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An assortment of teaching kit items: pH testing strips, test tubes and more

EarthEcho Water Quality Testing

Test the dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity and temperature of a local waterway around your learning space! Then, upload your test results to an international database to compare your results to others’ and contribute to the citizen scientists interested in keeping our waterways healthy.
An assortment of teaching kit items: pvc pipes, foam insulation, cotton balls, calcium nitrate, exacto knives, pens, and more

What? No Soil

After learning the five basic requirements of plant growth, discuss terms related to hydroponics. Then, build and maintain hydroponic units out of soda bottles! Minnesota Science Standards:6.1.2.1
An assortment of teaching kit items: cotton bals, lights, thermometers and pipettes

Germination Research

Discuss factors that affect a seed’s germination time, then perform a mini-experiment involving the steps of the scientific method. Minnesota Science Standards:5.1.1.2, 7.1.1.2 Minnesota Language Arts Standards:6.14.2.2
An assortment of teaching kit items: books, plastic bags, a jar and a spray bottle

Composting for Better Soil

Learn about composting: its definition, its effects on soil, how to make it and what lives in it! Minnesota Science Standards:3.4.1.1, 5.4.1.1, 5.4.2.1 Minnesota Language Arts Standards:3.6.3.3, 4.6.3.3, 5.6.3.3
An assortment of teaching kit items: packaging of snacks and beverages, plastic bags and paper bags

The Healthy Hop N Shop

Learn about the USDA MyPlate through a pretend grocery store, and explore the importance of each food group. The Healthy Hop N Shop Lesson Plan Minnesota Science Standards:0.4.1.1, 1.4.1.1, 2.4.1.1, 3.4.1.1, 5.4.1.1 Minnesota Health Standards:2.8.1, 3.7.2, 5.7.2
An assortment of teaching kit items: books, potting soil and compostable cups

Magic Beans and Giant Plants

After predicting what – other than magic – caused Jack’s beanstalk to grow so tall, students design and conduct experiments to explore how different conditions affect plant growth. This open-ended investigation of conditions for plant growth assumes some student knowledge of basic plant needs (light, water, etc) and can be used as a springboard for… View More
collection of papers and materials about animal behaviors

Animal Behavior Studies

Engage students in authentic animal behavior research using the live fish collection at Great Lakes Aquarium.
collection of info cards and information materials

Attack Pack

This kit features twelve lessons for a variety of ages that relate to invasive species in the Great Lakes.
map and information cards

The Watershed Game

The Watershed Game helps students understand the relationship between land uses within a watershed, water quality, and their community. Working in teams, students apply tools (practices, plans, and policies) to decrease water pollution while balancing financial resources. The goal for the activity is to reduce pollution from various land uses to the stream without going… View More
satelite image of Duluth

Freshwater Estuary/Wetlands Model: Exploring Estuary and Wetland Functions

As the St. Louis River flows into Lake Superior, it creates a freshwater estuary.  This dynamic area can provide several important aquatic habitats; open water, sediment on the bottom and wetlands along the shoreline. Students will observe the characteristics of wetlands and estuaries through the use of a model and identify their importance to the health of aquatic… View More