Michigan Sea Grant
Wetlands
Wetlands may not sound particularly ornate, but they are as important as any habitat! With a hands-on activity, young scientists build a wetland model and observe its many functions in action. They discover the importance of wetlands to...
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WHO CARES FOR THE LAND?
Students explore the importance of natural resources. They are given copies of the story, "Who Cares For The Land," and students follow
along as the teacher reads it. Students identify the key points in the story. (Soil, water and air...
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Where in the World? Biomes of the Earth
Students research a biome. In this biomes of the Earth lesson, students discuss what they already know about ecology and view pictures of different biomes. Students work in groups to research a different biome. Students use the...
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Frogs Losing Ground
Learners explore an exhibit through an interactive program on frogs. They can listen to the different sounds frogs make and the different types of frogs. They search for the types of frogs they find in their local area.
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Primary Energy Sources Pros and Cons
Students explore the different types of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. In this earth science activity, students discuss the pros and cons of each type. They conduct a variety of experiments on renewable energy.
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Getting the "Yuck" Out
Students examine various types of household materials for their usefulness as filters. They work together in teams to design a filtration system that produces the cleanest water in the shortest time.
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Oil Spill
Fourth graders watch a video about the types of products made from oil or oil used as energy to produce the product. In groups, they identify the positive and negative aspects of oil and participate in various activities. They use the...
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The Rotten Truth
Fourth graders watch a video about how much solid waste is produced by each person and how it is disposed of. Using the internet, they identify and interpret data on the type of trash thrown out the most. They offer possible solutions...
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Science: Making Career Connections
Students explore careers in oceanography. They compare and contrast requirements for careers in the field, and determine what high school courses would help to prepare them. Finally, they create a computer-based project related to...
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Bean and Ozone Project
Students performed an experiment in which they grew beans in an ozone chamber and some in regular air in order to see if the ozone causes damage to the plants.
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Biomes: Freshwater & Seawater
Students observe organisms behavior and adaptations. In this biomes lesson students conduct fieldwork to determine water quality and answer questions about the differences between different habitats.
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Electricity Sources
In this electricity worksheet, students review the different types of energy sources including fossil fuels, solar, wind, and nuclear energy. This worksheet has 10 fill in the blank questions.
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Migration Woes
Young scholars are able to describe the reproductive cycle of the gopher frog. They are able to describe the impacts of habitat loss and degradtion on gopher frog populations. Students are explained that many factors limit the survival...
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World of the Pond Data Sheet
In this pond worksheet, students study aspects associated with pond water and pond life. Students complete 26 fill in the blank questions to complete the data chart of observations.
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Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Resources
Fifth graders, after brainstorming why conservation of resources is important, distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources. They make a list of different types of natural resources on the board and then sort them into two...
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Martha Who?
Students explore how the number and types of organisms an ecosystem can support depends on the resources available and on abiotic factors, such as quantities of light and water, a range of temperatures, soil composition. They are...
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Avoiding Sports Injuries
Students research sports injuries and how to deal with the injury. In this injury prevention lesson, the teacher introduces several exercise risk factors and prevention techniques, then students work in small groups to conduct research...
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Where's the Point?
Pupils examine runoff for the causes, the impact, and the solution. For this investigative lesson students construct a three dimensional model of a watershed and provide information of contaminated runoff to their audience.
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Report of Shop, Factory, Mill or Industrial Establishment
Students examine the pollution survey created in response to the Public Health Laws of 1903, and compare/contrast polluting factory discharges in 1903 to those allowed today. They analyze the report survey, complete a worksheet, and...
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Environmental Justice
Students investigate the problem of pollution and its effects on the environment. The use of questions for research stimulate thinking and advanced problem solving skills. The important skill of reflection is used to help students form...
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Identifying Wetlands
Students describe three major categories of indicators that are used to delineate wetlands. In this wetlands activity students visit a wetland and make observations then complete an activity using the soil.
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Weather Emergency Safety
Young scholars identify different types of weather emergencies that may happen during the seasons. They list the steps involved when taking cover and fleeing dangerous weather patters. A comprehensive list of service agencies that can...
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The Effects of Agricultural Fertilizer Runoff Upon Aquatic Ecosystems
Students measure the toxic levels of runoff and discuss the effects it would have on the aquatic system. In this runoff lesson plan, students answer questions to how runoff would affect the animals in an aquatic system.
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Out & About: Waterways
Students visit science museums. In this hands-on science lesson, students visit the Leith Conservation Trust, Catalyst, and the River and Rowing Museum in person or online to study Britain's waterways.