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The Lesson Pony

I have developed lessons designed primarily for middle and high school students in science. These labs have been classroom tested for many years. Awards 2007-2005 Professional Learning Grant from the Waltham Chamber of Commerce 2001, and my name is on Mars 2001 Mars Rover for my contributions to NASA educational system.

I have developed lessons designed primarily for middle and high school students in science. These labs have been classroom tested for many years. Awards 2007-2005 Professional Learning Grant from the Waltham Chamber of Commerce 2001, and my name is on Mars 2001 Mars Rover for my contributions to NASA educational system.
Weather  Thunderstorm Graphic Organizer
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Weather Thunderstorm Graphic Organizer

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This is the perfect resource to help explain to your students the main facts about the inside of a thunderstorm. All the major parts of what causes the storm to develop is explained. Students can use this sheet for A. Homework B. Extra Credit C. Help visual learners understand D. To decorate your room Why use graphic organizers? It helps my students organize their notes, so we don’t need to spend a lot of time on them. Coloring is a technique that should be used in all grade levels because there is research that shows that it helps us to retain information on a deeper level. Coloring activates both sides of the brain’s hemisphere to help us remember, concentrate, solve problems, and use our fine motor skills to fill in each section. Studies show that adding images with notes increases retention by 30% with their study guides Conversations naturally start among the students. When we color, we do not need to concentrate as fully on the task as we would if we were completing a worksheet or writing a report. This frees us up for, well, talking.
Weather Thunderstorm Lab for Physics and Earth science
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Weather Thunderstorm Lab for Physics and Earth science

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**Fun lab ** Your students will love making a thunderstorm at their lab stations This lesson can be used for teaching a unit on weather or your high school physics class. Contains 2 readings Lab Oral questions for you to ask with answers included Objectives Model the buildup of charges that can occur during a storm Model a Lightning Strike Use a ground to control the path of discharge Materials Modeling clay 2 Aluminum pie pans Foam plate Wool cloth Paper Clip Total Pages 9 pages Answer Key N/A Teaching Duration 1 hour****
Magnetism-2 Labs and Reading Middle School Physics
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Magnetism-2 Labs and Reading Middle School Physics

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The incredible power of magnets is illustrated in two engaging labs hands-on labs. Clear and easy-to-follow editable lab worksheet Included is a reading for students to fully understand the power of magnets Students will discover that magnets are attracted to special metals. Objectives Magnets attract and repel other magnets. What makes some materials magnetic Materials Wide mouth jar Book Magnet Compass Eisco Labs Floating Ring Magnet Set with Wooden Base Total Pages 7 pages Answer Key Included Teaching Duration 45 minutes
The Great Ice Cube Melt
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The Great Ice Cube Melt

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Students design and create containers that will keep one standard-sized ice cubes in their solid form for a set period of time. The winner is the person who creates the container that keeps the ice cube solid for the longest period of time. Ribbon Templates are included for first, second, and third prize After the actual “Great Ice Cube Melt” students will analyze what worked and what did not Take the classic STEM challenge to the next level. Question Can you build a better cooler that can hold ice colder longer? This lab is an application of the engineering process. Also, includes Engineering Geometry Ratios Critical thinking Materials are common items around the home No prep for you but lots of science for your students. Students learn and apply concepts in thermodynamics and energy—mainly convection, conduction, and radiation— to solve a challenge. This is accomplished by splitting students into teams and having them follow the engineering design process to design and build a small insulated box, with the goal of keeping an ice cube frozen
Environment   keep our waters clean  lab.
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Environment keep our waters clean lab.

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This product contains 2 lessons-one a lab and the second a Power Point activity which can also be utilized as a sub-plan. Teach them together or they can stand alone This is an easy lab to set up. Students often wonder how the lifeguard keeps the water in a pool so clean.You can use pond water or teach this one if you have leftover microorganisms from another lab. Chlorination is the most common and effective method of destroying harmful microorganisms in water. Chlorine disinfectant is usually used as sodium hypochlorite in low concentrations. This lesson is two parts. The first is to have students observe what happens to the microorganisms when bleach is added. The second is a research project to learn about diseases associated with poor-quality water. Materials Pond water or solution containing microorganisms Bleach Eye dropper Microscope
Biology Macroinvertebrate Pollution Tolerance Index Middle & High School Science
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Biology Macroinvertebrate Pollution Tolerance Index Middle & High School Science

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Your students will love learning about the macroinvertebrates at the water’s edge DATA TO UNDERSTAND OUR ECOSYSTEM This product is perfect for Earth Day Ecology Camp lessons End of School STEM Science Camp Macroinvertebrates are subjected to day-to-day and longer-term changes in pollution, oxygen levels, and acidity levels., The type of macroinvertebrates students find in the stream reflects how healthy that still is overall or most of the time. This lab is a real-world test to determine the health of a stream. Students will be engaged to collect their samples and graph the results. Perfect for warm weather. No time to set up or break down this lab!!! MATERIALS Net Water (lake or stream) Magnifying glass Trays Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment. Examples of the design process include examining human environmental impacts, assessing the kinds of solutions that are feasible, and designing and evaluating solutions that could reduce that impact. Examples of human impacts can include water usage (such as the withdrawal of water from streams and aquifers or the construction of dams and levees), land usage (such as urban development, agriculture, or the removal of wetlands), and pollution (such as of the air, water, or land). If this product could really benefit your classroom, but you are not in a good financial situation to buy the product, please contact me and I will give you the product for free, no questions asked.
UV  Solar beads  Lab Stop Skin Cancer
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UV Solar beads Lab Stop Skin Cancer

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Need an engaging activity to investigate UV radiation and its effect on your student health. Keep your young scientists safe this summer with the knowledge gathered with this fun lab. Your students will be surprised to see white beads change color with exposure to UV light. Great to encourage the use of sunscreen. This lab is perfect for end-of-year, camps or part of your health lessons. I have also used it during my unit on Astronomy MATERIALS UV beads Sunscreen Plastic bags Contains Lab Instructions Worksheet to learn the importance of sunscreen
Chemistry, Oxidation Exothermic 2 Labs
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Chemistry, Oxidation Exothermic 2 Labs

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https://youtube.com/shorts/Fe00TLE6YeA?si=M6IlhvQc86Jy1m5I This fun lesson can be used for Classroom Camping Home School Low Prep Product contains 3 Labs Worksheet Poem by Robert Frost This lesson will work well with your English Department. MATERIALS Lab #1 Warm moist place Fresh-cut hay, fallen leaves, or grass Thermometers Lab #2 Steel wool (not the soapy kind) Jar Water Vinegar Bleach Thermometer Lab #3 Apple Lemon Juice Knife
Star Frame Constellations
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Star Frame Constellations

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This is a fun lab for students to learn important constellations. Clear step by step instructions with materials found in every classroom. Lessons has been classroom tested for many years.!
Speed of falling objects lab
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Speed of falling objects lab

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A quick fun lab to teach students about the speed of falling objects. Perfect for a physics class. There is no prep or clean up involved. Students will understand gravity after performing this lab.
Density Beach lab
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Density Beach lab

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Check out this is one period activity/lab to teach students about the concept of density This is a fun lab in which the entire class can enjoy on a hot day. The materials are found at every pool. Included is a worksheet to check the students understanding of the material. They will remember this lab for a very long time.
Temperature and evaporation
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Temperature and evaporation

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This lab can be used in a chemistry, health, physics or Earth Science class. Students will learn the effects of evaporation on cooling. Materials are items found in every science class. They will fill in a chart with their data to discover the information for themselves. A worksheet is included to check your students; understanding. *Answer key is provided
Planets'size lab
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Planets'size lab

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Your students will have a terrific time in this activity when they model the different size of the planets. This lesson will enable you to teach your students the differences in the sizes of the planets using everyday objects. Classroom tested! This lesson is fully editable.
Genetics Monstrous Genetics lab
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Genetics Monstrous Genetics lab

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Your middle school students will be excited to learn how genetic mutations can make the difference if a species lives or becomes extinct. This is an activity which has been classroom tested for many years. Great as an introduction or conclusion lab in genetics. You can also teach this lab in your unit of evolution. Students will discover how often mutations will not help an organism survive. They will work in teams to overcome challenges presented in this activity.