An Investigation into
Effects of Rhizobium Soil Bacteria
on Nitrogen Availability
Problem/Purpose:
What is the effect of a nitrifying bacterium such as Rhizobium on plant
growth?
Classtime: 9-10 weeks
Grade Level: 7-12
Stream Quality Assessment
Problem/Purpose:
Water quality in fresh water resources is an ever increasing problem in
the world. This investigation is designed to allow the student to investigate
many of the factors that affect water quality. The student will also gain
practice in researching and understanding what raw data about a stream
means relative to the stream's health. This investigation will help determine
where rivers are healthy and where they are in danger. Once a problem
is identified, then a solution can be explored.
Classtime: 6 50-minute class periods
Grade Level: 9-10
Comparing Microscopic Organisms
in Fresh and Polluted Water:
An Invitation to Inquiry
Problem/Purpose:
Students should experience this activity as an opportunity to develop
and formulate ideas and explanations through the scientific standard of
inquiry. They should also learn something about microorganisms.
Classtime: 5 50-minute class periods
Grade Level: 6-12
Do You See What I See?
Problem/Purpose:
The purpose of this activity is to give students an introductory understanding
of the functions of two specific parts of the human eye, the iris and
the pupil. Students will make an elementary comparison of the pupil and
the iris of the human eye to the aperture and the shutter of a camera.
Classtime: 3 30-minute class periods
Grade Level: 1-4
Growth Rate of Space Wheat vs. Earth Wheat
Problem/Purpose:
Students compare the performance of Apogee (wheat that has been genetically
selected for growth in space stations) with earthly varieties under similar
conditions.
Classtime: 2 50-minute class periods
Grade Level: 3-12
Measuring the pH, Temperature, and
Dissolved Oxygen Content in a Stream
Problem/Purpose:
Do human practices (such as the use of fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation
runoff, town runoff, sewage disposal, waste treatment etc.) have any noticeable
affects on the quality of stream life as measured by the pH, temperature,
and dissolved oxygen content of the stream under investigation.
Classtime: 2 50-minute class periods
Grade Level: 5-12
Should Soil Be Sterile?
Problem/Purpose:
Is the sterilization of topsoil beneficial to seed germination and plant
growth?
Classtime: 5 50-minute class periods
Grade Level: 2-12
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