University of Minnesota
Dendritic Spines Lab
This is your brain on drugs ... literally! Your neuroscientists-in-training examine the evidence of drug use on the human brain and how neurons change their connectivity when altered by drugs. They then work together to create testing...
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Population Density
Middle schoolers use the scientific method to conduct an experiment and use varied methods to gather background information. They correctly use lab equipment and prepare tables and graphs that organize, conclude, and present their...
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Precipitation Monitoring
Young scholars monitor the pH level of the precipitation in their local area for one month. In this hands-on activity, students use lab equipment to measure the pH levels and an online tool to track their findings. Ultimately, young...
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Ethnic Foods Exchange
Students examine the following topics: geography and culture, types of foods, cooking utensils, and cooking techniques used. They present in groups, then prepare ethnic food products.
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A Visit To The Station
Learners discuss the role of the firefighter. In this firefighter lesson, students visit a fire station and see the equipment that firefighters use. They complete a math page on numbers and write a journal entry describing their fire...
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Vive Le Quebec Libre!
Students use video, the Internet and CD-ROM's to investigate the cultural and linguistic traditions of Quebec, Canada. They identify the reasons behind the secession from Canada movement.
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Group Rotation
Ninth graders review lab equipment safety procedures and utilize safe and behavior while there. They then edit and combine digital photographs to create realistic images using Adobe Photoshop.
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Reflecting on Reflectivity
Students plan and construct a "mini-lab" to measure the reflectivity of different earth surfaces. They measure reflectivity of materials, including ice, soil, rocks, etc., and then extrapolate from what they have learned to consider the...
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Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down: Grasping the Idea of Evolution
Students compare and their performance of a series of tasks using their thumb and fingers to their performance of the same tasks without the use of their thumb. The class discussion that follows the activity defines and discusses the...
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Celebration of Cultures
Students create a multimedia project to represent their own culture and personal identity. They design a personal Coat of Arms using a computer graphics program and digital camera, write a script and film an interview, and contribute a...
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TOPSY TURVY MAPS
Eighth graders use the data analyzer and motion detector to collect data and measure distances. They create topographic maps drawn to scale of a given setup and relate the concepts to the creation of historical ocean maps.
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Social Issues
Students examine issues that affect Americans every day and create a documentary regarding a selected topic. In small groups they select an issue, conduct Internet research, and create an information sheet. Students write interview...
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Thank You... Thomas Edison!
Students investigate the life of Thomas Edison. They research how he made a difference. They understand that accurate data collection is important for math. They create a chart using spreadsheet data.
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GEOBOP State Standards
Third graders write a report and draw a picture of the state of their choice. They use the internet to research their state's flower and write a paragraph about it. They also practiced inserting a picture from the internet to a word...
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Tallahassee Project
Sixth graders gather information from technological sources such as TV, radio, and Internet as well as from newspapers and maps and produce a final printed report. They use the data to create a spreadsheet and read a Florida state...
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The History of Scrabble
Learners discover the history and rules to the classic board game, Scrabble. In this spelling lesson, students complete a KWL chart on Scrabble and present their findings in an oral report. Learners work in pairs to reenact...
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The Progressive Era
Eighth graders utilize the SOAP method to analyze a work of art and relate it to what they know about the Progressive Era and the reasons why cities changed and the ways in which cities changed during the end of the 19th century. They...
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Adoption Stories
Although originally designed for young film makers who wanted to enter their videos in a contest, the step-by-step instructions included here would serve as a guide for any video project. Classes with no access to video editing software...
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Strategic Games Y1: Nim
First graders play Nim online to practice problem solving skills and strategies.
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The Kindness Company
Learners organize themselves into a simulated company complete with applications, interviews and training. They identify a community need they can fulfill related to cooking or sewing and work to make and deliver the designated product.
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Weblog Lesson Plan
Fourth graders include a brochure in a blog entry. In this blogging lesson, 4th graders design a brochure about a tourist attraction. They include the brochure in a blog and share it with the class.
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Women in Science
Students study the roles that women have played in science throughout history. They work in small groups while visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
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Separate But Equal Video
Eighth graders watch the video "Separate But Equal." They choose an incident or event from the video that is interesting or meaningful to them and write an objective news article and an editorial.
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Choose Your Own Adventure
Students investigate the historical underground railroad. They also access technology to conduct research and write stories with the railroad as part of the historical fiction. The cumulative assessment is the creation of a book that...