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Marine Biology Lesson on Understanding the Dynamics of the Reef Ecosystem
Students compare data from a healty and unhealthy reef ecosystem. In this marine biology lesson, students identify which sample is stressed. They formulate a hypothesis on why the reef is stressed and support their hypothesis with proven...
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The Wildland/Urban Interface Dilemma
Students examine all sides of the issues surrounding wildland fire. Groups assume the roles of different people who must decide what to do about a fictitious wildfire. They have a discussion to analyze the issue. A good, real life...
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Biological Sampling Device Using a Sea Perch
Pupils construct plankton nets to be towed and collect specimens to be examined and analyzed in the classroom. They develop research skills through collection of an aquatic sample. They write lab reports after interpreting, identifying...
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The Food We Eat
Students plan a menu for one day after they study the food pyramid and learn about their daily food requirements. They are given an updated food pyramid with a summary fo dietary recommendations that replaces the old standard "four food...
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Sea Ice Research
Learners study sea ice and its importance in climate and climate change. They discuss sea ice as a presence of a food source for marine animals in the arctic and complete a lab activity. After completing the lab, they watch a video...
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Finding Your Way Around A Map
Students use the Internet to learn and/or review map and globe skills and will recognize the difference in perspectives as shown on maps.
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What are Quarters Made of?
Learners study the meaning, symbolism, and value of U.S. coins,
especially the quarter. They l research why in 1965 the U.S. Mint decided to
change the metal composition of the quarter to copper coated with zinc. In addition, they...
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Ice Core Research
Students study the work of Dr. Hajo Eicken through an audio conference. They engage in a conference call with Dr. Eicken to identify how ice core research is designed and conducted. After asking Dr. Eicken questions, they record their...
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Hatching Brine shrimp
Second graders investigate the life cycle using brine shrimp as an example. They conduct observations by watching the shrimp hatch out of cysts. Students design simple experiment to structure an observation. The experiment is approved...
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What Sticks Can Make You Sick
Students study adhesins and their receptors. In this science inquiry lesson students experiment to find adherence and use agglutination to identify adhesins.
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In Search of Cosmic Rays
Middle schoolers compare rates to altitude. They conduct a class discussion about the results.
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Insect Matching
Third graders match insects to the proper order based on the characteristics. They culminate their study of the orders that insects belong in by looking at insects with magnifying glasses.
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A Living Watershed
Students, through this series of lessons, use local resources, speakers, print and video materials, as well as standard text materials to study the ecosystem of the local watershed.
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Tree-ring Dating
Students complete activity sheets and participate in discussions while they study dendrochronology. They determine a tree's age and recognize how the climate varied over time.
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Draw your Conclusions
Students analyze data from a student discussion website and write a report on the outcome of an investigation regarding their local water quality. As part of a larger unit students then post the summary of their investigation on the...
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Acid and Base Testing
Students study descriptions of indicators and the way they are used to identify acids and bases. They use this information to determine if unknown solutions are acids or bases.
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A Tour Down the Hudson River
Students discuss how the Hudson River is an ecosystem made up of both biotic and abiotic factors. They view the PowerPoint the Journal Down the Hudson River. Students become aware of where the Hudson River begins and ends, the plant and...
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Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature
Young scholars are shown how temperature affects dissolved oxygen and they create a graph showing this relationship. They think about the adaptations of animals to live in different water temperatures. Students test four different water...
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Dissolved Oxygen Introduction
Students are shown how dissolved oxygen enters the water. They are taught the difference between a water sample that has been exposed to the air and one that has not. Students brainstorm what organisms need to survive. They use dissolved...
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Is Our Water Healthy?
High schoolers test water for a least one chemical characteristic. They hypothesize how a storm event might change the chemical characteristics of a stream. Students collect water samples and use the chemical test to test the water.
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Zebra Mussel Population Simulation
Students are taught how to format and enter data into an Excel spreadsheet. They make a graph, and interpret graphed data. Students discuss the possible impacts of zebra mussels on the Hudson river. They graph zebra mussel data.
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Aquatic Ecosystem Exploration
Students visit a local stream, pond, creek, or river and collect macroinvertebrates. They sort macroinvertebrates and identify each species using a dichotomous key. Students decide on trophic levels and construct a possible food web for...
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What If There's No Light?
students discuss the importance of light and the consequences of living without it. Using a plant as a demonstration, students predict and observe what happens to a plant when it does not receive enough light. In groups, they experiment...
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Runoff: Intro to Watersheds
Learners are taught that a watershed is, what types of basic land cover are impermeable and permeable to water. They trace the flow of water around their school and around their home. Students determine what watershed their school is a...