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Watersheds
Middle schoolers discover the importance of watersheds and how they impact other bodies of water. Using a map, they identify and analyze a watershed in their local area and evaluate the health of the water nearby. In groups, they plan...
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Identifying Birds
Eighth graders identify and name birds in their school yard by comparing and contrasting pictures of 12 common birds in the Phoenix metro area using the Ecology Explorers Protocol. They formulate questions based on observations that lead...
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Evaluating Observations and Measurements
Third graders review the scientific method and how and in which steps scientists use observations and measurements. Then as a class, they hypothesize which ramp will send the car the farthest. They break into groups and send cars down a...
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Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Students analyze and graph the waste created in a typical lunch period. They increase awareness of various types of garbage students create during a lunch period. They construct and label a graph of lunch waste. They brainstorm...
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What Influences Reaction Rate?
Students study reaction rates, what determines how fast a reaction happens and how the chemical changes occur. In this reactions lesson students complete a lab where they use Alka-Seltzer to observe reaction rate and create a graph...
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Work and Power
Young scholars investigate work and power. In this energy lesson, students use the scientific method process to explore how much work and power it takes for a person to climb a stair case.
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What Do Monarch Caterpillars Eat?
Learners record and analyze what types of food monarch caterpillars will eat.
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Flight 2
Students are introduced to two of the four principles of flight: drag and thrust. As the class watches a video on these principles, they utilize ballons, straws and clothepins to simulate what they're seeing in the show. Nice, hands-on...
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The Effects of Environment on Plant Growth: Selecting Seeds for Survival on a New Planet
Fifth graders conduct experiments to compare seed germination and plant growth rates. They construct a hydroponic plant unit and a lighthouse. They care for the plants for a month and collect data for graphs. They write a report.
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The Macaroni Lab
Students are given an introduction to the "ecosystem", what factors make up an ecosystem (biotic factors, abiotic factors, food chain, producers, consumers and decomposers) and how those factors interact.
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How Do Scientists Research For Lab Activities?
Students explore the nature of scientific knowledge. They will also explore how to develop a lab plan to explain the structures of molecules and atoms. Research is essential to the success of the lab using necessary educational software.
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Evolution Lab
Students examine the pattern of natural variation in a society. They examine Darwin's theory of evolution and analyze data. They use computer programs to graphically display the variation in organisms.
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Ice Cold
Students design and conduct an experiment to investigate what happens when salt and ice come together and to determine if one form of salt is better for melting ice on steps and sidewalks.
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IPM Basics
Fourth graders recognize that the term "pest" has a social connotation. They distinguish between good pest management practices and poor pest management practice and demonstrate knowledge of the IPM pyramid.
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Process This
Students chart the steps, including the problem-solving tangent, and discuss the idea of procedures serving to give us a "road map" or guide to help tackle tasks with preparation and forethought.
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Titration and Molarity
Students are introduced to the concepts of molarity and titration. As a class, they develop a list of the correct steps they need to follow to create a specific concentration of a solution. They design and complete an experiment in...
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Bubbles
Students experiment bubbles. In this scientific method lesson, students identify variables used in proper experiment design. Students conduct experiments with different brands of dish-washing detergent to determine which brand makes the...
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In a Family Way
Young scholars research a rare species of animals that are a step away from the well known animals of our zoos. They create a mobile which displays the geography, habits, population and habitat of the animals. They draw a picture.
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Health Care
Students analyze information and draw conclusions about the reality of human life expectancy; the battle between health care technology and our own internal time clocks. Students answer questions such as "Why does aging occur and can...
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"Where is My Food?"
Students investigate the monarch's searching behavior and ability to find food. They determine whether or not a caterpillar can find food in a simple Y-shaped maze. They record and graph or chart the data from several attempts using...
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Forensic Files: A DNA Dilemma
Seventh-graders come in to science class to find a file on their desks detailing a crime to be solved! As a demonstration, you simulate the restriction of DNA samples and separate them by electrophoresis. From the gel, learners can...
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God's Creation
Second graders explore religion by analyzing the state of the country. In this American creation lesson, 2nd graders read that God created the world and therefore the United States and all of the beautiful things within the country....
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Who's the Baddest?
Students are introduced to the realm of social insects, their role in the environment and the biological features that make them unique.
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What Boat Designs Float the Best?
Fifth graders investigate buoyancy by conducting a science experiment. In this water properties lesson, 5th graders predict which of their different paper boat designs will float for the longest period. Students conduct the...