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Old Solutions - New Solutions
Students examine descriptions of a mining company's land-reclamation project. They share information to analyze the environmental impact of the project. Independently, they answer questions on environmental and economic issues...
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Wheel and Axle
Fifth graders construct a wheel and axle model using a Lego Dacta set. They read and discuss informational text from the book "It's Science! Machines We Use," and in small groups create a simple machine using Legos.
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Japanese Scientists Photograph Giant Squid
Students read and discuss a news article about scientists capturing first-ever photos of a giant squid in its habitat. They answer comprehension questions, write a journal entry from the scientists point of view, and analyze a giant...
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Homes for Hermit Crabs
Students discover the differences between hermit crabs and mollusks and identify their parts. After reading a story about hermit crabs, they complete an anatomy worksheet. For another activity, students fold and cut a diagram of a hermit...
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Drought Threatens Huge Man-Made Lake
Students locate Lake Mead, then read a news article about Lake Mead drying up and how that would effect water and power supplies to the region. In this current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces the article with a map...
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Scientists Study Dinosaur "Mummy"
Young scholars share ideas about how scientists know about dinosaurs, then read a news article about the recently found remains of a hadrosaur. In this dinosaur lesson plan, the teacher introduces the article with a class discussion and...
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Pollution is Not a Solution
Students explore the environment by completing science worksheets in class. In this water conservation lesson plan, students identify ways water is used in our society and how we abuse the privilege. Students discuss methods to reduce...
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Nonpoint Source Pollution in Long Island Sound
Students examine and identify the types of nonpoint pollution on Long Island Sound. In groups, they walk the shoreline, collect trash and identify its source. Using that information, they create a variety of graphs of the different...
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Flights of Fancy?
Students reflect on the dynamics of human flight and how objects fall through the air and how science principles are used in flight.
They create a How-It-Works poster diagramming the science behind one method of flying. In addition,...
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I Wish I Were a Butterfly
Young scholars inquire about biology by reading a children's book in class. In this insect instructional activity, students read the story "I Wish I Were a Butterfly" and identify the unique characteristics of butterflies and other...
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Who Gives a Hoot?
Learners look at owl migration and its impact on the environment and the food chain after reading an article from The New York Times. Students then apply this information to and research different food chain situations for other species...
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DNA-B-C's
Young scholars review what they already know about DNA. After reading an article, they discover a new technique to map the course of evolution. In groups, they create ways to present this material to younger children and research DNA's...
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The Case for Space
In this instructional activity, learners share what they know about gravity and flight, and then develop marketing strategies promoting careers in aerospace to young people. Using what they have learned, they then write recommendation...
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Destination Red Planet
Students explore reasons why people are interested in exploring other planets. After reading an article, they identify developments in the mission to Mars. Using the internet, they research the history of exploring Mars and create a...
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The Book of Life
Students discuss the factors that make a good children's book. After reading an article, they explore the prevalence of science in children's literature. In groups, they research a topic and translate it into easy language for a child...
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Animal Diaries
Students read Diary of a Worm by Foreen Cronin. In this journal writing instructional activity, students research an animal and write a diary by their animal. Students apply the research they've completed in their writings. Students...
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People Change the Landscape
Learners examine ways in which humans have brought change to the natural environment. In this ecology and literacy activity, students listen to the book Island Boy by Barbara Cooney. Learners observe and define map-reading vocabulary as...
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We Are All In This Together
Students complete a variety of activities centering around insects. In this insects education lesson, students read People by Peter Spier and discuss the similarities and differences among people. Students gather and explore materials...
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Climate Change
Students read about climate change and pair share. In this climate change lesson, students take notes on a worksheet from the readings. Students each read a part of an article and share what they have learned.
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You Have All the Answers
Students explore the concept of theories in science while examining the theory of evolution. They conduct research and participate in a discussion about current issues in science culminating in the creation of question and answer pamphlets.
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Features and Limits of Aircraft Design
Students identify the desired features of an aircraft and the limits that they, the Wright Brothers, or NASA scientists might face in designing one, and methods to solve these. They review parts of an airplane and what makes it fly. They...
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Pet Detective WebQuest
Students take an online tour to learn about pets and their care. They click on selected Web links and answer questions about the material they encounter. They share something they learned from the WebQuest with a partner.
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Breezy, Chilly, or Freezing?
Students assess the factors which influence the sensation of being "cold" in a particular situation. They study the complexities in measuring temperature by reading and discussing the article "Beyond Brrr: The Elusive Science of...
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Elements 'R' Us
Sixth graders participate in a Web Quest in order to examine the periodic table of elements. After collecting information about an element of their choice, they share with group members what they have learned. Groups create class...