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Chemical Changes
Eighth graders observe two types of interactions in a sealed plastic bag. One bag contains baking soda and water, and the other baking soda and vinegar. They determine what evidence indicates that a chemical change is occurring.
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A Cut Above the Rest Administration Procedures
Students analyze how the Law of Conservation of Energy applies to the design and use of scissors. Working in groups, they determine the output work for a standard pair of scissors.
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Are Enzymes Specific for Their Substrates?
Young scholars discover enzyme to substrate specificity. The experiment uses samples of glucose and lactose in combination with the enzyme lactase. Students observe the reaction between the lactose and the lactase; the lack of a...
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Suburban Ecosystems
Students conduct simple sampling of plant and insect biodiversity at ground level in two contrasting environments of their own choosing. They recognize and record different species then compare and contrast species numbers in the two...
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So -- What's Happening Here, On This Old Christmas Tree Farm?
Students review their prior knowledge on biomes and ecosystems. At a local Christmas tree farm, they work together in groups to identify the changes occuring in the area. They participate in solving a mystery in which they determine the...
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Investigating Local Ecosystems
Students investigate the habitats of local plants and animals. They explore some of the ways animals depend on plants and each other. Students observe living organisms in a local ecosystem and create detailed drawings and descriptions...
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Visit the Rainforest
Fifth graders define what a tropical rain forest is, what animals and plants exist there and realize how important the tropical rainforests are to life on Earth. They work in pairs to access websites imbedded in this plan to research the...
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The Making of an Organ
Learners examine and research how cells make up our organs. They create a model of a tongue showing cells, tissues and the organ.
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Household Chemicals & the Environment
Learners conduct a laboratory experiment designed to investigate the effects of chemicals, soil quality and pollution on seed growth and plant yield. They consider how best to maximize agriculture in the long term.
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Building Materials
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.
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Classification in Action
Learners work with a set of objects to set up both quantitative and qualitative classification systems. As a group, students follow an example to design and complete two classification systems using a set of objects provided. ...
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Deliver
Learners measure the mass, volume, length and area of various objects. They are assigned a letter. The task is assesses students' abilities to make simple observations and measurements.
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Instruments and Measurement
Students circulate through stations to determine the proper instrument to make a certain type of measurement. They must make measurements of mass, volume, length, area, electrical current, temperature and force.
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What are Properties of Wood?
Students use hands on scientific observation to determine characteristics of wood. They work directly with the materials and record their observations. Students test if wood absorbs water, if wood floats or sinks, and if all wood...
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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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Look At Those Leaves
Students observe leaves. In this plant biology activity, students examine leaves and classify them according to size, shape, and color. Students learn more about the leaves by visiting suggested websites.
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Energy Efficiency in the Home
Students discover ways to conserve energy in their homes. In this energy efficiency lesson students analyze a set of data and design a solution that results in higher energy efficiency.
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Rainforest Alliance: Biodiversity
Fifth graders compare biodiversity in their neighborhood and in the rainforest. In this biodiversity instructional activity, 5th graders read stories and gather information about the diversity of life found in their area and in the...
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A Peek at the Past: Gradualism vs. Punctuated Equilibria
Students consider two sets of simulated fossils (caminalcules) that are provided as cutouts. They arrange them on two time scales. One set produces a visual example of gradualism, the other shows punctuated equilibria.
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Jurassic Park Debate
Students research behavior, phsyiology, and ecology of dinoaurs. Students role-play as scientific specialists such as geneticists and ecologists. They present their research findings in a research paper.
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More Lizard Snacks
Students listen to Chapter I, Chapter II, Chapter III, and Chapter IV of "The Forgetful Pony". They observe different stages of development of mealworms. The student sequences pictures to show the life cycle and draws the developmental...
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Life Does Not Live By Bread Alone
Students investigate the relationship between micronutrients and proper metabolic function. The lesson should serve as an introduction to the subject. The subject of the function includes the study of plants, animals, and humans. They...
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A Hands-On Paper Activity Examining The Relationship Between Hierarchical Levels Of Structure And Function
Students investigate how complex functions arise in biological systems through the creation of several paper structures to accomplish various tasks such as remaining suspended in air for the longest time, making the loudest noise and...
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The Amazing Starfish
Students study starfish. In this biology lesson plan, students learn the simple but complex characteristics of an echinoderm.