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Biodiversity in some areas is more diverse than one might think. Using a two-day lesson plan, pupils consider the biodiversity of the Hudson Canyon and the characteristics of one organism. They begin with an analysis of the common...
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Simple Machines, Engines and the Environment
Fourth graders calculate the mechanical advantage of an inclined plane. For this physics lesson, 4th graders identify the different types of simple machines and their uses. They give examples of compound machines.
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Rain Forest Research
Second graders explore the Rain Forest. In this research lesson, 2nd graders go online to gather information about Rain Forest animals. Students print and use the information to write about the many parts of the Rain Forest. Students are...
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Weather with Lewis and Clark: Then and Now
Fourth graders discuss how to accurately measure weather, gather materials in order to make instruments, and build weather instruments in which they measure and record different aspects of weather for a five-day period.
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Maple Syrup
Students explore maple syrup. In this natural resources lesson plan, students identify a maple tree in their neighborhood and observe the sap. Students sample maple products and create a graph of the taste-testing results.
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Earth Book
After viewing a teacher-led demonstration on a variety of landforms of the Earth, 1st graders create an Earth book. This nicely-done hands-on lesson has students produce books that describe, in pictures and words, different aspects of...
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Designing Windmills
Students study mechanical engineering and how it plays a part in the creation of windmills. They design and test their own windmills using various materials and sail designs.
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Where Do Plants Get Their Food?
Young scholars think about the historical development of the scientific method. They design an experiment that replicates van Helmont's, using only specified materials. Pupils then improved upon van Helmont's procedure and also...
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Aquatic Invertebrates
Learners examine the impact that human development has on streams. In this stream sampling lesson students compare macroinvertebrate data and graph it.
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Calculating pH
In this pH worksheet, learners are given information and directions as to how to calculate the pH of solutions. They use their calculators to find the pH of given solutions and apply what they learned about identifying acids and bases.
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Submersible Designer
Students work in groups to design, build, and test a submersible prototype. In this engineering lesson, students learn about the importance and design of submersible vessels and apply their knowledge by building one of their own. They...
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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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The Motions of the Oceans
Students examine the topics of ocean waves, currents, and tides. They locate and label ocean currents on a world map, conduct experiments, analyze key vocabulary, view demonstrations and record the data, and complete handouts.
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Plant Needs
Students explore the needs of plants. In this plants biology lesson, students work in groups to perform an experiment with tomato plants. Each group records observations in a journal, takes pictures, and interprets the results of...
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Living with Disaster: Mother Nature Rules
Students analyze various types of natural disasters and discover techniques man uses to live with nature and to control nature. They are able to identify ways that man has learned to predict natural disasters; identify ways that man has...
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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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Climate Change
Ninth graders compare the Arctic and Antarctic. In this climate lesson students work in groups, research and complete an oral report or a poster.
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Physics and Me
Sixth graders compare and contrast mass and weight. For this physics lesson, 6th graders calculate speed given distance and time information. They construct a rocket and relate this to Newton's 3rd Law of motion.
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Rock-A-Bye Pendulum
Third graders analyze the effects of force on an object in motion and its relationship to a change in speed. This lesson uses a pendulum to demonstrate the principle.
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Ocean Life
Students explore the topics of ocean water salinity, ocean life zones, marine life classification, and ocean food chains. They observe demonstrations, conduct experiments, complete quizzes and handouts, and analyze key vocabulary.
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Understanding How Potatoes Grow
Second graders make a KWL chart and brainstorm what they need for the project of growing potatoes. They choose one potato and plant it in water or peat moss cups and choose a location in which meets the needs of the plants and make their...
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Biodiversity in an Estuary
Young scholars investigate the biodiversity in estuaries. In this estuary lesson plan, students use Google Earth to explore the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. They produce a biodiversity concept map and portray the life...
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Edible Transformations
Students differentiate the different phases of matter. In this chemistry lesson plan, students conduct several hands-on exercises to discover how matter transforms when mixed together. They identify the different stages in the water cycle.
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Living With Risk: The Human Element of Natural Disasters
Students explore human elements that are a part of natural disasters, read a Hawaiian myth, conduct a survey, discuss why people choose to live in high risk areas, and participate in a writing activity based on studenT real life accounts...