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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Robot Fisherman

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine the use of robotic vehicles for fish surveys. For this ocean life lesson, students discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using underwater robots and the requirements an underwater robot must meet in order to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Colors of Seasons

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students observe each season and and mark the colors they see.  In this colors of the seasons lessons, students read The Mystery of the Missing Hummingbirds and compare their results and note variations of colors in the different...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Froggy Page

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students investigate the cycle of life by observing tadpoles.  In this biology lesson, students utilize the Internet to read stories, observe pictures, and listen to sounds of frogs.  Students create a poster board collage using frog...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's the Connection?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain hardground communities in the Gulf of Mexico. In this deep-sea ecosystem lesson, students investigate the connection between deep-sea ecosystems and petroleum deposits. They discuss the relationship between hydrocarbon...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stream Table

For Teachers 3rd - Higher Ed
Students explore channelization, riparian habitats and soil erosion to find out about  the aquatic habitats in Iowa. In this aquatic habitats lesson, students define important terms and read an article about pollution.  Students complete...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pleistocene Mammals

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students research the causes of the extinction of Pleistocene mammals.  In this Pleistocene mammals lesson, students read essays to understand the Pleistocene epoch. Students write an essay about the personal impact of this epoch. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Save Your Breath

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss metabolism. In this metabolism lesson, students evaluate evidence form a research report and discuss the basis for hypothetical metabolic adaptations to low-oxygen environments in the anchialine caves.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Deep Lights

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students investigate materials that emit light. In this deep ocean lesson, students compare and contrast materials that emit light under certain conditions and infer the light-producing process. They explain three ways this evidence is...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Call to Arms

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore how scientists build robotic arms that move similar to humans. In this robot activity, students examine how scientists make robots. Students design and construct a mechanical arm that moves like a human arm. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Meeting an Earthworm

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students inspect the anatomy of earthworms. In this earthworm lesson, students participate in a hands-on experiment as they analyze the structure of earthworms. Students demonstrate mastery through differentiated products. Lesson...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reptiles and Amphibians

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore biology by viewing animal videos in class. In this amphibian and reptile lesson plan, 4th graders identify the key differences between reptiles, amphibians and other animal classifications. Students view video...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cut-Off Genes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars explain the concept of gene sequence analysis. In this gene lesson, students draw inferences about phylogenetic similarities of different organisms.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Identifying an Earthworm

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners navigate the Internet to learn to identify Earthworms. In this taxonomy instructional activity, students explore species of earthworms finding their characteristics and using photographs to identify the species. Learners...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Enzymes in Action

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Young scholars explore how enzymes are important in the chemical reactions of all living things.  In this enzymes and catalysts lesson students complete an activity to see how enzymes change living things.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fishing

For Teachers K - Higher Ed
Learners explore the techniques and basic needs of the fisherman.  In this fishing lesson plan, students view a demonstration of the use of fishing equipment. Learners research Iowa farm ponds and design a class mural from their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animal Adaptations

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students focus on the pelts of fur-bearing animals native to Iowa to discover their different adaptations.  In this animal adaptation lesson, students work in groups and examine various pelts to find information about the animals habitat...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Calling All Owls

For Teachers K - Higher Ed
Students research various types of owls.  For this owls lesson, students observe owls and discuss their characteristics.  Students go to an owl habitat and listen for the call of an owl. Students read The Owl in the Shower and debate the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Habitat Sunprints

For Teachers K - 8th
Young scholars recognize various habitats and where they are found.  In this habitat sunprints lesson, students observe the contents of habitats and record what the sunprint might represent.  Young scholars use blueprint paper and small...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bermuda: Search for Deep Water Caves: Living Fossils

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore relict species. In this anchialine cave activity, students identify relict species associated with anchialine caves, and explain the importance of preserving anchialine caves and species.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Schooling Fish

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students make fish models.  In this fish behavior instructional activity, students create lanternfish fishsticks, learn how a school of fish live, eat and swim together, examine the predator-prey relationship, and read the book Swimmy to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reading the River - Biological Classification

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Youngsters create a list of grocery store items and then work together to categorize them as if they were setting up the shelves of the market. Then they are given a box of miscellaneous objects to practice categorizing. With these two...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Your Blooming Pond

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students model a pond system that becomes enriched with nutrients (fertilizer). They manipulate variables, make observations over time, and draw conclusions that may lead to further inquiry. They, in groups, simulate a pond environment.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Seashore Life

For Teachers 4th - 5th
In this seashore life worksheet, students identify the animals that live on the seashore. Students then color the animals that live on the seashore. Students also draw and color any additional animals they would see.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating Biodiesel and Mitigating Waste

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Biotechnology pros produce their own biofuel using waste oil and fresh vegetable oil. They test the quality of their product using titration techniques and pH analysis. They write their observations and report their findings. Be aware...