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Physiology Activity Perception and Behavior
Students conduct an experiment to determine a fly's ability to detect sugar, its behavioral response, how a previous experience may alter the response, if a fly can be tricked, and how human sensitivity compares to a fly.
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Wetland Metaphors
Students describe the characteristics of wetlands and identify their ecological functions. They inspect items and use them to create metaphors about wetlands.
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Sink or Float?
Have your class explore density and buoyancy using this resource. Learners read the book Who Sank the Boat, and use several items, such as rubber balls, bottle caps, wood, and other household items to conduct an experiment. Using a tub...
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Make Your Own Paper
Students create their own paper from recycled products. Students describe the steps of the paper-making process, then practice making their own.
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Life in the Crystal Palace
Marine biologists research sea ice communities. Assign some groups to construct paper models of sea ice communities in winter, and some to construct models of them in summer. The lesson plan is simplistic, but the Internet resources...
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Sink or Float
Using a variety of objects, learners conduct buoyancy experiments. They make predictions on which object will sink or float and test their predictions. They use a graphic organizer to record their findings.
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Sequence of Events: The Watershed
Class members simulate a watershed with a painters drop cloth, placing objects underneath to create landscape variation, making "rain" with a watering can, and using red drink mix powder to track the path of precipitation. They observe...
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Evaporation
Students explain the process of evaporation using an activity that allows students to see the gradual disappearance of water.
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Freddy the Fish
Students complete an experiment. In this water pollution lesson, students brainstorm information about river habitats and water pollution. Students then read the story Freddy the Fish and complete an experiment where they use a...
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The Four Seasons for First Grade
First graders examine the seasonal changes that occur. Students listen to the book "Caps, Hats, Socks, and Mittens" before discussing the current weather and any approaching holidays. After a brief lecture on the different seasons, they...
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Science: Coral Reef Food Pyramid
Students construct numbers pyramids using fictional data from a coral reef. they tally the numbers of carnivores, herbivores, and producers. Students next build a pyramid shape in which they put their numbers of producers, herbivores,...
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Why Polar Bears Are White
Students are introduced to the concept of camouflage and protective coloration as well as Arctic animals. They examine how color can help animals in the wild. Students discuss where polar bears live and why they are white.
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Keep It Clean!
Fifth graders investigate the how water becomes polluted and how it effects the environment, animals, and humans. They watch a video and conduct experiments.
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Color Mixing
Students experiment with primary colored water to mix new colors. They record new colors on a simple data sheet and share opinions on their work.
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Invertebrate Phyla
Young scholars explore the invertebrate phyla. They discuss the characteristics of the invertebrate Phyla in the Kingdom Animal. Students classify organisms into Phyla based on their characteristics. They distinguish radial symmetry,...
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Mixed Media Ocean Art
Students design pictures of ocean environments. In this art lesson, students use mixed media art materials to develop a picture that depicts the ocean environment. They use paint, sand paper and various basic art materials.
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Fossil Fuels: Facing the Issues
Students explore energy by researching fuel usage on Earth. In this fossil fuel instructional activity, students define fossil fuels, the energy created by burning them, and the impact on the environment when using them. Students conduct...
Michigan Sea Grant
What's in This Water?
Pupils investigate the biological and chemical characteristics of water to determine where purple loosestrife occurs. They create data sheets to record water quality tests in several locations and work in groups to conduct the water...
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Oil Well That Ends Well
Focusing on the effect of oil spills on the environment, learners conduct experiments to explore this issue. First, they create an ocean environment using materials provided. Then, they make a simulated crude oil substance from vegetable...
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Fill in - Twinkies
After hearing or reading a New York Times article on Twinkies, kids attempt to fill in the blanks by memory alone. They re-read the article, only this time words are missing, it's up to them to fill in each blank with a word from the...
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New Jersey Estuaries
Students observe a stream table activity to realize how an estuary protects the mainland from floodwaters. They predict what will happen, then draw and write up the results.
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Terrestrial Communities
Young scholars watch a video about different terrestrial communities. They conduct an experiment with sponges conserving water. They research desert characteristics comparing them with other biomes.
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Primary Biological Content Area
Students complete activities to learn about the growth process for crystals. For this crystal growth lesson, students use the given materials to complete a liquid bluing activity. Students observe and analyze the growth of crystals.
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Pollution Solutions
Young scholars participate in a hands-on activity to determine how water is polluted and investigate steps in how to treat water. Students try to produce the cleanest water possible using the materials provided.