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Preparing for the Possibility of Terrorists
High schoolers investigate what schools and communities can do to be prepared for terrorist attacks, review school's disaster plan, research types of possible attacks, prepare infographic that makes facts clear, and write news article...
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Conservation vs. Economic Growth
Investigate the choices people make between economic growth and personal growth and development using the ethical/decision making model. Small groups create and present a position paper describing their feeling for or against the...
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The Living Environment
In this living environment worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle given 34 clues about the various species in the environment that produce, consume and decompose. Topics also include photosynthesis, respiration, glucose, organic...
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Children's Books
Students explore daily dilemmas students face. They write and illustrate a story book dealing with one dilemma. Students write reviews of their books. They read their books to second grade students. Additional cross curriculum activities...
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What Repair Proteins are Expressed in C-Ferns After Exposure to Varying Amounts of UV Radiation?
Students examine the life cycle of c-ferns. They complete experiments on the organisms exposing them to differnet amount of UV radiation. They collect data and analyze their results.
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Acid Rain
Simulated acid rain, a dilute sulfuric acid solution, needs to be prepared for this demonstration. After a condensed lecture on acid rain, you will apply the solution to a sample of granite and a sample of limestone. Your young...
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Understanding Stereotypes
Pupils confront age-related stereotypes, explore how stereotyping impacts their lives, and discuss how they can make changes to reduce over-generalizations, unfair assumptions, and critical judgments about people groups. They use a...
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Ecology
Students explore, experience and experiment identifying the human impact on the environment of vegetative differences within the same biome. They assess what causes deserts, rain forests, savannahs, tundras and saguaros and how these...
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DNA, the Awesome Thread of Life
Students examine how traits are passed to offspring. In this genetic reproduction lesson students develop a model of dna and learn about its structure, replication and function.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Impacts of Climate on Forest Succession
Part two in a series of four explores the effects of climate on succession or the changing of plant species in a forest. Groups review how to identify trees and then spend a day in the field collecting extensive data on trees to...
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The Right Tool for the Job: Fishing Tools and Technology
Students use modern technology to research the history, design, and function of a specific tool or piece of fishing technology. They create a timeline and story about the evolution of the tool.
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Blood Analysis
Pupils reconstruct a crime scene to produce the blood spatter pattern. For this forensic science lesson, students describe the events that lead to produce such patterns. They explain the importance of blood analysis in solving crimes.
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Proteins Expressed At Different Stages
Students investigate protein electrophoresis in a lab setting. Full laboratory equipment is needed and safety should be taught. The level of prior knowledge needed to perform lab is high and is ideal for an honors class.
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Parts of the Cell
High schoolers examine plant and animal cells to observe the organelles present in the cell, to match the function of each to the organelle on a cell model and to build a model of the plant or animal cell.
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How Do We Balance Environmental Conservation with Human Needs?
Learners role play a meeting between conservation biologists and local representatives who want to advance the livelihood of local population. In this history instructional activity, students research the necessities and conservation...
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DNA Extraction
Students are able to extract and observe a visible amount of DNA from Escherichia coli cells. They discuss the properties of DNA. Students confirm the presence of DNA by a reaction with an indicator.
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Language Arts: Plot Summary
Eighth graders implement plot summary organizers to identify essential elements such as conflict and resolution in literature. In pairs, they retell fairy tales to each other and complete plot summaries about them. As students read new...
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Design Challenge: Cup in the Cupboard
Students design device that will place a cup into a cupboard for a physically challenged person. They study the engineering design and how structure relates to function.
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Nature and Fitness Trail
Students plan stations for a nature and fitness trail and construct an accompanying e-Book for extended descriptions at each station. Data on the human impact on the environment is gathered in this activity.
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Cell Game
Make a prototype of a game based on cell biology. Researching game design and working in groups to create a game will activate knowledge of cell biology. The review task will help students learning as they test out the games and their...
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Handing a Rogue State: North Korea
Students explore the concept of disarmament. In this North Korea lesson, students apply the steps of conflict resolution to the North Korean nuclear crisis as they create flowcharts designed to establish multilateral talks and resolve...
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Recycling: The Way to Save...Fad or Fact
Students write stories about recycling and illustrate them. They examine various containers and determine whether or not they are recyclable. They make a chart about the containers and visit a recycling center.
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Dissolved Oxygen and Photosynthesis: 1
Students are taught that plants produce oxygen underwater, and they design an experiment that test this question. They discuss whether plants give off oxygen, and how to measure this. Students measure the increase in dissolved oxygen...
Out of Africa Wildlife Park
A Thematic Learning Guide to Lions
Written as an accompaniment to a field trip to the Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Arizona, this is an interdisciplinary, themed instructional activity on lions. Even if you cannot take your upper-elementary kids to this attraction, there...