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Weather and Oceans: Uneven Heating of the Earth

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students investigate what causes the heat on Earth.  In this Earth heating lesson, students experiment with different heat sources and determine where the Earth gathers the most heat.  Students explore vocabulary words...
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Encouraging Inquiry-Based Research

For Teachers K - 4th
Students categorize questions they generate in preparation for pursuing answers that expand their existing knowledge. They create KWL charts and respond to journal questions to enable them to inquire to their fullest capacity.
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Understanding Climate

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders create two dioramas out of household materials to compare the influence of various factors that impact climate. Each group discuss how the change in factors influenced the climate, flora, and fauna of their area.
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Ecology and the Conservation of Natural Resources

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students examine the components of ecosystems. They compare and contrast an ecosystem to an aquatic ecosystem. They examine a local ecosystem and discuss its components.
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Ecology and the Conservation of Natural Resources Lesson 2

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students compare and contrast abiotic and biotic factors. They discuss how these factors effect ecosystems. They answer questions to complete the activity.
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Air Quality and Transportation in the Tulsa Area

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students investigate the effects of air pollution. For this environmental lesson, students discuss the causes of air pollution and identify how transportation has an effect on the air quality. Students identify other alternatives to...
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Survival Under a Rock

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate ways that animals adapt to their environments through hands-on activities using isopods and an interactive video.
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Farm Tech Trek

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore Global Positioning Systems.
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Populations and Ecosystems

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders examine the factors that influence the stability of ecosystems. They construct a miniature ecosystem in a jar that includes plants, small fish, and snails, record the population changes over a period of four weeks, and...
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Creating an Experimental Design

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research the damage to the environment by certain plant species. They create an experimental design which they test how these species take over certain habitats. They share their information with the class.
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So -- What's Happening Here, On This Old Christmas Tree Farm?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students review their prior knowledge on biomes and ecosystems. At a local Christmas tree farm, they work together in groups to identify the changes occuring in the area. They participate in solving a mystery in which they determine the...
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What Structures and Behaviours Can Be Observed in Vinegar Eels?

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students view vinegar eels under a microscope at different magnifications. They use a DigiScope with the camera attachment in place of the eyepiece. Students count the number of thrashing movements in 10 seconds. They repeat this three...
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Clean Air: Our Health Matters

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students learn about the human respiratory system. In this pollution lesson, students identify the parts of the respiratory system and what happens to them when they breathe in polluted air. Students learn about the importance of...
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Garbage Pizza

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the concept of waste management. In this recycling lesson, 4th graders identify materials that must be landfilled as well as items that may be recycled or reused.
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Winogradsky in a Bottle: Beginning a Winogradsky Column

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study changes in the environment using a microscale experiment. In this environmental science lesson, students construct a modified "Winogradsky Column" to observe bacteria activities. They record observations and formulate a...
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Dewey and Chemistry: The Water Cycle Revisited

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students undertake a series of experiments related to the water cycle. All experiments use John Dewey's experiential philosophy as their bases. Each lesson is clearly based on philosophy and attempts to be relevant.
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Water Pressure - Disparity of Resources

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the disparity of resources between developing and industrialized nations, and research the problem of water availability as world populations increase and natural resources are stressed.
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Aztec Floating Gardens

For Teachers K - 7th
Aztecs created amazing hydroponic gardens called Chinampas, to grow their crops. Learners in grades k-7 engage in four mini-experiments to understand just how amazing floating gardens are. Tip: A perfect way to bring science into your...
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The Urban Heat Island Effect - Lesson 2 (Grades 8-9)

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Young scholars use the scientific process to show that when various surfaces are exposed to similar environmental conditions, surface temperatures may vary. They examine the "urban heat island" phenomenon and analyze why it increases...
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Can You Control Floods

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students assume the role of an engineer or planner. As an engineer or planner they must come up with ideas that can be put into place to control floods. They produce a working model of flood control.
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Just Bee-Tween Flowers!

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students examine the major plant and bee parts and the interdependency between bees and fast plants. They observe and record the stages of growth of fast plants, take photos of the plant's life cycle, and cross-pollinate plants.
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The Rock Cycle

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders study the 3 main types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic. They examine samples of these types of rocks and discuss ways to tell what kind of rock each is. They take notes and draw pictures in their science...
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Genetically Modified Foods

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain what genetically modified foods are and how they are created. Students use appropriate vocabulary to describe and effectively discuss the benefits of, and potential risks of, genetically modified foods.
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Beautiful Bovine

For Teachers K - 4th
Students compare and contrast a human body to a cow. Using a diagram, they label and identify the functions of the cow's numerous parts. In groups, they create a Venn Diagram to compare the various types of cows with one another. They...