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Hurricane
Young scholars learn about and track hurricanes. In this natural disasters lesson plan, students discuss hurricane formation and research the impact/effects of hurricanes in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. Young scholars use a hurricane...
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Weathering and Erosion
Young scholars conduct two experiments. For this weathering and erosion lesson, students identify the different ways that weathering occurs, name the natural elements of weather and explain the process of erosion. Young scholars watch a...
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Deserts: How Do You Define One?
Second graders identify what constitutes as a desert by reading a habitat checklist. In this environment lesson, 2nd graders read a nature website to discover facts about the desert and where they are located. Students utilize art...
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How would an oil spill affect a Marine Sanctuary?
Students explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this science lesson, students discover how scientists assess damages to the environment following oil spills. Students conduct a simulation of a public meeting in order to...
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The Life Cycle of a Star
Students investigate the life cycle of a star and make conclusions based on evidence, research, and observation. In this lesson on space and scientific investigation, students describe the relationships between science and technology...
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Is Your Spot Hot?
Eighth graders explore global warming. In this Earth Science lesson plan, 8th graders will look for Harbingers and fingerprints for different areas. The students will identify an area at risk and they will then create a presentation to...
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Global Warming
First graders discover the effects of global warming on polar bears. In this life science lesson, 1st graders model the polar bear's habitat and observe what happens as they raise the temperature. They record their observation in the...
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Understanding Space Travel
Students study the unique environment of the moon and Mars. In this space science lesson, students design a city located in the outer space. They create a computer aided design, models or drawings of their cities and share them with the...
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Camouflage
Students observe first hand what it is like to be the prey and what he or she must do to blend in and make themselves less noticeable. They participate in a variety of hands-on activities which help them explain how insects hide...
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Compost Cake
Young scholars examine the decomposition process. They create their own class compost pile and record their observations. They discover which materials decompose at a different rate.
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Teaching about the Rainforest - Classroom Ideas
Students are introduced to the tropical rainforest through different ways that catch their attention such as: Visit a local botanical garden or conservatory so that students can see the variety of tropical plants in the world. They...
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Using Team Games Tournaments
Students review the unit on evolution and natural selection by playing a card game. Students take turns drawing a card from the stack and reading the question out aloud. The reader gives an answer. The other students, in turn may pass or...
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Now You Have It, Now You Don't
Students compare shipping peanuts made from corn and made from Styrofoam. For this corn based peanuts lesson, students understand why to use eco-friendly materials for packing. Students participate in an experiment to compare the...
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Park Brochures
Sixth graders investigate natural environments by researching national parks. In this brochure making instructional activity, 6th graders explore a specific national park and research it's information by utilizing the web. Students...
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Plate Tectonic Cycle
Learners explore the Earth's movements by completing worksheets. In this plate tectonics lesson, students define such natural disasters as volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and mudslides and discuss their connections to plate tectonics....
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Build an Anchialine Pond
Students explore biology by conducting a nature experiment. In this pond examination lesson, students utilize recycled materials, play-doh and water to recreate a pond and its inhabitants. Students identify the different elements within...
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How Does the Loss of Ozone Affect Our Climate
Students explore the greenhouse effect and what it does to the environment. They discuss if and how human behavior contributes to global warming and test natural materials for carbon content.
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Ecosystem Interactions in Refuges
Seventh graders, using national parks as models, illustrate the energy flow in ecosystems. Working in groups, they use murals, flow charts, or other visual displays to record their findings. Students represent the food chains and webs...
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Tetonic Plates and Faults
Students understand the basic properties of plate motion. They demonstrate what happens to a plate while faulting while using manipulatives. They demonstrate the Nature of Scientific Inquiry to solve scientific issues.
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Katrina Case Study
Students explore the impact natural events have on the environment, specifically the wetlands. They view a video about the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Mississippi Delta and answer discussion questions.
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Photo Scavenger Hunt
Students celebrate Earth Day by applying what they've learned about studying the natural world. In this Photo Scavenger Hunt lesson plan, students use a digital camera to capture outdoor imagery and to help them understand the...
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Activity Plan 5-6: Bugs, Bugs, Bugs!
Young scholars become entomologists for a day. In this life science lesson, students go on an insect hunt and investigate insects and their homes. This leads to the creation of an insect by each student. Lesson includes a take-home...
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What A Gas!
Students study various aspects of air. In this science lesson plan, students discover that air occupies space, understand the visual effects of air, and explain how air exerts force.
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Observe a Tree
Tiny tree-huggers observe and examine various species of trees around campus. They use My First Field Guide to Trees to support their observations. Different tree projects are offered that can include using natural materials to make a...