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Chromatography of photosynthetic pigments
Students explore the technique of chromatography to separate compounds in a mixture. In small groups, they separate by paper chromatography and identify the major and accessory photosynthetic pigments.....................................
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Observation and Stimulation of bioluminescence and chemiluminescence
Students are introduced to chemical reactions, reaction rates, chemiluminescence, fluorescence and bioluminescence. They use glow sticks are used to demonstrate the effect of temperature on the rates of chemical reactions. Pupils recall...
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Seed Socks
Students explore how seeds travel. In this seed disbursement instructional activity, students head outside in their bare socks. Students walk around then before going inside they take the socks off and examine what their socks picked up....
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Models as Tools for Ecosystem Management
Fifth graders explore the concept of environmental management. For this ecosystem lesson, 5th graders discover how models help scientists learn more about managing ecosystems. Students create their own model, make observations and...
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Exploring Forest Objects
Students explore the forest. In this ecosystems instructional activity, students rotate through sensory activity centers, brainstorm, and read about temperate forests.
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This is Cool!
Third and fourth graders who are studying states of matter will enjoy this simple exercise. In it, they look at a picture of a girl in her kitchen, and they must circle five examples of materials that have changed states of matter as...
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Vincent VanDuca
Students create art with the Manduca by placing gel on their body and letting them walk over colored paper. They discover what their footprints and movements are like. They create a piece of art by using the Manduca markings.
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The good microbes
The question posed for the class to consider; What would decay and what would not? They read the short passage on decomposition and microbes, then mark the items that would decay after a two-week period. A scientific investigation idea...
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Plant Diversity and Distribution
Learners construct a defined plot on school grounds and observed patterns in plant life. They count trees, shrubs, cacti and record on a data sheet. They compare data and generate a plant diversity overlook for their school.
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In the Company of Wild Butterflies
Learners discover the life cycle of a butterfly and explain the different stages. For this exploratory lesson students watch a video and create insect art and they will get an opportunity to view live specimens of butterflies.
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Living it up with plants
Have kids in grades K-2 discuss how they know a tree is alive. The worksheet provides simplistic background information and an observation check list. They check off the ways that they can tell an oak tree is a living thing. Note: The...
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Germs and Your Body
Students study germs and ways your body fights against disease. In this germs lesson students complete an activity that demonstrates where germs can get into your body.
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Biomanipulation
Students explore the effects of aquatic trophic relationships on water transparency. They observe and explain the effects of reducing nutrient inputs on agal density on water transparency.
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I Wonder What Would Happen if Lots of Manduca Lived in a Small Place...
Students discuss the reasons why humans fight and look for similiarties in animals. They make predictions on what they think will happen when they observe insect crowding. They make conclusions about their predictions to end the lesson...
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Where's My Mummy: Preservation Techniques
To observe preservation techniques firsthand, learners dry a flower in sand and compare cucumber slices soaked in salt water for a week with slices left out to dry in the open air. Video resources (not attached) include one about mummies...
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Digestion Simulation
Students study the human digestion system and the functions of the stomach and small intestines. In this digestion instructional activity students view a demonstration on the process.
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Manduca
Students investigate the basic survival needs of both hornworms and humans. They compare and contrast the them by making a class list.
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Artifacts 1: What Can We Learn From Artifacts?
Sixth graders are introduced to artifacts and explore an online archaeological site to connect clues about how people once lived. In this deductive reasoning lesson, 6th graders participate in the stratigraphy game on Kids Dig Reed.com...
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Kernels of Wisdom: Investigating Natural Variations in Corn
Here is a brain-popper! Corn, or more appropriately, maize, was intentionally domesticated by humans around 9,000 years ago and over a period of hundreds to thousands of years! Genetics and botany researchers have collaborated to find...
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The Wonderful World of Slugs
Examine a slug? Of course, what else would a 2nd grader do with it? Pupils use clues and go on a slug hunt, read a slug story, or make a cooperative group mural of a slug's habitat. While older learners catalog slugs, go on a slug hunt,...
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Illinois Biodiversity
Students examine the amount of biodiversity in the state of Illinois. They practice using new vocabulary and listening to stories about animals. After given time to reflect, they write their own haiku. They work together to create a...
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The Root Show
Students investigate plant roots. In this plant instructional activity, students discover the function and structure of plant roots. Students plant a plant in a milk carton with a clear section cut out in order to observe the roots of...
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Survival Zone: The Intertidal Zone
Students determine water level tidal predictions for a given place for the next month, current status of the area and the local weather. Links are provided for the information. Students answer questions based on the information found,...
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Garbage in the Garden
Students create their own compost. In this soil lesson, students fill a bag with waste and soil, in order to create a mini compost bin. Students observe the baggies over a 6 week period, they record their findings and collect data on...