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Half-Life Lab

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers participate in a lab in which they are introduced to carbon-dating. In groups, they use the holes of paper from a hole puncher and determine the rate of retention after shaking coins onto the same area. They record...
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What Do Genes Look Like?

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders describe the basic structure of the DNA molecule. They identify what an inherited trait is and how it can be determined by one or more genes. Finally, 7th graders identify that plant and animal cells contain several...
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Most Troublesome Exotic Invasive Plant Species Web Quest

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students participate in a Web Quest activity in which they identify common exotic invasive plant species of the Southern Appalachian Region. After identifying the top 10 exotic invasive species, they choose one to research in depth.
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The Queen's Empire

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study insects and make observations about their habitat.  in this insect research lesson students research the Internet to compile information on ants. 
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Endangered Mammals: African and Asian Elephants

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners explore the concept of endangered mammals. In this elephants lesson plan, students research Internet resources regarding African and Asian elephants.
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Evolution: Is It Fact and/or Theory?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners explore the concepts of evolution. In this biology lesson, students read articles from the internet. They discuss the article within the group and answer their handouts.
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Formation of Volcanoes

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore the process of different volcanoes and how plate tectonics plays a role. In this volcanic instructional activity students complete several assignments on plate tectonics.
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The Energy Debate - Sea Level Rise

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students comprehend the impact of global warming on our coastal cities. They appreciate how geographic information systems can be used to represent scientific data. Students research the melting of the ice caps in Antarctica and the Arctic.
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Geoscience Careers

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students explore the world of geosciences and all the career possibilities and options that this field of study offers. They relate this field to engineering and other health professions. Each student utilizes technology to assist them...
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Rain Forest

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders are introduced to three aspects of the rain forest. The three aspects are people, animals, and life. Students further investigate problems that arise as a result of actions by the people and life in the rain forest.
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Genome: The Secret of How Life Works

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students become aware that genetic issues impact many areas of life, such as medicine, food and agriculture, and law. They become aware that there are many ethical issues related to genetics.
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Calendar & Weather Book

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders track weather patterns through the school year. They take daily readings and record them in a weather book.
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Investigation 2 - Greenhouses

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders set up a miniature greenhouse to help them explain how nonliving things affect the growth of living things.
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Ocean Microstructure Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the microstructure of the ocean by analyzing graphs created by Dr. Mike Gregg of the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory during the EPIC 2001 research cruise on the Ronald H. Brown NOAA vessel.
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Physical Characteristics of the Troposphere

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students lexplore environmental trends in the troposphere- temperature, dew point, pressure and wind speed- by checking their hypotheses against data collected by weather balloons.
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Lightning Lesson Plan

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners explore how to read scientific material by reading about the research being conducted by Dr. Rob Cifelli from the Colorado State University.
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Weather Maps

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explain the collection of weather data as presented in different formats. They use appropriate terminology related to weather maps and use the Internet to capture weather data from a city of choice and present a TV style weather...
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Sunscapes

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students share their observations of the Sun, then analyze images collected by NASA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory. They create exhibitions for presentations.
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Researching the Planets

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students use a search engine and links on the Internet to gather research. They record data and cite references used. They organize research into an outline and use a Word Processing program to publish a report.
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Sinking in the Rain (or Drought)

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders, in groups, explore sinkholes and how they effect humans and the natural environment.
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Volcanoes

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study volcanoes. They watch a demonstration that represents the eruption of a volcano and discuss the similarities and differences between the model and a real volcano.
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Static Cling

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine the principles of static electricity and positive and negative charges. They observe and then perform experiments with static electricity. They record examples in their journals.
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Will it Hold A Charge?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discuss which materials they believe hold an electric charge. In groups, they experiment with different objects and charging them. They discuss their results after the activity.
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Fun With Electromagnets

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders construct their own electromagnet out of copper and nails. They discover what objects could be used for magnets. Finally, 5th graders discuss how electric currents are formed.