Lesson Plan
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The Characteristics of Living Things

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore the characteristics of living things. In this living things lesson plan, 8th graders review as a class the cell theory and the characteristics of living things. They answer questions about how to determine if...
Lesson Plan
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Schoolyard Field Guide

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders observe, plan, research, and create a field guide for the trees that are in their schoolyard. In this trees lesson plan, 4th graders make careful observations of what they see around their school and create a guide.
Lesson Plan
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Applied Science - Science and Math Post-Lab

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students use scientific tools. In this Applied Science lesson, students investigate the use of scientific tools to enhance observation and discovery. Students indicate how each tool assists scientific work.
Interactive
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Bluebirds Project

For Students 4th - 8th
In this bluebirds project activity, students are given directions on completing a project about bluebirds including measurements, scientific method questions, data entry, and more. Students complete 15 exercises.
Lesson Plan
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Methods of Mystery

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students utilize the scientific method to discover the age of an item.  In this historical dating lesson plan, students compare and contrast a 400 year old cabinet to one made within a few years by using carbon dating....
Lesson Plan
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Traditional Stories about Wind

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students observe and talk about wind using no weather instruments. In this wind lesson plan, students use their senses to observe wind. They also interview an Elder about wind.
Lesson Plan
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Egging It

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders discover scientific processes by conducting an experiment in class. In this osmosis instructional activity, 6th graders utilize eggs, cooking ingredients, string and plastic cups to create an experiment in which they watch...
Lesson Plan
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The Solar System: Why do we Explore?

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders act as scientists. In this property discovery lesson plan, 3rd graders explore the substance "Oobleck" (cornstarch, water, food coloring). They work in groups to investigate the substance and make observations as a...
Lesson Plan
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Classify That!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars explore diverse forms of life by using modern biological classification systems to group animals that are related. Students then study basic scientific groupings like genus, species, mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, and...
Lesson Plan
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The Flat Earth

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Young scholars use scientific explanations to discuss the shape of the Earth. In this research based lesson, students will explore various concepts about how scientist use evidence to determine if the Earth is flat or round. Young...
Lesson Plan
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Seashell Discovery: A Lesson in Inductive Classification

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine the shells, observing texture, shape, pattern and structure. They should come up with any system of grouping the shells they like, and classify the shells.
Lesson Plan
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Weather Patterns

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders collect and chart weather data over the course of the school year either using tools at school or media resources. They agree on weather terms to use in their observations and write them on the assigned sheet. Finally,...
Lesson Plan
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Magnify That

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students observe many different objects using a magnifying lens. For this magnification lesson plan, students learn that scientists use different tools, and they use the tool to magnify objects in the classroom to see objects in better...
Worksheet
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Activity Three -- Rutherford's Discovery (Student Page ) A Lab Experiment in Physics

For Students 9th - 11th
This discovery student page offers students an opportunity to work as a team to discover the shape of an object they cannot see. It is an experiment which parallels particle physicists dilemma in not being able to see very small...
Lesson Plan
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Motion in Fluids

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore physical science by participating in a science activity. In this liquids lesson, students discuss how fluids can be affected by motion unlike solids. Students define other scientific vocabulary terms and conduct a motion...
Lesson Plan
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Oobleck

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students incorporate within this lesson scientific observations, senses: touch, sound, smell and sight, classification, states of matter and surface tension. Students make a substance and use scientific observations, as well as their...
Lesson Plan
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Does salt have an effect on the temperature of ice?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore the effect that salt has on the temperature of ice. In this scientific inquiry lesson, students observe an experiment to see how cold  ice can get when salt is added. Students then explore how the ice compares to...
Lesson Plan
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Heat Loss

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students comprehend how heat loss is affected by exposed surface area. They decide what type of and how many data to collect. Students decide how the results should be presented. They make a series of accurate observations
Lesson Plan
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Water Snails

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students study water snails. In this water snails lesson, students research the habitats of water snails. After conducting research, students investigate water snails in their habitats and generate scientific observations.
Lesson Plan
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Scientific Method in Action

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the current environmental movement by cleaning up their own campus.  In this environmental care lesson, students practice cleaning their "environment" by picking up trash on their campus and decrease litter by...
Lesson Plan
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How Are Soils Classified?

For Teachers K - 5th
Students list the three texture groups that classify soils. They classify a soil sample as sandy, silty or clay soil.
Worksheet
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Scientific Problem Solving

For Students 5th - 12th
In this problem solving activity, students will conduct an experiment to answer this question: "How does watching too much television affect us?" Students will form a hypothesis, collect data, analyze their data, and draw a conclusion....
Lesson Plan
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An Approach to Chemistry via the Analysis of Art Objects: The Scientific Method, Laboratory Safety, Light and Color Theory

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars create a painting that clearly exemplifies the use of primary pigments to make secondary pigments. They demonstrate the distinction between value and saturation. They explain the affect of adjacent colors on each other...
Lesson Plan
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Observing Lava Flows

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners examine the difference between fast and slow spreading lava flows. They identify various types of lava flow and determine the factors that cause them to form. Viewing photographs of lava flows, students working in groups,...