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The Mystery of the Missing Hummingbirds
Students record scientific observations in a science journal. In this season instructional activity, students make observations about each of the seasons and record in their journals. Students record organisms response to seasonal...
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Implications of the Human Genome Project
Students study the Human Genome Project through classroom discussion and the video, Cracking the Code of Life. They research reports about the issues of disease, human health, and the ethical, legal, and societal implications of the...
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Is the Hudson River Too Salty to Drink?
Students explore reasons for varied salinity in bodies of water. In this geographical inquiry lesson, students use a variety of visual and written information including maps, data tables, and graphs, to form a hypothesis as to why the...
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Where are all the Animals?
Students view animals that camouflage at the Shedd aquarium website. In this camouflage lesson, students recognize that there are different types of camouflage, cryptic coloring, counter-shading, warning coloration and mimicry. Students...
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The Robot Fisherman
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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The Colors of Seasons
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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The Froggy Page
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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What's the Connection?
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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Stream Table
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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Pleistocene Mammals
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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Save Your Breath
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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Deep Lights
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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Call to Arms
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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Meeting an Earthworm
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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Reptiles and Amphibians
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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Cut-Off Genes
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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Identifying an Earthworm
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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Enzymes in Action
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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Fishing
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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Animal Adaptations
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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Calling All Owls
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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Habitat Sunprints
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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Bermuda: Search for Deep Water Caves: Living Fossils
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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Schooling Fish
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...