Teachers and Parents
(All lesson plans include coverage of National Standards)
- Lesson 1 – Grades: 3 – 6
Packaging 101
Students think outside of the box while they're introduced to the topic of sustainable packaging. They learn the benefits of packaging and the three rules of sustainable living – reduce, reuse and recycle. - Lesson 2 – Grades: 3 – 6
Lunch Weigh In
Students will find out that lunch is not all sandwiches, apples and chocolate chip cookies. Packaging makes up a large portion of students' lunches. Your students will discover exactly how much. - Lesson 3 – Grades: 3 – 6
Trash Pie
Students will monitor classroom garbage to find out what makes up most of the waste in the class. They’ll measure the data and create a classroom pie chart to share the trashy results. - Lesson 4 – Grades: 3 – 6
Garbage Gone Wild
Students learn about the harm that litter can do to the environment. Then they will think of ways that they can help win the battle against loose litter as they fight to save the planet from garbage gone wild.
Download Zero Waste Lesson Plans [Word .doc: 6.30MB]
- Listen online to Zero Waste: Popcorn Packaging
- Listen online to Zero Waste: High Barrier Packaging - Better Packaging
- Listen online to Zero Waste: Carbon-Friendly Plastic
- Listen online to Zero Waste: Sustainable Packaging - Energy
- Listen online to Zero Waste: Sustainable Packaging - Recycling Bank
Download a PDF of all eleven Lesson Plans from Zero Waste, Animal Smarts, and Meals on Mars [PDF: 5.32MB]
(All lesson plans include coverage of National Standards)
- Lesson 1 – Grades: 3 – 6
World Without Words
Students learn about the challenges of communicating without using words and practice non-verbal communication skills while explaining to their partner how to put together a unique structure. - Lesson 2 – Grades: 3 – 6
Watch It!
In this lesson, students watch animal life up close, by either observing classroom pets or by watching animals in a natural environment outside. Students in rural, suburban or urban settings can find animals in their natural environments to observe. Students will find out what we can learn from watching closely. - Lesson 3 – Grades: 3 – 6
Research and Role Play
Students select an animal to learn more about. After doing research on the Internet, in the school library, or through visits to local zoos or wildlife centers, students will prepare a presentation showcasing an aspect of animal cognition.
Download Animal Smarts Lesson Plans [Word .doc: 5.09MB]
- Listen online to Animal Smarts: Thinking
- Listen online to Animal Smarts: Cooperation
- Listen online to Animal Smarts: Apes,DNA,Dogs
- Listen online to Animal Smarts: Successful
- Listen online to Animal Smarts: Breed Smarts
- Listen online to Animal Smarts: How Smart
- Listen online to Animal Smarts: Dogs Were Once Wolves
- Listen online to Animal Smarts: Why We Study Their Intelligence
- Listen online to Animal Smarts: Enrichment
- Listen online to Animal Smarts: Designing an Experiment
Download a PDF of all eleven Lesson Plans from Zero Waste, Animal Smarts, and Meals on Mars [PDF: 5.32MB]
(All lesson plans include coverage of National Standards)
- Lesson 1– Grades: 3 – 6
Appeal of the Meal
In this lesson, students interview each other about what makes certain food appealing to some people and not to others. Students use communication skills during interviews and math skills when they graph the data as bar graphs. - Lesson 2 – Grades: 3 – 6
Taste This!
This lesson focuses on a simple experiment in which volunteers have to hypothesize about the flavor of juice, which has been colored purple and red. They learn that many senses influence how food actually tastes. - Lesson 3 – Grades: 3 – 6
Menus for Mars
In this lesson, students play the role of an astronaut and are allowed to sample food in preparation for their upcoming missions. They follow this up by planning their own menus for space. - Lesson 4 – Grades: 3 – 6
Space Shake
In this lesson, adapted from NASA, students compare different ingredients for making the perfect space shake– one that is both nutritious and delicious.
Download Meals on Mars Lesson Plans [Word .doc: 7.5MB]
- Listen online to Meals on Mars: Mars - How Far
- Listen online to Meals on Mars: Moving to Mars
Download a PDF of all eleven Lesson Plans from Zero Waste, Animal Smarts, and Meals on Mars [PDF: 5.32MB]
(All lesson plans include coverage of National Standards)
- Lesson 1 – Grades: 3 – 4
Creating Music
In this lesson students will be introduced to the challenge of creating sound with everyday objects. They will recognize and articulate what they notice about different sounds and how the sounds are produced.
- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Sounds: Anything Goes
- Listen online to Sounds: Frequency and Math
- Listen online to Sounds: Rattle Tyne
- Lesson 2 – Grades: 9 – 12
The Sounds and Science
Sound, and the perception of it, is natural to us. It is one of our five basic senses. We need not understand sound in order to benefit from it through communication, music, and silence. However, we have discovered much about sound and developed technologies by amplifying it, focusing it, and bending it. This lesson begins to look into some of the properties of sound. - Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Sounds: Anything Goes
- Listen online to Musical Instruments: Steel Vibration
- Listen online to Sounds: Rattle Tyne
- Listen online to Musical Instrument: Sound Wheel
- Listen online to Musical Instruments: Categories
- Lesson 3 – Grades: 5 –8
Musical Instruments and Pitch
Sound is created by vibrations and detected by our ears. We identify sounds based on our experiences. We create sound by our everyday actions. In this lesson, students will examine how sounds are created, how they travel through different media, and what affects different pitch. Students will design and create an instrument. - Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Sounds: Anything Goes
- Listen online to Musical Instruments: Corrugahorn
(All lesson plans include coverage of National Standards)
- Lesson 1 – Grades: 3 – 4
What Is It?
Material Science is the study of different types of materials. It is about how materials and things interact with other things. Students will examine different substances and determine characteristics of liquids and solids. They will think about how the different sports’ equipment they use could be made better. - Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Material Science: Making Chains
- Listen online to Material Science: Helmets
- Listen online to Material Science: Silly Putty
- Lesson 2 – Grades: 5 – 8
Gear, Motion and Newton
Students will explain and demonstrate Newton’s first law of motion and apply it to sports. Polymers are used in protective gear such as helmets for football players, baseball, and cyclists. Students will make polymers and use the technology to create their own protective gear.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Material Science: Making Chains
- Listen online to Material Science: Helmets
- Listen online to Material Science: Silly Putty
- Lesson 3 – Grades: 9 – 12
Sports and Polymers
Polymers have changed just about every sport: the way the games are played, the speed in which they are played, and the level of protection. This technology comes from the use of polymers. Polymers are lightweight, incredibly durable, and easy to make. These factors have influenced sports.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Material Science: Making Chains
- Listen online to Material Science: Helmets
- Listen online to Material Science: Sports
- Listen online to Material Science: Silly Putty
(All lesson plans include coverage of National Standards)
- Lesson 1 – Grades: 3 – 4
What are Microbes?
This lesson explores microbes: what they are - where they exist - and how they affect the body and the environment. Students will learn some preventative measures to stay healthy.
- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Microbes
- Listen online to Cleaning Up the Spill
- Lesson 2 – Grades: 5 – 8
Good and Bad, Here and There
Microbes are single-celled organisms found everywhere. Students will classify different microbes as helpful or harmful, identify where microbes live and reproduce and design an informational “wanted” poster about a harmful or helpful bacteria. - Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Termite: Beauty
- Lesson 3 – Grades: 9 –12
Beneficial Bacteria
Microbes are everywhere and on everything. Some help us and some hurt us. Of course, we have taken steps to avoid the ones that harm us. However, research has shown that not all bacteria are out to get us. Some we count on to live comfortable, healthy lives. We have even employed the help of bacteria to take care of some of our health problems, waste problems, and to clean up after our messes. This lesson seeks to explore some of the helpfulness of bacteria. - Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Dragonflies: Mating Strategy
- Listen online to To Disperse or Not
- Listen online to Cleaning Up the Spill
- Listen online to Geobacter: Origins of Life
- Listen online to Microbes
- Listen online to Geobacter: Electricity From Mud
(All lesson plans include coverage of National Standards)
- Lesson 1 – Grades: 3 – 4
A Martian Community
Do you think human beings will ever live on another planet? Mars is our nearest neighbor in space and holds the possibility of sustaining life as we know it. But scientists are of the belief that the first settlers there would need to be farmers. In this lesson, students will examine the present knowledge of Mars and extend it to what one of the first communities on Mars would be like.
- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Edible Insects: Termites
- Listen online to Mars: How Far
- Lesson 2 – Grades: 3 – 4
The Red Planet
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is very much like the Earth. We see stream beds where water flowed, big canyons, and ice caps at the poles. It is the next place humans are going to explore. - Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Edible Insects: Termites
- Listen online to Mars: Playground
- Listen online to Mars: Dirty Chamber
- Lesson 3 – Grades: 9 –12
Design a Martian Sport
Mars provides a harsh environment for us now. However, the future could hold different technologies that allow us to move about on a harsh environment a lot easier. This leads to sports on Mars! With new, futuristic technologies and an adaptive spirit to new conditions, exciting, new contests await. - Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Mars Microphone: Martian Soundscape
- Listen online to Mars: Golf
- Lesson 4 – Grades: 5 – 8
The Physics of Sports on Mars
Humans traveling to Mars. Scientists and engineers feel that it is not a matter of if, but when. One thing is certain though, the conditions that we will encounter will be nothing like we are used to. Now, imagine sports on Mars. Imagine a whole new set of playing rules based on a different planet. Baseballs would travel differently, shot puts would sail farther, and Frisbees might not even fly – a whole new playing field. - Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Mars: Giant Chutes
- Lesson 5 – Grades 5 – 8
Sports on Mars and Life
It will be some time before humans live on Mars. It’s a good thing because we have many problems to solve until then. How would we obtain food, breathe, etc…? To play sports on Mars will require our bodies to adjust to many different conditions that we have grown used to. The trip there might just take its toll on our bodies. Different atmospheric conditions provide for an entirely new set of rules. - Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Astrobiology: Moving to Mars
- Listen online to Mars: Golf
- Lesson 6 – Grades 5 – 8
Wht is Mars Like this Time of Year?
What is Mars like? Does the physical geography of Mars make it suitable for life? How do the conditions on Earth compare to Mars? These and many other questions inevitably come up with the recent exploration of this planet. The conditions at the surface are quite harsh compared to what we are used to. In asking these questions, let’s look at one more: What would human recreational activities be like on Mars? The Martian atmosphere would definitely “change the playing field.”
- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Mars Microphone: Martian Soundscape
- Listen online to Mars: Dirty Chamber
- Lesson 7 – Grades 9 – 12
Design a Martian Sport
Mars provides a harsh environment for us now. However, the future could hold different technologies that allow us to move about on a harsh environment a lot easier. This leads to sports on Mars! With new futuristic technologies and an adaptive spirit to new conditions, exciting new contests await.
- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Mars: Giant Chutes
- Listen online to Mars Microphone: Martian Soundscape
- Lesson 8 – Grades 9 – 12
The Physics and Biology of Sports on Mars
Humans traveling to Mars. Scientists and engineers feel that it is not a matter of if, but when. One thing is certain though, the conditions that we will encounter will be nothing like we are used to. Now, imagine sports on Mars. Imagine a whole new set of playing rules based on a different planet. Baseballs would travel differently, shot puts would sail farther, and Frisbees might not even fly. This will be a whole new playing field.
- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Astrobiology: Moving to Mars
- Listen online to Mars: Sending an Arm
(All lesson plans include coverage of National Standards)
- Lesson 1 – Grades: 2 – 3
Life Cycles
Forensic scientists fight crime with science. Forensic entomology is the study of insects in a legal context to determine the time of death. In this lesson, students will compare the life cycles of various living things and think about how they can be used in forensic science. - Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Insect Detective
- Lesson 2 – Grades: 3 – 4
Crime Solving Activities
Forensic science is the study of objects that relate to a crime. Forensic scientists study evidence so that it can be used in a court of law. Forensic scientists observe, classify, compare, use numbers, measure, predict, interpret data, and draw inferences based on evidence. In this lesson, students will use these science inquiry skills.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Forensics: Detective Science
- Lesson 3 – Grades: 5 –8
The Evidence
Forensic scientists and crime scene investigators must take careful measures to preserve the evidence at a crime scene. This evidence can take on several forms, some expected and others unexpected. The ability to recognize the evidence is crucial; the need to carefully preserve it for proper interpretation means everything.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Forensics: Deciphering a Hidden Message
- Lesson 4 – Grades: 5 – 8
The Science In Forensic Science
Forensic science can be a daunting discipline due to the amount of scientific knowledge one has to acquire to be good at it. Biology and Chemistry are the principal sciences that are most commonly used in solving a crime using forensic science.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Insect Detective
- Lesson 5 – Grades: 5 – 8
Forensic Science: Try It!
Forensic science is a varied field that keeps expanding. Analysis, testing, hypothesis, deduction, etc. are all necessary skills. Laboratory skills are extremely important to a forensic scientist. Many tests can be performed to extract as much data out of evidence as possible. This lesson allows the students to complete some of the testing.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Forensics: Super Prints
- Lesson 6 – Grades: 5 – 8
What is Forensic Science: What Do These Scientists Do?
What exactly is forensic science? This field is often misnamed and misunderstood. What is seen on TV is a conglomeration of a few different vocations mixed with romantic notions. The job of a forensic scientist might not be as hyped up as what we see on TV, however, the importance of the job they perform has become incalculable in the legal world.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Forensics: Making a Match
- Lesson 7 – Grades: 9 – 12
Forensic Science - Try It!
Forensic science is a varied field that keeps expanding. Analysis, testing, hypothesis, deduction etc. are all necessary skills. Laboratory skills are extremely important to a forensic scientist. Many tests can be performed to extract as much data out of evidence as possible. This lesson allows the students to complete some of the testing.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Forensics: Fingerprints
- Lesson 8 – Grades: 9 – 12
What is Forensic Science?
What exactly is forensic science? This field is often misnamed and misunderstood. What is seen on TV is a conglomeration of a few different vocations mixed with romantic notions. The job of a forensic scientist might not be as hyped up as what we see on TV, however, the importance of the job they perform has become incalculable in the legal world.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Insect Detective
(All lesson plans include coverage of National Standards)
- Lesson 1– Grades: 3 – 4
Adaptations
Biomimicry studies nature’s best ideas and then imitates these designs and processes to solve human problems. In this lesson, students will examine traits that have enabled animals to adapt to their environment. They will explore engineered products inspired by nature.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Biomimicry: Collecting Mucus
- Listen online to Biomimicry: Wasps
- Lesson 2 – Grades: 3 – 4
Useful Secretions
Nature is an amazing inventor! Scientists and engineers have discovered all kinds of creative solutions to problems by imitating something an animal does.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Biomimicry: Hippo Sweat
- Listen online to Biomimicry: Giraffes
- Lesson 3 – Grades: 3 – 4
Biomimicry and the Future
We are dependent on petroleum. We have created harsh chemicals and environmentally harmful processes to use these chemicals, and we have generated a lot of pollution in doing so. We need some novel ideas to solve the current ones. Enter biomimicry and sustainability. With nature as inspiration, we can solve our problems through the tremendous research and development that it has already completed. We can generate clean power, use processes that mimic nature to clean our structures, and produce less pollution in the process.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Biomimicry: Hippo Sweat
- Listen online to Biomimicry: Reading Slug Slime
- Listen online to Biomimicry: Wasps
- Listen online to Biomimicry: Magical Mucus
- Listen online to Biomimicry: Giraffes
- Lesson 4 – Grades: 5 – 8
Biomimicrys Greatest Hits!
Our usage of biomimicry or biomimetics has only covered the last decade and a half; however, some pretty neat ideas have been taken from nature as the inspiration. True to the definition of biomimicry, the inventions and technologies created have helped us solve our problems: adhesive without chemicals, cleaning without detergents, breaking Olympic records, etc. Nature has given us some incredible insight so far, and the future holds even more promise.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Biomimicry: Gecko Adhesion
- Listen online to Biomimicry: Gecko Release
- Listen online to Biomimicry: Gecko Inspired
- Listen online to Biomimicry: Gecko Fingers
- Lesson 5 – Grades: 5 – 8
Biommicry, Try it!
Beneficial ideas from nature – biomimicry – can be right before our eyes. Often these details go unnoticed for whatever reason. Anyone can find a nature-inspired idea from a natural article. If nature has been researching and developing its own techniques for survival, then it’s up to us to discover these methods.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Biomimicry: Magical Mucus
- Listen online to Biomimicry: Wasps
- Lesson 6 – Grades: 5 – 8
What is Biomimicry?
“Why create mediocrity when you can copy genius.” So the saying goes. Nature has 3.8 billion years of research and development. Now, take this time and include the fact that 10-30 million species have participated in this research and development and you have a wealth of ideas from which to tap into. What would we use all this information for? For us! Biomimicry is the study of or the process of using nature as inspiration to solve our problems, sustainably. So far, in the short amount of time that scientists and engineers have been using this approach, we have some pretty amazing products.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Biomimicry: Wasps
- Lesson 7 – Grades: 9 – 12
Biomimicry
We are dependent on petroleum, we have created harsh chemicals and environmentally harmful processes to use these chemicals, and we have generated a lot of pollution in doing so. We need some novel ideas to solve the current ones. Enter biomimicry and sustainability. With nature as inspiration we can solve our problems through the tremendous research and development that it has already completed. We can generate clean power, use processes that mimic nature to clean our structures, produce less pollution in the process.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Biomimicry: Novel Robots
- Lesson 8 – Grades: 9 – 12
Biomimicry, Try it!
Beneficial ideas from nature – biomimicry – can be right before our eyes. Often these details go unnoticed for whatever reason. Anyone can find a nature-inspired idea from a natural article. If nature has been researching and developing its own techniques for survival, then it’s up to us to discover these methods.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Biomimicry: Magical Mucus
- Listen online to Biomimicry: Wasps
(All lesson plans include coverage of National Standards)
- Lesson 1 – Grades: K – 4
The Five Senses
The five senses, along with the brain and nervous system, all work together to collect information about the world around us. The five senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch enable humans to interact within an environment. Each sense is important in itself, but each has limitations.
- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Noise Pollution
- Listen online to Artificial Mouth: Fat-Free Flavor
- Listen online to Smell: How
- Lesson 2 – Grades: K – 4
Chocolate Candy
Almost everyone loves some type of candy. Sweet treats have been around for centuries. In the United States, the production of chocolate has grown at a faster pace than anywhere else in the world. In this lesson, students will learn about how flavor is added to products. They will also use their imagination to invent a new type of candy. - Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Microencapsulation
- Listen online to Flavor: Layers of Flavor
- Lesson 3 – Grades: K – 4
New Flavors
We taste food and liquid with taste buds in our mouths. But we sense flavors using our sense of smell and even our sight. In this lesson, students will explore their sense of taste, but realize how sight and smell work along with it. They will invent new flavors. - Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Flavor: Ingredients
- Listen online to Flavor: All in the Taste
- Lesson 4 – Grades: 5 – 8
The Biology of Flavor
When people mention flavor they sometimes mean taste and when they talk of taste they probably mean flavor. The sense of smell has an integral part in detecting flavor and it influences flavor. The senses of smell and taste are able to detect molecules in our environment and coupled with our brain, we can make sense of the sensations – even crave them. - Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Artificial Mouth
- Listen online to Artificial Mouth: Fat-Free Flavor
- Listen online to Artificial Mouth: Formulating Flavor
- Lesson 5 – Grades 5 – 8
Microorganisms, Food and Flavor
Throughout history, culture, fads, and tradition, microorganisms have been major players in many of the common foods we enjoy. They enhance the flavor of some foods producing a desirable quality. The other side of this is that some foods have been proven to control microbe growth and have other health benefits. - Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Spices: Germ Killers
- Listen online to Spice Cabinet: Medicine Cabinet
- Listen online to Spices & Microorgansims: Evolution
- Lesson 6 – Grades 5 – 8
Food, Flavor and Technology
Food is so much more than taste. When food is ingested we experience taste, smell, texture, astringency, and pungency. All of these factors can be changed, manipulated, modified, and even synthesized. Flavorists are the individuals responsible for the flavors we perceive in the manufactured foods we buy.
- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Microencapsulation
- Listen online to Microencapsultaion: Saving Flavors
- Listen online to Flavor: Ingredients
- Listen online to Flavor: All in the Taste
- Listen online to Flavor: Layers of Flavor
- Lesson 7 – Grades 9 – 12
The Biology of Flavor
When people mention flavor they sometimes mean taste and when they talk of taste they probably mean flavor. The sense of smell has an integral part in detecting flavor and it influences flavor. The senses of smell and taste are able to detect molecules in our environment and coupled with our brain, we can make sense of the sensations – even crave them.
- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Artificial Mouth
- Listen online to Artificial Mouth: Fat-Free Flavor
- Listen online to Artificial Mouth: Formulating Flavor
- Lesson 8 – Grades 9 – 12
Microorganisims, Food and Flavor
Throughout history, culture, fads, and tradition, microorganisms have been major players in many of the common foods we enjoy. They enhance the flavor of some foods producing a desirable quality. The other side of this is that some foods have been proven to control microbe growth and have other health benefits.
- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Spices: Germ Killers
- Listen online to Spice Cabinet: Medicine Cabinet
- Listen online to Spices & Microorgansims: Evolution
- Lesson 9 – Grades 9 – 12
Food, Flavor and Technology
Food is so much more than taste. When food is ingested we experience taste, smell, texture, astringency, and pungency. All of these factors can be changed, manipulated, modified, and even synthesized. Flavorists are the individuals responsible for the flavors we perceive in the manufactured foods we buy.
- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Microencapsulation
- Listen online to Microencapsultaion: Saving Flavors
- Listen online to Flavor: Ingredients
- Listen online to Flavor: All in the Taste
- Listen online to Flavor: Layers of Flavor
(All lesson plans include coverage of National Standards)
- Lesson 1 – Grades: K – 4
Water Cycle: Elementary
There is as much water on Earth today as was millions of years ago - the same water cycles through the stages of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and accumulation. In this lesson, students will learn about the water cycle. - Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Fog Nets
- Lesson 2 – Grades: K – 4
The Three Forms of Water
On earth, water can be found in three different forms: solid, liquid, and gas. Water is the only substance found in those three forms in nature. Water changes forms when it is heated or cooled.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Fog Nets
- Lesson 3 – Grades: K – 4
Water as a Resource
The earth is known as the water planet. Water seems to be everywhere, but there is a scarcity of water that is usable to us. The amount of water available to all living things depends on how its quality is maintained.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Lake Baikal: Oldest in the World
- Listen online to Low Flush Toilets
- Listen online to Surfrider: Testing the Waters
- Listen online to Water: Fresh
- Listen online to Beach Sand: Sand
- Lesson 4 – Grades: 5 – 8
Life's a Beach!
Pulse of the Planet takes a trip to Cowell Beach in California. Professor Adina Paytan and two middle school students are conducting tests on the E. coli bacteria level found in beach sand and how it might affect water quality at swimming beaches.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Beach Sand: Beach
- Listen online to Beach Sand: Testing
- Listen online to Beach Sand: Results
- Lesson 5 – Grades: 5 – 8
Bugs in the Water
Pulse of the Planet looks at how bugs and insects in bodies of water can indicate the quality of the water and the condition of the habitat.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Bugs in the Water: Living Barometer
- Lesson 6 – Grades: 5 – 8
Waste Water Investigation
This lesson discusses how waste water is a threat to urban water quality. In the past, industry was the greatest threat to water quality. This lesson covers how urban areas address the challenges of effective waste water treatment.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Water Supply: Municipal Waste
- Lesson 7 – Grades: 9 – 12
Water Cycle: Advanced
Water is global. Water is dynamic. Combining these statements leads to the water cycle. Water molecules do not stay in one place for very long. Water is the only substance on Planet Earth that exists as a solid, liquid, and a gas simultaneously. This fact provides it with a natural permeability that very few substances on this planet possess. This permeating quality of water also makes it susceptible to pollution.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to How Toxins Move: Headwaters
- Listen online to How Toxins Move: Down the River
- Listen online to Beach Sand: Beach
- Listen online to Beach Sand: Sand
- Listen online to Beach Sand: Testing
- Listen online to Beach Sand: Results
- Lesson 8 – Grades: 9 – 12
Water Distribution
Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink, so the saying goes. This is the Blue Planet. Its name is derived from the abundance of water; however, only a small amount of this water is fresh water. In addition, only a small percentage of the freshwater is immediately available to us. Freshwater is not regionally, economically, or culturally distributed evenly, which causes global political instability.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to California Water: Storage
- Listen online to Astrobiology: Water
- Listen online to Water: Ancient Origins
- Listen online to Water: Fresh
- Listen online to Water: Distribution
- Lesson 9 – Grades: 9 – 12
Water Quality
What is in the water we drink? Who decides this? How strict the regulations? How did the water get clean in the first place? These are all questions that we are entitled to ask when we tip back a glass of our municipal water. The term "water quality" is not as black and white as it sounds.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Water Supply: Quality
- Listen online to Water Supply: Municipal Challenges
- Listen online to Water Supply: Municipal Waste
- Listen online to Water Supply: Acid Rain and Lead
- Listen online to Microbial Mats
- Listen online to Bugs in the Water: Living Barometer
(All lesson plans include coverage of National Standards)
- Lesson 1– Grades: K – 4
Ways to Improve Ourselves in Sports
Most children play and participate in sports. This lesson will examine ways to improve performance in sports. The food choices made affect our bodies while at work and play. Exercise, practice, and the equipment used influence our abilities and performance.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Skateboard: Skateboard 101
- Listen online to Skateboard: Ollie
- Listen online to Skateboard: Wood
- Listen online to Skateboard: Waffled
- Listen online to Skateboard: Violin
- Listen online to Golf: A History of Technology
- Lesson 2 – Grades: K – 4
Energy of Motion
Children are always on the move - talking, walking, running, or playing. All motions require a force to start or stop them. Energy makes these forces, the pushes and pulls that are involved in motion. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Potential energy is energy in position. In this lesson, students will explore energy in motion.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Hi-Tech Sneakers: Natural Design
- Lesson 3 – Grades: K – 4
Skeletal, Muscular, and Nervous Systems
The skeletal and muscular system enables the body to move. The brain controls all the body systems and organs. The brain communicates with the rest of the body through the spinal cord and the nerves. The nervous system gives information to all parts of the body about what to do and when to do it. When participating in sports, these three body systems work together in a seemingly effortless manner.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Table Tennis: Intro
- Lesson 4 – Grades: 5 – 8
Skateboard 101 - Design Your Board
Paul Schmitt, founder of CreateAskate.org, describes the 3 main parts of a skateboard. He also emphasizes the individual creativity and self-expression that is a part of the science of skateboarding.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Skateboard: Skateboard 101
- Lesson 5 – Grades: 5 – 8
Skateboard Wood
This lesson plan explores the type of wood used for skateboards and the geographical location where the wood is found. Basic skateboard construction is outlined.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Skateboard Wood
- Lesson 6 – Grades: 5 – 8
The Physics of the Ollie
Paul Schmitt, founder or CreateAskate.org, describes the science of the skateboard trick known as the “Ollie.” He also explains how the “Ollie” got its name. In this lesson, students will explore the physics of the Ollie!- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Skateboard: Ollie
- Lesson 7 – Grades: 9 – 12
Skateboard Design and Construction
The technology and consideration of materials that go into making skateboards is substantial. All things have been considered: weight of materials, energy transfer, cost, material location, etc. This lesson is about the anatomy of a skateboard.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Skateboard: Skateboard 101
- Listen online to Skateboard: Wood
- Listen online to Skateboard: Waffled
- Lesson 8 – Grades: 9 – 12
Physics of Skateboarding
Riding a skateboard requires some level of skill. Physical science tells us that these skills needed are mastery of one’s center of gravity, overcoming friction and (briefly) conquering gravity. Implied in this is the necessary transfer of energy and power input. Skateboarders try to maximize momentum, power, and balance. Of course, as you can well imagine, maximizing these physical principles also maximizes another factor – risk.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Skateboard: Ollie
- Lesson 9 – Grades: 9 – 12
Science and Sports
We often witness unbelievable and fantastic feats of athleticism while watching sports. What can be often overlooked is that science has played a major role in athletic success. At the very least, the actions can be explained by science. If the knowledge is available on how and why it happens, then the feat can be improved. This lesson explores the science behind several of the actions in sports.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Golf: A History of Technology
(All lesson plans include coverage of National Standards)
- Lesson 1– Grades: K – 4
The Earth in Our Solar System
The Earth, our home planet, is one of the planets in the solar system. It is the only planet known to harbor life. All things needed for survival are provided under a thin layer of atmosphere. The complex, interactive systems of air, water, land, and life combine to create an ever changing world.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Astrobiology: Water
- Listen online to The Moon: Earthquakes
- Lesson 2– Grades: K – 4
The Planets in Our Solar System
A planet is a large body which reflects the light of a star around which it revolves. There are 8 planets that make up our solar system. The 4 inner planets, closest to the Sun, are solid spheres of rock. They include Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. The 4 outer planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. They are large gaseous planets with rings. All 8 planets travel around the Sun in a different orbit.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Astrobiology: Europa 1
- Listen online to Astrobiology: Extreme Environments
- Listen online to Astrobiology: Europa 2
- Lesson 3– Grades: K – 4
The Sun and Stars
Our solar system’s star is the sun. The sun is a huge sphere of mostly ionized gas that supports life on Earth. It is the source of all food and fossil fuel. The sun is only one of many stars in the universe. Stars are hot balls of glowing gases that give off energy.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
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- Listen online to Pleiades
- Lesson 4– Grades: 5 – 8
Stuff in Space (Grades 5 – 8)
Space is filled with “stuff.” Some of this stuff is easy to see, some is detectable with common instruments, and some can only be detected by complex machines designed for the task. “Stuff” can include the tangible matter such as stars and comets, and intangible, theoretical matter that has not been proven to exist. Space was once thought of as empty space – scientists don’t think that anymore.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Black Holes: Basics
- Listen online to Black Holes: Detecting
- Listen online to Black Holes: Falling In
- Listen online to Missing Matter: Nature of Dark Objects
- Listen online to Missing Matter: White Dwarfs
- Listen online to Missing Matter: Wimps
- Listen online to Origins of the Universe: Cosmic Background Radiation
- Lesson 5– Grades: 5 – 8
Are We Alone? (Grades 5 – 8)
Is there other life in outer space? If there is life, has it evolved like we did? If the answer to these questions is in the numbers – then about half of the stars possibly have planets and some of those planets have Earth-like conditions, so chances are good for life on other planets. Yet, the question remains: Is anybody out there?- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Listening to the Universe: Intro
- Listen online to Listening to the Universe: False Alarms
- Listen online to Listening to the Universe: Simulation
- Lesson 6– Grades: 5 – 8
Making Contact
Since the mid-1970’s, pioneers such as Francis Drake have been designing ways to contact and communicate with extraterrestrial life, and discover evidence of other life in our galaxy. Large scale schemes and machines exist, or will so shortly, to help us find the answers we are looking for.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Listening to the Universe: Computers and Ears
- Lesson 7– Grades: 9 –12
Stuff In Space (Grades 9 –12)
Space is filled with “stuff.” Some of this stuff is easy to see, some is detectable with common instruments, and some can only be detected by complex machines designed for the task. “Stuff” can include the tangible matter such as stars and comets, and intangible, theoretical matter that has not been proven to exist. Space was once thought of as empty space – scientists don’t think that anymore.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Black Holes: Detecting
- Listen online to Black Holes: Basics
- Listen online to Black Holes: Falling In
- Listen online to Gamma Rays: Breakthroughs
- Listen online to Gamma Rays: Clues
- Listen online to Gamma Rays: The Quest
- Listen online to Missing Matter: Nature of the Dark Objects
- Listen online to Missing Matter: White Dwarfs
- Listen online to Missing Matter: Wimps
- Listen online to Origins of the Universe: Dark Matter
- Listen online to Origins of the Universe: Cosmic Background Radiation
- Listen online to Chemistry: Molecules
- Listen online to Chemistry: Waves
- Listen online to Chemistry: Machine
- Listen online to Chemistry: Collecting
- Listen online to Chemistry: The Search
- Lesson 8– Grades: 9 –12
Are We Alone? (Grades 9 –12)
Is there other life in outer space? If there is life, has it evolved like we did? If the answer to these questions is in the numbers – then about half of the stars possibly have planets and some of those planets have Earth-like conditions, so chances are good for life on other planets. Yet, the question remains: Is anybody out there?- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Listening to the Universe: Intro
- Listen online to Listening to the Universe: False Alarms
- Listen online to Listening to the Universe: Simulation
- Lesson 9– Grades: 9 –12
Making Contact
Since the mid-1970’s, pioneers such as Francis Drake have been designing ways to contact and communicate with extraterrestrial life, and discover evidence of other life in our galaxy. Large scale schemes and machines exist, or will so shortly, to help us find the answers we are looking for.- Download complete lesson plan and audio files [.zip file]
- Download lesson plan document only [Word .doc]
- Listen online to Listening to the Universe: Computers and Ears