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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bacterial Transformation

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Learners explore DNA recombination. For this biology lesson, students observe the growth of microscopic species. They predict the phenotype of the transformed colonies.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Perils of Drinking Water

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students determine the presence of drugs in water. In this chemistry activity, students experiment on water samples using thin layer and column chromatography. They determine the concentration of drugs present using graphical analysis.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alka Rockets! An Introduction to Kinetics

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students identify the factors that influence reaction rates. In this chemistry lesson, students design an experiment to test one factor they identified. They perform the experiment and share the results to the entire class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fun with Balloons

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders design their own hot air balloon. In this science instructional activity, 5th graders investigate how factors like weight and sizes affect a balloon's lifting power. They also write math problems based on facts...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Paper Dutch Kite

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars construct a Dutch Kite using simple materials. In this math lesson plan, students measure kite dimensions according to specified instructions. They also describe and define the different parts of a kite.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Up, Up and Away with the Montgolfier Balloon

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students construct hot air balloons. In this science lesson, students assemble their own balloon using tissue paper and glue. They time the duration of the flight, record data and calculate team averages.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Grow Some Microbes!

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students investigate the effect that sterile and non-sterile environments have on growth of microbes. In this biology lesson, students observe the appearance of sample test tubes for 7 days. They explain why some test tubes' appearance...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using technology to engage students in science through inquiry research

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students study animals and their behaviors.  In this animal behavior lesson students divide into groups and collect data and research animal behaviors. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Magic Mirror Box

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students observe a plywood box with mirrors. For this mirror and light lesson, students make informal, individual investigations with a plywood box that has been fitted with mirror squares. They use observation skills and investigate...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Steps To An Inquiry Process

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the research process. The finding of information about the indian tribes of Montana provides the context for student practice. They identify the problem and generate questions to find answers. The main...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hello Bingo!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars in an ESL class practice their English by talking to their classmates. Using a worksheet, they put the name of their classmate that meets the criteria in the box. They compete with one another to get five boxes in a row to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Do Scientists Research For Lab Activities?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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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Lesson Plan
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: Ed Online: What Do Inquiry Based Lesson Plans Look Like?

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Inquiry-based lesson plans are usually referred to as "facilitation plans," to help teachers remember their role as facilitator of learning, rather than fount of all wisdom. The notion also helps teachers structure lessons more loosely...
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Website
Other

Nasa: Iss Earth Kam

For Students 9th - 10th
Students get a whole new perspective of the world through images obtained from the International Space Station. Students can even request images to be taken through ISS EarthKAM. Activities and educator guides are provided.
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Graphic
Reading Rockets

Reading Rockets: Strategies: Inquiry Chart

For Students 1st - 9th
This instructional strategy strategy encourages students to gather information about a topic from several sources.
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Lesson Plan
Google

Google for Education: Machine Testing

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students test the functionality of a mysterious new machine whose operations are described to the class, but cannot be opened up for further investigation. Students come up with a testing strategy for this machine, test it according to...
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Professional Doc
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Write in the Middle: Workshop 5: Teaching Multigenre Writing

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Workshop 5 centers on multigenre writing, an eclectic approach to writing instruction that offers students a wide range of options for expressing ideas and communicating knowledge. As students explore different avenues for translating...
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Activity
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Interactive Forum

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Read two poems and follow the prompts to interpret them using four approaches: reader response, inquiry, cultural studies, and critical pedagogy. Use the prompts to guide personal reflection, launch a lesson with students, or join an...
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Activity
NOAA

Noaa: Tying Knots to Solve Problems [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn how to tie different types of knots and discover how they are useful in everyday experiences.
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Professional Doc
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: Ed Online: Inquiry Based Learning: Inquiry in Action: In Classrooms

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Three sets of videos - ten in all - showing teachers using inquiry-based learning in real classrooms.
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Activity
Technovation

Curiosity Machine: Challenges: Make a Signal Horn

For Students 9th - 10th
Build a signal horn to make low-frequency sounds that can be heard from far away in this STEM lesson. Use this interactive site to document your design process. Included on the site is a video explaining a possible solution to the problem.
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Activity
Technovation

Curiosity Machine: Challenges: Make a Wave Machine

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Take the design challenge to make a wave machine with simple materials on this site. Site contains a design challenge and an interactive journal to document the challenge. Find a video with an example of one way to make the wave machine.
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Activity
Technovation

Curiosity Machine: Challenges

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Curiosity Machine provides a free, high-interest STEM lessons for students. In this lesson, students will construct a stegosaurus tail that is capable of breaking through a piece of paper. Site includes process and tips to solve design...
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Activity
Technovation

Curiosity Machine: Challenge: Build a Blooming Flower

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Can you create a blooming flower that would attract pollinators? This Curiosity Machine project challenges students to make this flower using common household items. Site includes a place for students to document their process as well as...