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Introduction to Natural Selection
Students develop an understanding of natural selection, specifically, how it unfolds from generation to generation. They work in small groups to perform an experiment using beans. They use a worksheet imbedded in this plan to guide their...
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Pigs, Pigs, Pigs!
Third graders find information about different breeds of pigs using the Internet, books, and encyclopedias. Groups select one breed of pig that interests them. They construct a stuffed likeness of the pig.
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How To Make a Mummy
Students explore the process of mummification through a British website. They read about why the process began and how it is done. They can follow along in the process in how to make a mummy as well.
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Great Lakes Ecology
Students are able to use a secchi disk to measure the turbidity of water by determining the depth at which the sechi disk is no longer visible and using the data in a formula to quantify the results. They are able to use Vernier probes...
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What's the Matter?
Students explore the components of matter. They discover what matter is, the states of matter, and how heat and cold cause it to change states in an online format. In addition, they complete internet-based lessons, activities, and quizzes.
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Strands Walk-An Ecological Obseravtion
In this ecosystem instructional activity, students investigate an ecosystem at a local park or national forest, they make observations for five minutes, they complete a grid of their observations and they construct a hypothetical food...
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Who Was Charles Darwin?
Young scholars complete two activities to study Charles Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. They read Darwin's journal from the voyage of the Beagle and look at the scientific ideas that influenced the development of his theory.
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They're more evolved that way
Students explore the notion of local evolution, or genetic selectivity among different continent-based human populations. They consider specific examples of local evolution, such as lactose tolerance, skin color, and cognitive capacity,...
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The Gaia Hypothesis: An Approach to Problem Solving in the Environment
Students are introduced to the Gaia hypothesis by examining a conceptual sketch. In groups, they analyze the way they can use Dewey's method for problem solving to solve problems within the environment. They are given a problem facing...
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Classifying Objects
Fourth graders classify living things according to similarities and differences through guided and independent activities. They place objects into groups according to their characteristics and then make a collage of living things...
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Electricity--More Power to Ya!
Fourth graders use research tools to access and synthesize information. They gather and manipulate data using technology. Research and study the components of an electrical circuit. Create a brochure that demonstrates knowledge of how to...
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What's Under My Feet?
Students choose one rock from a collection of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. They use multiple resources to create an informational brochure highlighting their rock. The brochures are combined into a class rock museum to be...
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Scientific Method
Students examine the steps of the scientific method. They define related vocabulary terms, view a PowerPoint presentation, and apply and identify the steps of the scientific method for an online experiment scenario.
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Heredity
Learners are introduced to the basic principles of heredity. Through discussion and discrimination activities, they review the role of chromosomes and distinguish between those traits that can and cannot be inherited. Students use...
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Bat Ecology
Students, through hands on games and activities, discover how bats live and how bats benefit ecosystems. They play a game designed to show them how echolocation works and another to show how mother bats locate their young through their...
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Amazing Arthropods
In this amazing arthropods activity, students read for information and assess comprehension. In this true and false, fill in the bank, multiple choice and short answer activity, students write answers to ten questions.
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Particulate Matter- How Dirty is the Air We Breathe?
Fourth graders investigate air pollution. In this air pollution lesson, 4th graders test the air quality by using a block of wood and petroleum jelly. Students investigate the pollutants on the wooden block.
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A Campfire Conversation
Students examine point of view as it relates to public issues. In this point of view lesson, students become familiar with the point of view of John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt about the wilderness. Students debate if the...
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Pop Rocket - Trash to Treasure
First off, Newton's laws of motion aren't often taught at 2nd grade, so this instructional activity may be more appropriate for upper elementary learners. It begins with a discussion and demonstration of the laws of motion, and then has...
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Future Body
Students explain the benefits of cyborg augmentation. In this technology lesson plan, students research how the nervous system works. They create posters and present them to class.
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Bluebirds
Pupils use the internet to gather information on bluebirds. In groups, they observe and record the size, color and various sounds of the birds. They view photographs of the birds in different stages of development and discuss how they...
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Sensory Competition
Students explore examining something through one sense but experience competing input with another. The lesson also shows the plasticity of the brain and other cognitive functions.
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Arthropods Crossword
In this arthropods worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle with 41 questions about the different types and behaviors of arthropods.
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Development in Drosophila melanogaster
High schoolers study the least familiar aspect of development in Drosophila melanogaster; the development of the pupa. Students isolate and culture "First-day" pupae. They are dissected daily to study the progressive developmental changes.