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Lesson 1 - What Are Fossils?
Students define and research fossils. In this fossil lesson, students access teacher assigned Internet sites to examine images of fossils. They determine the definition of a fossil and find out how fossils are formed. They also define a...
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Bang! You're Alive
Young scholars explore the Big Bang Theory and the Theory of Plate Tectonics. In this history of life lesson, students explain two ways the Theory of Plate Tectonics and the Big Bang are of direct benefits to humans.
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the biggest Plates on Earth
Students understand the movement of tectonic plates. In this tectonic plates lesson, students access prior knowledge of convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries. Students discuss energy transfer involved in plate motion. ...
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Identifying Your Watershed
High schoolers identify the watershed where they live and how it is related to their own water consumption. In this watershed lesson students locate their watershed on their town map. The high schoolers find the source of their water...
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Rocks
Middle schoolers examine how sedimentary rocks are formed. For this rock lesson students research different rock formations and different types of rock.
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Flooding
Students take a closer look at flooding. In this floods lesson, students investigate the causes of flooding and the impact of flooding as they examine a flooding animation.
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The Invention of the Parachute
Students study the invention of the parachute and how Leonardo da Vinci came up with the design. In this aerodynamics lesson students test the properties that make parachutes more efficient.
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Volcanic Clouds and the Atmosphere
Students examine how scientists monitor volcanoes. In this volcano lesson plan students complete several activities including why we see things when using satellites.
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Wave Math
Students identify the different factors affecting the size and shape of ocean waves. In this math lesson, students calculate wave speed and wavelength given a mathematical formula.
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Historical Harbor Habitats
Tenth graders create food web displays in the classroom. In this ecology instructional activity, 10th graders identify the different pollutants in the environment and their effect on organisms. They collect samples of sediments from the...
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Layers Of The Earth
Students examine the layers of the earth and the basic composition and thickness of each. Using construction paper, each student models the layers of the earth.
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Desalination: Creating a Solar Still
To better understand how solar power can aid in creating desalinated drinking water, the class creates a model still. They will build a model of a solar still, make observations, and discuss how the process works. While the idea behind...
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Rock Cycle Activity
A few of the components of this lesson are not possible to carry out because the rock cycle diagram and challenge handouts are not included. Hopefully, you already have your own rock cycle diagram or worksheet to use as a concept...
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Gaia: The Wisdom of the Earth
Learners are introduced to Gaia theory of natural homeostasis. They graph Earth's temperatures over time, construct terrariums or monitor the outdoor environment. Related videos titles are suggested, but may be outdated. The objectives...
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Jupiter
A student-produced PowerPoint provides basic facts about the planet of Jupiter. Illustrated slides highlight its physical attributes and satellites. A lot of interesting information about Jupiter is included, such as the fact that twenty...
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Borah Peak Earthquake
students use the internet, an atlas map, and other sources to explore a map of Idaho. They locate the Lost River Range and Mt. Borah. Students read the atlas map to locate earthquake faults, find the magnitude, fault, and epicenter of...
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Groundwater Pollution Site Assessment
Students study how a geologist examines a hazardous waste spill using an actual site. They use site data to map the spill, find its source and determine how fast the spill is spreading.
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Mineral or Maceral Mosaic
Students study about geologists and their job. They also study that rocks are made up of minerals and organic material by conducting an experiment where they create their own "granite" or "coal".
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Origin of Coal
Students explore how coal is formed. They then discuss the information and answer any questions that they may have on the formation of coal. Students then answer questions in reference to the coal discussion and reading.
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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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Virtual Field Trip
Fifth graders are introduced to the concepts of weathering and erosion. In groups, they rotate between different stations to discover how each process effects different landforms. To end the lesson, they discuss each change in the...
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HOW FAST DO SEDIMENT GRAINS OF DIFFERENT SIZES SETTLE?
Students conduct an experiment using sand, a jar, and a paper clip to analyze the effects of different kinds of sand vis a vis its sediment. They graph their findings and analyze for factors of size, shape, and density.
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Rocks, Rocks & More Rocks
Second graders work together to examine different types of rocks. They sort rocks according to their characteristics and properties.
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Water Quality and Pollution Web Quest
Learners explore how water is a limited resource, where it comes from, how it can become polluted and how it is used. For this water quality instructional activity students search the web to answer given questions and prepare a report...