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Flowing From Here to There
Sixth graders discover how humans modify their environment. They work together to design their own simple machine to transport materials. They record observations and suggest modifications.
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How Mutations Lead to Changes in Cell Structure and Function
Learners investigate how mutations lead to changes in cell structure and function. They construct an oligonucleotide, identify a protein sequence, design a step-by-step mechanism of how they think cells repair damaged DNA, and prepare...
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Zebrafish Development
Middle schoolers examine the early development of zebrafish as a model for embryo development in humans. They observe various stages of zebrafish reproduction from sperm and eggs to fertilized eggs and hatchlings.
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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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Ice Cube Experiment
Students explore the rate at which ice melts. In this science lesson, students place ice cubes on colored index cards and place them in direct sunlight. Students observe which ice cubes melt fastest and slowest.
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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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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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Heat and Conduction
This simple activity is ideal for upper elementary learners when studying physical science. Using their sense of touch to describe how hot something feels, and then comparing their observations to thermometer measurements, they discover...
W.K. Kellogg Biological Station
Succession: Patterns in the Field and in Seeds
Have you been wondering how to use that natural trail at or near your school? This activity gets kids outside with a purpose: learn about ecological succession through field observations and collecting seed and soil samples. The resource...
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Plastic Wrap
Learners compare the price and quality of different kinds of plastic kitchen wraps and then rank them from best to worst. They take into account how well it comes out of the roll, if it seals well, it is tangles, how much weight it...
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Determining the Age of Fossils
Students examine the concept of radioactive dating. In this radioactive dating lesson plan, students investigate how to determine the ages of fossils and rocks as they learn about half-life radioactive decay.
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Magnifiers
Students describe how several different objects magnify a provided sentence and decide if they are good magnifiers or not. They then write a sentence describing two properties an object must have in order to be a good magnifier.
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Experiences and Experiments - There is a Difference
Sixth graders plan and conduct an experiment on food spoilage. They design the experiment, create a display, record and analyze data, and make inferences regarding the results of the experiment.
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Balls and Ramp
Students role several balls of different weights down a ramp and into a paper cup and record how far each ball made the paper cup move. They then answer questions that help them analyze their results and reinforce the idea that energy...
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Let's Investigate Tooth Decay
Students conduct a simple investigation to explore tooth decay.
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Making Marbles
Learners perform a simulation in which they work for a toy company and have to figure out how many marbles of different sizes can be made with the provided material. They must design their own experiment to figure this out.
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CAN'T TOUCH THIS!
Young scholars discover the best practical shielding material when dealing with radioactive substances. They draw conclusions based on availability of materials, price, and best shielding properties.
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Curiosity Does Not Kill The Cat
Students list the different ways they could test a guinea pig, a dandelion, and their brother (or sister)? They create a data chart in their group that lists the organism, what they could measure, and how they could change that measurement.
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Arthropod Data Collection
Students describe the life cycle of various bugs as well as their predators and feeding habits. The class participates in a discussion of the various methods scientists use to gather data including research and experiment. After...
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Breaking Color Barriers
Students compare brown eggs and white eggs. In this color lesson, students see two different color eggs and predict what they will look like on the inside. They see that both eggs are the same and compare this to people of different...
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Measuring Wind Speed
Young scholars study wind speed and collect wind speed data. In this wind speed lesson, students visit a website to learn about the local wind speed forecast for their week. Young scholars discuss wind and wind speed. Students collect...
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Feely Balloons
Students use their sense of touch to identify different types of solids. In this "Mystery Solids" lesson, students feel various balloons filled with items such as rice, flour, salt, beans, etc. They use their senses to come to logical...
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Classy
Students explore the classification system in this seven lessons unit. The diversity of life forms and their characteristics are examined using a microscope. Kingdoms, classes, and families are investigated.
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Ocean Creature Classification
Students develop a Taxonomic Key for marine invertebrates from pictures they are given after practicing together with common objects, such as shoes. They then compare their key to a provided Ocean Invertebrates Taxonomic Key.