University of California
Hot! Hot! Hot!
Calories are not tiny creatures that sew your clothes tighter every night, but what are they? A science lesson, presented at multiple levels, has learners experiment with heat, heat transfer, and graph the function over time....
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Freshwater Fish Anatomy & Taxonomy
Tenth graders use a classification key to identify organisms. In this classification lesson plan students identify freshwater species of fish and document their observations.
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Different Types of Orange Juice Contain the Same Amounts of Vitamin C?
Students measure and compare the amount of vitamin C in orange juice samples. They discover the effects of different factors on the concentration of vitamin C. They participate in an experiment to test the orange juice.
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Feeding in the Flow
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has developed a tremendous library of ocean-themed lessons that can be used in a variety of science settings. "Feeding in the Flow" is one of those activities; Its focus is on...
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Roots: The Ancestry of Modern People
High schoolers investigate the models for the origin of modern humans and the conditions that facilitate speciation and evolution. The classification and nomenclature of hominid species is also examined.
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To Dam or Not to Dam
Young ecologists explore the Aswan Dam in Egypt via the internet. Each collaborative group is assigned a specific article about the ecological impact of the dam. Then they prepare a presentation to share with the rest of the class. Some...
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This Old Tubeworm
High schoolers plot data to construct and interpret a graph about vestimentiferans at cold-seep sites in the Gulf of Mexico. In this deep sea lesson, students plot data provided for the growth of tubeworms. They use the graphs to...
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Niches and Adaptations
Students present information about a species, its niche, and adaptations. In this lesson plan on animal environments, students explore how surroundings can affect a given population resulting in adaptation.
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Cutt-Off Genes
High schoolers explore how gene sequence analysis can be used to examine phylogenetic similarities of different organisms. Students work in groups to simulate a gel electrophoresis separation of fragments using poster board to create...
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What Is a Species?
Students are able to recognize that scientists use different definitions of species. They are able to assess the strengths and limitations of species definitions depending on their context. Students are able to use definitions of...
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Water Layering and Circulation
Students examine relationships and interactions between different types of water. They experiment with colored water of different temperature and salinity and discuss how the results relate to real ocean currents.
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Exponential Decay
Students study exponential decay and its application to radiocarbon dating. In this exponential decay lesson, students use candy to model the time it takes for something to decay. Students also graph the data they collect and...
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The Breathtaking Nature of the Urban Explosion, Part 4
High schoolers explore the respiratory system. They use a computer to monitor the respiratory rate of an individual. They determine residual oxygen levels in exhaled air. Students evaluate how internal 02 and C02 concentrations...
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Microbes: Too Smart for Antibiotics?
Students examine how germs spread from one person or object to another. They discuss antibiotic resistant bacteris and examine the benefits of microorganisms. They explore methods of curbing antibiotic resistance.
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Cell Cycle Duration
Students examine the cell cycle and how its duration can vary. In this cells lesson students complete a worksheet and answer questions.
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How Do New Species Form?
Learners read an article by Niles Eldridge about species and the environment and break into small groups to discuss it. They write essays noting strengths and weaknesses of punctuated equilibrium and gradualism, or other topics listed.
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Biofilms Are Everywhere
Learners research biofilms and create brochures. They role play as advertising firm members assigned to educate the general public about biofilms. They create "wanted dead or alive" posters about harmful and helpful biofilms respectively.
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Fast Food: You Can Choose!
Students research the nutritional value of fast food. They assess which fast foods are best and worst to eat. They organize their data into tables and graphs and explain their findings to other students.
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The Electric Sieve
Students examine different mixtures and how they can be separated. In this electric sieve lesson students complete an activity that allows them to separate mixtures.
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Make A Mummy: The Science of Mummification
Students research the history of mummification. They work together to create an apple mummy. They write a paragraph about what they gathered while doing the experiment.
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Spineless - YES... Helpless - NO!
Young scholars distinguish between invertebrate and vertebrate organisms while examining the zoological classes of a number of invertebrates. They illustrate a food web of these organisms and investigate the impact of humans on the...
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Our Universe: Designed or Evolved?
Students brainstorm and write arguments for Evolution and Intelligent Design. They research the history of each of these ideas. They also examine the controversy of teaching one or both ideas in schools.
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Human Body Systems
Seventh graders investigate the structure and function of body systems and their inter-relationships. They draw and label the major body systems, observe demonstrations of various body systems, define key vocabulary terms, and compare...
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Who Owns Rights to Pharmacogenetic Information?
Students develop an understanding of the rationale of ownership over scientific information. They research commercial applications of DNA sequences. They analyze how to evaluate medical ethics issues.