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It's For the Birds
Fifth graders examine how anatomical adaptations make it possible for a bird to survive in various habitats. They discuss and list birds and their unique characteristics, and create an imaginary bird, illustrating the environmental...
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Creative Insects
Third graders examine insects that are common around the school. They write a creative story about being an insect for a day and include scientific data that they learned.
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How to Keep Warm in the Arctic!
Learners simulate the differences between animals protected by fat and those that aren't. They fill one of the mugs with shortening. Students cut a small hole, and place a thermometer in each piece of cardboard. They position the bulb of...
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Mission 7: Saving Energy
In these saving energy worksheets, students learn about energy and how to conserve it. Students complete a 22 page packet for the activity.
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Understanding the Layers of the Earth
Fourth graders explore the three layers of the Earth describing the composition, thickness, and temperature of each layer. Layers are compared and contrasted and data unearthed placed into graphic organizers.
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Web of Life - Ecosystem
Third graders play the roles of various organisms in an ecosystem (focusing on insects) and pass yarn or string around to other organisms from largest animals to the smallest. The end product is a web which shows how all of these animals...
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The Rock Cycle
Third graders, in groups, examine soil samples with magnifying glasses. They discuss the living and non-living things they find in their soild samples.
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Feedback and Flowcharts
Sixth graders explain what a negative feedback system is and they distinguish it from a positive feedback system. They describe examples of how negative feedback is used in both nature and technology. , Students define homeostasis, and...
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Making Your Own Sampling Tools
Students begin a class recycling project. They create data sampling equipment using their own designs and test them in the field.
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Cell Repair and Cell Cycle
Seventh graders explore the cell cycle. They view pictures of different stages of mitosis and explain why cells reproduce. They identify the five phases of mitosis: interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
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Toxicology 2: Finding the Toxic Dose
Students brainstorm with group partners to decide upon a chemical they would like to test, and outline a procedure for their investigation. They then present in groups their ideas to the rest of the class as well as the chemical they...
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Weather Mobile
Young scholars color the lightning part of the thunder cloud and then cut out the pattern. They then cut out the cloud pattern and put cotton onto it with glue. They then fold a piece of paper several times to create a snowflake to which...
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Hazard Mitigation: Bioterrorism
Students discuss different ways to spread infectious diseases. In this bioterrorism lesson, students model the rate of smoke emission using CalRoad software. They analyze the effects of airborne release of biological...
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Create an Underwater Scene
Students apply knowledge of underwater ocean life by creating an ocean life scene with marine animals and plants placed at appropriate ocean depths.
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Creature Creation
Second graders listen to a read aloud of a fictional story about a frog. They compare the characteristics of the main character with a real frog. They work with two partners to create a creature; one student draw the head, one the body,...
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Plants
First graders learn the basic needs of plants, label the major parts of a plant and name their uses. They also use a KWL chart.
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Beautiful Butterflies
Third graders study the life cycle of the butterfly through this series of activities. They create projects, play games, and observe butterfly characteristic that contribute to their survival.
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From Big to Little, From Little to Big
Students discuss how different objects are different sizes. They work together to brainstorm ideas of objects that do not stay big or little all of the time. They choose one of their ideas to illustrate and share with the class.
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Space Ship Pilot
Students visualize the relationship between acceleration and velocity as they maneuver a model spaceship in a 2-dimensional applet.
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Introducting the Concept of Medical Ecology
Tenth graders examine the effects of the breakout of the West Nile Virus. They make predictions on its origin. They develop and present an action plan to stop the virus from spreading.
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Discovering the Oasis
Fourth graders explore the ecosystem of Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Complex. In groups, classmates take pictures and research the species of birds and plants in the area. Over a period of time, 4th graders collect temperature...
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A Study of the Effects of Ethanol and Heavy Metal Chemicals on the Development of the Zebrafish Embryo
Students are exposed to the dangers of alcohol abuse through the study and experimentation of alcohol on zebrafish embryos. This exercise can be used to demonstrate the effects of ethanol, cadmium, and lead on embryological development.
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But I Need This
Third graders place everything in their desk or back pack onto their desk top. They explain why each item is needed. They receive a set of pictures and write a list of things each person or animal needs to survive. They compare people,...
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Cycling Energy
Fourth graders are introduced to how electricity is produced. In groups, they compare and contrast the linear production of energy with other forms of mechanical energy production. They try to make a turbine work acting like it is part...