conditions for three days. In this weather lesson, students go to the Weather Channel's website and look up weather for their zip code then graph the conditions and record the...
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The Role of Fire in Healthy Prairie, Brush and Forest Lands
Pupils create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast wildfires and prescribed fires. In this earth science lesson, students conduct a series of experiment to explore fire characteristics. They describe favorable conditions to start a...
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Rube Goldberg
Students study Rube Goldberg machines. In this architecture instructional activity, students build a Rube Goldberg machine.
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Habitat Collage
Students explore habitats. In this science lesson, students discuss habitats and the insects that are found within each habitat. Students create a habitat collage.
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Water Cycle Stories
Learners explore the water cycle. In this water cycle lesson, students simulate the water cycle by placing an ice cube in a Ziploc bag and observing the changes which occur over time. Learners record the mass of the Ziploc bag and record...
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Water Pollution
Students explore the causes of water pollution. In this environmental lesson, students conduct experiments with natural filtration systems.
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Create Your Own Animal
Students design and create their own hypothetical animal. In this biology lesson, students identify the factors organisms need to survive. They classify their animals according to its correct phylum.
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Fourth graders discover the differences between: reduce, reuse, and recycle by performing hands on examinations. They list what would happen to the soil if we allowed the earth to wash away and briefly discuss the meaning of erosion.