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Fossil Fuels vs. Alternative Fueling Systems
Fourth graders brainstorm the differences between the fossil fuels that people use in their transportation now and what they could use to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. They use a variety of techniques from webquests to writing...
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SETI WebQuest and the Drake Equation
Learners complete a WebQuest where they research the Internet for extraterrestrial intelligence. In this extraterrestrial lesson plan, students also explore how the Drake Equation can predict the occurrence of life elsewhere.
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Oceans and Weather
Students analyze the impact the ocean and its currents have on weather. In this oceans and weather lesson, students analyze data comparing inland and coastal weather, and analyze satellite data for evidence of El Nino.
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Energy Efficiency Ambassadors
Students compare two products that provide the same function but require different amounts of energy. In this energy efficiency lesson students research and demonstrate energy efficiency in action and how it applies to different...
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What are the Challenges?
Students discuss energy. In this energy challenges lesson, students read about greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change. Comprehension questions from the reading are provided.
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The Expanding Universe
Students explore the expanding universe. In this science lesson, students use balloons to model the expansion of the universe. Students take measurements of the balloon expansion and answer questions directed to develop their...
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Weightlessness
Students use a coffee cup to demonstrate weightlessness. After a lecture/demo, students read an article on free-fall. They perform a simple experiment which helps them explain the concept of weightlessness.
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Sea Connections
Students, after locating different marine habitats on a globe, play a card game about ecosystems, food webs and organisms.
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From Above
Students use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire and report information from a spacial perspective.
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A Different Kind of Rock Star: Part 2
Students examine our society's fascination with Mars. In this journalism lesson students read an article that outlines the various ways Mars has captured our imagination and are given topics for discussion and a chart to complete.
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Extinction
Students peruse illustrations of living things and extinct life forms, which they compare and categorize as living or extinct.
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Solar and Lunar Eclipses
Young scholars examine eclipses. In this eclipse lesson, students investigate solar and lunar eclipses. Young scholars complete a WebQuest and write a descriptive summary of eclipses. Lesson references a WebQuest, but does not include a...
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Using Mathematic Models to Investigate Planitary Habitablity
Students examine how the sun's intensity affects the temperature on various planets. They determine whether or not these planets could be habitable. Finally, they factor in the average albedo of the planets to determine whether or not...
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Wide Open Spaces
Learners examine the problem of groundwater pollution. In groups, they develop a solution to solve the problem of a local polluted water source. They also practice measuring the space between sediment particles and the rate of water flow.
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Earthworm Dissection
Students identify the external features of the earthworm. They view a video about different features of an earthworm. They research information about annelids on the Internet. They compare and contrast the earthworm with another annelid.
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Get Smart
Learners study sustainability and smart growth. In this geography lesson students identify the benefits that are expected from smart growth.
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Energy Conservation
Students complete a variety of activities as they examine forms of energy, use of energy, different technologies to harness energy and the ethical implications of these sources and technologies.
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Population Needs vs. Population Deeds
Students examine the recent population explosion of the world. After watching a demonstration on closed systems, they identify the role humans have on the depletion of natural resources and lowering the standard of living. To end the...
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Minnesota Ospreys and Migration
Students explore the route that Minnesota ospreys follow during spring and fall migration. They describe the important ecological characteristics of the places that ospreys pass through during their migration. They determine where...
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Clay Hill Animal Sampling
Students create animal print casts from molds in the classroom. They use the cast patterns to identify animal prints on a field trip in which they locate animal tracks, identify the location with GPS and create field casts of the...
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Turtle Tales
Students watch videos and fill out worksheets about the turtles and their journey to the Costa Rican beach. In this turtles lesson plan, students learn and discuss survival, predator and prey, and stages of development.
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Kids Conserve? Water Preserved
Sixth graders review the steps of the water cycle. Individually, they calculate the amount of water they use in a day and identify ways they can conserve. As a class, they discuss how conserving water today helps future generations and...
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Are We Falling Apart? Exploding Volcanoes
Students research and demonstrate volcanic activity. In this volcanism instructional activity, students research the types of volcanoes and define related terms using the Internet. They demonstrate volcanic activity with water, corn...
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Air and Water in the Environment
Students explore the traits of water condensation and evaporation. In this water cycle lesson, students develop an awareness of the importance of water for sustaining life. Students participate in a hands-on activity in which water is...