National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
To Boldly Go, or Not
Here is a different way to combine social studies and science. Have your high schoolers read a passage about the 2004 vision for space exploration and then discuss the practicality, costs, and reasons for returning to the moon. Then, the...
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Wildlife Conservation III
Discuss the importance of wildlife conservation. Learners talk about the animals and plants on the US Fish and Wildlife Services list of endangered and threatened species. Then, they engage in a detailed discussion of the reasons these...
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Animals
Students become familiar with the need for categorizing scientific information, in this case, animals. They categorize the 5 groups of animals in a collage and answer questions about each.
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Antibiotic Resistance
Students using the scientific method, study bacteria as a covering surface of the earth in many forms. They discover that not all bacteria is bad and introduce the topic of antibiotic resistance. Science Fair expectations are addressed.
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To Quote or Not to Quote
Introduce your middle and high schoolers to the correct use of quotation marks. They identify examples of correct and incorrect quotations in magazines and edit a paragraph in groups. Use this lesson as a way to reinforce proofreading...
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Estimation Task
Upper graders practice their estimation skills by observing different objects then making their best guess without using measuring instruments. Young scholars are asked to estimate mass, length, volume, and area.
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Animals and Engineering
Students study animal classification and their interactions. In this animals and engineering instructional activity students study animal communities and how engineers use this knowledge to create new technologies.
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Wild Dog Urine
Students investigate biology by researching wild animals. For this animal extinction lesson, students research African wild dogs and discuss the impact of the environment on their survival. Students read and analyze an article titled...
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Where is Away?
Focusing on where are garbage goes once we dispose of it, learners explore environmental concerns. Using a clear format, this lesson leads learners through a discussion of waste reduction, recycling, and composting. Then, they discuss...
Tracy Pendry
Cardiovascular/Circulatory System
Explore the circulatory system with a cardiovascular pump activity that promotes discovery and discussion as class members create a functioning model of the heart. Continue the learning process through a web quest showcasing the body's...
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Muscular and Skeletal Systems
How do muscles move bones? Find out using a built-in-class model. Pupils construct a hand model with paper and string, then follow a series of directions to explore the movement process. Discover additional information about the muscular...
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Lost in Space
Here is a case study for high school or college-level learners about space exploration equipment that has failed. The class reads about the Mars Climate Orbiter that was destroyed in 1999 and discusses the costs and benefits of space...
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Solids, Liquids and Gases
Students explore solids, liquids, and gases. In this states of water lesson plan, students conduct a scientific investigation that requires them to observe and note the differences among solid, liquids, and gases.
Bridge
Mercury - Mercury is Rising
Hold a discussion in your class about the increase in mercury being found in fish that are caught commercially as food for humans. Given a worksheet, learners then calculate how much fish a person can safely eat each month to remain...
Community Resources for Science
"5 E's" Science Planning Worksheet
This two-page planning guide walks you through a five-part process for teaching scientific content. To begin, decide how you will evaluate learners' progress, then what tools you will use to engage them in the topic. Plan how they will...
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Ghost Crystals - Light & Water
Woo, ghost crystals, just in time for Halloween! Young scientists experiment with light and water as they make and observe ghost crystals. The lesson does not include the process for making the crystals, but provides a web link where a...
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Little Bees, Big Potential
After reading an article on the alfalfa leafcutting bee, learners chart its characteristics alongside those of the honeybee. Then they draw the leafcutter lifecycle. The article provides fascinating reading when studying the role of...
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Energy Saving activities Lighting
Eighth graders study how light emits energy. In this energy savings activity, 8th graders conduct two experiments to find ways to save energy. In one experiment students measure the light in each classroom and make recommendations for...
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The "Science" of Racism
How can we keep racism out of our society? Analyze the factors that lead to racism today and research previous scientific findings that impacted social policy. Your high school students identify ways to prevent past mistakes from...
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Moldy Jell-O
Mini mycologists plan an experiment to determine what affects the growth of mold on gelatin. A list of available materials is provided, but the procedure needs to be designed by the lab group. A data table is also provided in which to...
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Parachutes: What Affects a Parachute
Students create a simple paper parachute. For this parachute design lesson, students examine the effects of the wind and make napkin parachutes.
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Fundamentals of Matter
Seventh graders explore the the constituents and properties of matter. They use the scientific process while exploring solids, liquids, gases, the mass, volume and density of matter. Students plan and conduct an investigation to measure...
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Watershed Awareness
Pupils investigate the relationship between upstream influences in their watershed and the watershed's estuary. They apply the scientific process to test a hypothesis while examining the impact of upland activities on estuaries.
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A Tree Full of Ancestors
Students study human evolution and the scientific process. They complete the Origins of Humankind Web activity to become familiar with the hominid species as well as the associated evidence found, in the form of fossils and artifacts.