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Coal Formation
Learners perform an in-depth study of coal - one of most important fossil fuels. Over a three-week period of time, they become familiar with how coal is formed underground, and will create a "fossil" right there in the classroom in order...
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Numbers as Descriptors
Students use numbers as descriptors. For this mathematical inquiry lesson, students use numbers to describe, classify, and compare plants. Students are made aware that numbers can be used to describe things in the world around them.
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Building an Electric Motor
Students study different motors and how they convert electrical energy to mechanical energy. In this motor lesson students make a model of an electric motor and examine how it can be used to do work.
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Check Out Lights and Shields with Beads
Students explore Ultraviolet detecting beads and conduct several investigations with them. In this investigative lesson plan students participate in an experiment to see the harmful effects of UV light and discuss their findings.
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The Impact
Students see what inventors have to think about when making an invention. In this inventions lesson students examine Thomas Edison and the light bulb and the history of inventions.
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The Rock Cycle Graphically Organized
Fourth graders use the prereading strategy of discussion and then use a graphic organizer to help guide reading on the topic of the rock cycle. They use a worksheet imbedded in this plan to guide thier inquiry.
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Your Own Fresh Water Aquarium in the Classroom
Learners explore aquariums. In this fish and ecosystems lessons, students establish a freshwater aquarium environment using materials provided. Learners read about and care for the classroom fish.
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What's in My Water, and How Did it Get There?
Students analyze water samples to see the contaminants and then use the Internet to find the sources of the contamination. In this investigative water lesson students analyze water and work together to solve the mystery of contaminants.
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Oobleck
Second graders observe the properties of Oobleck. In this science and observation instructional activity, 2nd graders examine Oobleck and make a list of 10 properties that they notice. They explain their observations.
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What is the Function of Each Seed Part in the Growth of a Plant
Sixth graders investigate the parts of a seed by using a digital camera. In this botany lesson, 6th graders plant their own seeds in class and demonstrate the necessary attributes for growing a plant. Students utilize a camera to...
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Termitology
Students engage in an inquiry-based study of the ecology of termites. Through hands-on investigations, they explore the life cycle of termites, the termite's role in the food web, and the unique social structure of termite colonies.
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Heat Up the Floating Plates
Eighth graders research the connection between the convection currents within the mantle of the earth and the moving of Earth's plates. A connection to lessons at previous grade levels on the rock cycle and important background...
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Aquatic Field Data
Students use laptops and sensors to measure water quality and graph their results. In this aquatics instructional activity students post their results to a website or email.
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Seasons of Trees
Students examine how trees change over time. In this forestry activity, students read the book The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree and choose three trees to observe over a period of time. Students record observations and seasonal changes...
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What's Dancing in the Water?
Students learn about watershed, as well as the different forms and uses of water. In this water forms lesson, students brainstorm water sources and uses. Students read the book Water Dance and discuss water examples. Students complete a...
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Exploring Magnetism
Students participate in several activities that allow them to better understand magnetism. In this exploratory lesson students take part in different activities to help them to better understand magnetic fields, circuits and...
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How Can You See Which Soda Has More Sugar?
Sixth graders weigh regular and diet soda to see which one is heavier and therefore which one contains more sugar. In this soda lesson plan, 6th graders discover that regular soda contains more sugar because it weighs more.
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A "Real" Picuture of a Scientist
Students share their own stereotypes when they talk about scientists. In groups, they draw a picture of a scientist where they are working and the tools they most commonly used. Using the internet, they discover how archeolgists use the...
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Exploring the Beach
Students explore the beach. In this marine habitat instructional activity, students inspect sand grains, design beach profiles, classify marine life, and examine natural beach habitats. Students use spreadsheets to record data from their...
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Hatching Chickens
Students learn the importance of caring for eggs as they hatch chickens. In this egg hatching lesson, students observe what happens when eggs are hatched into chickens by completing a e-worksheet and watching a web based movie.
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PATTERNS IN TIME
Students build a realistic sense of geological time, seek clues of transition fossils and find them. In this investigative instructional activity students complete several activities and worksheets on fossils.
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Mystery of the Matching Marks
Students view a Power Point and complete activities related to genetic evidence of human evolution. In this molecular evolution lesson, students view and discuss a provide presentation. They search for the "tell-tale telomere" and...
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Traditional Stories about Wind
Young scholars observe and talk about wind using no weather instruments. In this wind lesson plan, students use their senses to observe wind. They also interview an Elder about wind.
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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...