Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Poisoned Picnic
A group of teachers attended a picnic; ten became sick and another four died. Young scholars must solve the mystery of what happened. They research the river, waste water treatment plant, each food that was served, and environmental...
Curated OER
Journey North 1999
This is not a lesson plan, but an outstanding resource to provide material for your lessons on seasonal changes and animal migration. Links connect you to live web cams and up-to-date information on Monarch Butterflies, hummingbirds,...
Curated OER
The Day an Egg Solved the Mystery of the Cell
Students conduct an experiment comparing human cells to chicken cells. In this cells lesson plan, students conduct an experiment to see how nutrition moves through cells and how to better take care of their bodies.
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Stonehenge: Solving Ancient Mysteries
High schoolers investigate the mystery of Stonehenge. In this Stonehenge lesson, students participate in a classroom activity that requires them to research information about Stonehenge as well as information regarding archeology and...
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Magnetic Mystery
Fourth graders investigate the poles of a magnet. In this magnet lesson, 4th graders explore what a magnet attracts and what it repels. Students view the N and S on magnets. students recognize that like poles repel and opposite...
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Forensic Detectives: Archaeology at Work
Dig in! Middle schoolers learn about archaeology by exploring the remnants of the Chiribaya bodies found in Illinois. Compare archaeological investigations, and then write a mystery detailing the discovery of a body! Consider bringing in...
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CSI Lesson Plans Can Turn Students Into Learning Detectives
Children learn to use the methods of good detection for solving a crime, and even analyzing literature.
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To Group of Not to Group - That is the Question!
Upper elementary and middle schoolers use their observation skills to group different kinds of candy by similar characteristics. They debate whether or not we should classify objects. Finally, they learn that biologists have developed a...
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The Mystery Box
Students design a mystery box to hold an object related to the timeline of life studies. In this timeline of life lesson, student play a game with fossils and other remnants of past times and guess the era it comes from.
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A Map Mystery
Second graders solve a map mystery. In this technology lesson plan, 2nd graders develop an awareness of maps and the symbols associated with maps as they the "Neighborhood Map Machine."
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Disposable Diaper Comparison and Mystery Powder Identification
Students investigate which diaper is the most absorbent. In this chemistry lesson, students calculate how much water is absorbed by diapers. They identify an unknown powder based on physical and chemical properties.
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How Buds on Trees Survive the Cold (and Related Mysteries)
Students solve a science mystery. In this biology lesson plan, students see how the delicate tissues of a tree bud are insulated so that they can survive the winter and learn how to determine the age of a branches and twigs.
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Mystery Box
Students predict what mystery objects are based on how they feel. In this sense of touch lesson, students reach inside a box and make a guess about the object inside. Once students record their predictions, the objects are revealed....
National Security Agency
Equations and Expressions
Learners demonstrate their knowledge pictorially, concretely, and abstractly in this unit meant to last three hours over three days. Using hands-on activities, manipulatives, real-world applications, and problem...
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Lesson plan: History Underfoot
Students study Native Americans of Virginia. In this Virginia history lesson plan, students take on the role of archaeologists as they analyze a site and its artifacts. Students use the information to draw conclusions about the natives...
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Forensic Detectives: Mysteries and Solutions
Students examine forensic science. In this video based activity, students examine the tools and techniques of forensic science. They write a report about a fictional crime scene from the Discovery video.
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The Science of Forensics
Young scholars examine the importance of details in evidence gathering, as well as the relationship between chemistry, physics and biology. In this forensics lesson students divide into groups and look at fingerprints and fill out...
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The Mysteries of El Nino: How Much do We Really Know?
Seventh graders investigate the causes and effects of El Nino and explore its global impact on weather related occurrences through this series of activities.
Columbus City Schools
Earthly Waves
How did scientists discover what lies beneath the earth's surface? Dig a hole? X-ray vision? Guide your class through the types of seismic waves and how these waves helped shed light on Earth's many layers. The included resources provide...
Virginia Department of Education
DNA Structure, Nucleic Acids, and Proteins
What is in that double helix? Explain intricate concepts with a variety of creative activities in a lesson that incorporates multiple steps to cover DNA structure, nucleic acids, and proteins. Pupils explore the history of DNA structure,...
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Lesson Plan One: Introduction to the Five Senses
Students listen to book See, Hear, Touch, Taste, Smell, by Melvin Berger, and explore five senses and sense organs
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Bermuda Triangle
Young scholars explore what the Bermuda triangle is and the theories as to why it is so mysterious. In this mystery lesson students read and discuss the history and the mystery behind the Bermuda Triangle.
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Remember This?
Learners investigate the mechanics of an fMRI and the properties of neurons. In this biology lesson plan, students analyze the way the brain works by performing tests in the neurons in the brain. This is all done theoretically.
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Evaporation Inquiry
The evaporation of water and what happens to it as it travels through the water cycle are the focuses of this activity. The evaporation of water seems like a "magical" process to people of all ages. This activity takes away the mystery,...