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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The Effects of Temperature Variations on the Heartbeat Rate of Daphnia
Students use DigiScope technology to investigate Daphinia, popularly known as water fleas. They design, conduct, and report on an experiment to determine the effects of varying water temperatures on the heartbeat rate of Daphnia.
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A Family of Planets-Science Puzzlers, Twisters & Teasers
In this space science worksheet, students complete 7 science puzzles, riddles, word scrambles, and teasers about the planets and solar system.
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Staying Young with Vitamin E
Investigate how Vitamin E is used to prevent cell aging. Young scientists coat the surface of apples and bananas with oil, Vitamin E, and water. They place each in a petri dish and cover them to observe oxidation over time. They answer 8...
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Egyptian Hireroglyphs
Fifth graders identify the aspects of Ancient Egyptians and Heiroglyphs. They compare and contrast Egyptian Hieroglyphs with the decimal number system. Students recognize the decimal number system and compares to bases other than ten.
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By Land, Sea or Air
Middle schoolers learn navigational techniques change when people travel to different places. They understand differences between navigation on land, water, air and in space. They explain the concept of dead reckoning as it applies to...
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Topography of Africa
Students study Africa's diverse landscape and investigate how these features impact the available water supply, food sources, and population distribution of the continent. They compare topographical features and
their affect on each...
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Toward a Sustainable Agriculture
Students analyze organic production systems. In this organic agriculture instructional activity, students examine key organic practices for both crop and livestock. This instructional activity includes 5 different activities, 4 critical...
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Oceanic Heat Budget Activities
Students map and research imaginary islands located in different parts of the world. They describe the weather and climate of their island and show how local currents, water temperatures and waves may influence the weather patterns.
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Deep Sea Coral Biodiversity
Students research life forms of both tropical coral reefs and deep-sea coral reefs to discover the biodiversity of the ecosystems. They compare and contrast the diversity and adaptations of the two eco-systems, and draw a picture showing...
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Journey of Discovery and Rivers
Students investigate the rivers encountered and mapped by the Corps of Discovery. They analyze maps, outline and label rivers on a blank map, complete a chart, and answer discussion questions while watching a National Geographic video,...
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Tracking a Virus
Students simulate the spread of a virus such as HIV through a population by "sharing" (but not drinking) the water in a plastic cup with several classmates. Although invisible, the water in a few of the cups will already be tainted with...
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What Is Energy? Short Demos
Students engage in three short, hands-on, in-class demos which expand students' understand of energy. First, using peanuts and heat, students see how the human body burns food to make energy. Then, they create paper snake mobiles to...
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Fertilizers, Pesticides and Human Health
High schoolers define several vocabulary terms related to chemicals and toxicology. Students calculate chemical concentrations in water and explain the toxicological principles that govern safety of substances. High schoolers conduct an...
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Using Models to Communicate
In this models worksheet, students read about how models are used to communicate events or principles in science. They are given an example and answer 4 questions about models. They discuss accuracy and inaccuracy of models. They create...
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Pond Life
Students recognize the habitats of animals that live near or in a pond. In this pond instructional activity, students examine pond water and look for pond organisms. Students observe organisms with a loupe and complete a worksheet.
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Establishing a Baseline Ecology of a Creek Ecosystem
Students investigate the physical, chemical and biological parameters necessary to establish an ecological baseline. Establishing an ecological baseline not only shows the ecological characteristics of a creek but makes the possible...
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Weather Lesson
Students examine the various types of dangerous weather situations. In groups, they focus on the characteristics of a nor'easter and how it forms. They compare and contrast the two main types of nor'easters and examine how one can use...
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War of 1812
Eighth graders locate the major land forms and bodies of water on a map of Louisiana. In groups, they discuss the role of the Mississippi River in the Battle of New Orleans and how land and water affect the outcome of battles. To end...
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Observing Weather
Students investigate the weather by reading children stories. In this weather observation instructional activity, students read Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and several other stories about weather before they create a KWL chart....
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Artificial Limbs & Robotics
Students design and build a mechanism to retrieve wrapped candy through a small hole (e.g. through the top of a water cooler jug). They gain an appreciation for the challenges faced by people who have lost the use of their limbs. They ...
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Terrariums: A Look at the Living and Nonliving World
Third graders examine life in a terrarium and relate it to life in a larger environment. In this terrarium lesson, 3rd graders examine how living and non-living things work together by examining the changes in a terrarium. They make...
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Exploring for Petroleum - Modeling an Oil Reserve
Students experiment with locating oil reserves. In this conservation lesson, students use a cardboard box to create sand, rocks, and an oil reserve (water balloon). They use a probe to dig around in the box to find the oil reserve and...
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Torricelli's Law
Investigate velocity using Torricelli's Law! The class will have a blast solving problems involving velocity and their related equations. They create an equation to represent the flow of the water through a tank. Super helpful tips on...