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Coat Caper
Students examine pollen and fibers taken from a garment. They analyze pollen from new hybrids and compare it to the samples from the garment then make individual conclusions concerning the specific historical authenticity of the garment.
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Is Organic Food Worth the Extra Cost?
Students calculate the amount of pesticide residue in selected foods for two
pesticides and determine if these levels are safe. They read an article about a
research study looking for metabolites of these pesticides in children. Finally,...
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Introduction to Toxicology
Students explore the science of toxicology and the relationship between a toxic reaction (response) and amount of substance (dose). They observe two demonstrations illustrating the concept of dose-response.
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Erosion: Changing the Face of Earth
Fourth graders explore how the landscape of the planet can be changed by different elements of wind, water, ice and chemicals through hands-on activities. They examine pictures of areas around town and discuss anything they think is out...
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Exploring the Dynamic Nature of the Sun
Students compare and contrast images of the sun taken at different times and viewed at different scales. They record their observations in a journal and create a graphic organizer to help analyze their observations.
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Potential and Kinetic Energy
Sixth graders explore potential and kinetic energy. In this science instructional activity, 6th graders assume the role of a roller coaster engineer and design a roller coaster. Students use their knowledge of kinetic and potential...
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Disorders of the Brain
Students, in groups, conduct research about a specific disorder of the brain, create a character study of a person with that brain disorder, and then present the information to the rest of the class.
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Observing Rocks
Fifth graders explore the various properties of earth and rocks. They play "Twenty Questions" with the teacher, and analyze a rock using a magnifying glass. They record their rock observations and list the differences between the wet...
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Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy
Students calculate the values of electron binding energies. In this physics instructional activity, students solve for different wavelength characteristics of X-rays. They present their findings to the class.
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Automated Vehicle Programming Design
Students design a program to make an automated vehicle perform a specific task. In this robotics lesson, students play the role of scientists competing to win a factory's contract. They present their algorithm to class.
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Spring Awakenings
Young scholars observe changes in a selected tree bud/leaf during spring. They record changes in the bud/leaf using words, pictures and numbers. They understand that trees adapt to changes in temperature, light, and moisture by sprouting...
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Inheritance Intrigue
Students slve a case of unclear heredity using three lines of evidence and knowledge gained from the instructional activity in this biology instructional activity about Mendelian inheritance. The instructional activity includes handouts...
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A Town in Trouble
Students identify and describe the parameters and analytical techniques used to characterize water contamination in a class presentation. They identify the consequences of high contamination levels in the water supply during a class...
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On the Surface
Students draw and label the 15 major rivers in Texas. They then draw and label another map with the major lakes and reservioirs of Texas. Students use the maps and locate and label the location of the following major Texas cities:...
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Who Wants to be a Cellular Biologist?
Eighth graders review concepts in cellular biology. For this biology lesson, 8th graders play an interactive game based on the idea of winning money. They discuss misconceptions about the topic.
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Surface Water Supplies And The Texas Settlements
Students engage in a lesson plan that is concerned with the allocation and finding of water resources. The location of different settlement areas is considered as one looks how the water is distributed. They map some of the early Spanish...
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Science: Testing Water for Toxicity
Students investigate the potential toxicity of water samples using California blackworms to test water quality. They observe the worms' behaviors in different water samples and determine which sample has the highest toxicity. At the...
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Protecting the Herd
Pupils explain how immunizing a significant proportion of a population against a disease prevents epidemics of the disease (herd immunity). They list factors that affect the proportion of a population that must be immunized to prevent...
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Ions in the Environment
Students explain the importance of the five main biogeochemical cycles. For this chemistry lesson, students discuss how ions are transported in the environment. They design an experiment to collect data on eutrophication.
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Cloning and Related Issues
Eighth graders research information on cloning and the surrounding issues online. They analyze the issues surrounding cloning and present their point of view with supporting details in a Powerpoint presentation.
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Class Final Report - Global Sun Temperature Project
Learners reflect on the data they have analyzed during the Global Sun Temperature Project. They use the project website as a resource for their observations, draft a class report and post it on the Internet.
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Testing Soils for Garden Planting
Sixth graders collect soil samples and record the location of the samples by using GPS.
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Draw your Conclusions
Students analyze data from a student discussion website and write a report on the outcome of an investigation regarding their local water quality. As part of a larger unit students then post the summary of their investigation on the...
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The Importance of Water
Young scholars explore the importance of water. They discuss why water is important and students design an experiment that evaluates the water quality and methods of improving water quality. Young scholars perform testing and report...