Cornell University
Build a Fuel Cell
Discover the connection between redox reactions and fuel cells. Collaborative groups build a Hoffmann Apparatus that demonstrates the electrolysis of water and then convert their models into a fuel cell. They use their fuel cells to...
Cornell University
Extracting DNA
Uncover the basics of DNA structure through exploration activities. Collaborative groups build DNA models and recreate the process of replication. Then, using plant cells such as peas or strawberries, they extract a DNA sample.
Cornell University
Electroplating
Silver pennies and copper nickels are made possible by applying some chemistry. Learners use electrolysis to coat a penny with zinc sulfate and a nickel with copper sulfate. Their investigation builds an understanding of electroplating...
Cornell University
Discovering Enzymes
Explore the function of enzymes through a series of lab investigations. Learners use household enzymes such as hydrogen peroxide to model the role of enzymes. The enzymes break down proteins with and without a catalyst.
PBS
Why Do We Have Seasons?
Explore the reason for the seasons! An interactive lesson allows learners to explore the earth's rotation from the viewpoint of four cities at different latitudes. It provides descriptive information at eight points during the orbit...
Towson University
Looking Into Lactase: Structured Inquiry
Why is lactase important? Biology scholars explore enzyme function in a structured inquiry lab. The activity tasks lab groups with observing how temperature and pH affect enzyme activity, as well as determining which milk products...
Towson University
Chestnut Tree Lab
What will your class learn in a curious tale of a fungus, a virus, and a chestnut tree? Biology scholars discover the world of viral biocontrols through a DNA restriction lab. Groups research the decline of the American chestnut tree at...
Maker Media
Makerspace Playbook
Make the most of project-based learning with Makerspace. A playbook shows instructors and other interested parties how to set up a Makerspace and Maker community to foster STEM projects. It gives ideas for startup activities and for...
Cornell University
Making a Battery
Don't be shocked when your class has a blast making their own batteries! Science scholars examine a dry cell battery, then design and construct a wet cell battery. The activity guides them through the parts of a battery, the variables...
CK-12 Foundation
Linear Equations: Temperature Transitions
Explore linear conversions using an engaging interactive lesson. Learners drag a point on a graph to discover the equivalent degrees in Fahrenheit and Celsius. Embedded questions highlight key features such as slope and the y-intercept.
University of Minnesota
C. elegans and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
Introduce the topic of astrobiology in a unit that's out of this world. Biology scholars examine the search for extraterrestrial life by culturing roundworms, a species that has been key in helping researchers understand the challenges...
NASA
Eclipse Activity Guide
Ever made solar s'mores? Or recreated the solar system using peanuts? Astronomers young and old investigate all things solar using a variety of activities. Explore how the sun works, types of light it emits, and methods of charting the...
Big Kid Science
Create a Milk Carton Camera to Observe the Eclipse!
Step aside, fancy glasses... it's time to create a solar eclipse viewing camera of your own using nothing more than a milk carton.
Big Kid Science
Create Dynamic Art Using the Eclipse!
What happens to light as it passes through a hole? This is the main question centered around the designing of a solar eclipse dynamic art piece that uses a solar eclipse and paper to create a pinhole projection of the art.
Education Development Center
Similar Triangles
Model geometric concepts through a hands-on approach. Learners apply similar triangle relationships to solve for an unknown side length. Before they find the solution, they describe the transformation to help identify corresponding sides.
CK-12 Foundation
Bisectors of Line Segments and Angles: Cut a Line
Geometric constructions build relationships —by simply manipulating simple tools. An interactive lesson presents a completed construction of a segment bisector and has learners analyze the important aspects. Ultimately, they should be...
Education Development Center
Creating a Polynomial Function to Fit a Table
Discover relationships between linear and nonlinear functions. Initially, a set of data seems linear, but upon further exploration, pupils realize the data can model an infinite number of functions. Scholars use multiple representations...
Education Development Center
Interpreting Statistical Measures—Class Scores
Explore the effect of outliers through an analysis of mean, median, and standard deviation. Your classes examine and compare these measures for two groups. They must make sense of a group that has a higher mean but lower median compared...
Education Development Center
Factoring a Degree Six Polynomial
Within collaborative groups, scholars factor a degree six polynomial. They can factor the polynomial using many different strategies — a great way to prompt mathematical discussion.
CK-12 Foundation
Bisectors of Line Segments and Angles: Cut an Angle
Explore constructions through an interactive online lesson. Given an example of an angle bisector construction, learners investigate the markings to determine the method used. Challenge questions help solidify the steps.
CK-12 Foundation
Angle Measurement: Fuel Gauge Angles
Once you start looking, angles appear everywhere in our daily lives. A creative lesson has learners use the angles created by a fuel gauge to practice the Angle Addition Postulate. They see how changing the angle parts does not change...
CK-12 Foundation
Angle Measurement: Adding Angles
Build angles from angles. Using the Angle Addition Postulate, learners find the measures of unknown angles. The interactive simulation shows a visual representation of the postulate and allows individuals to manipulate the angles and...
CK-12 Foundation
Congruent Angles and Angle Bisectors: Bisecting Pepperoni Pizza
Who doesn't like pizza? A creative lesson uses a piece of pizza to explore angle bisectors and congruent angles. Young scholars work through a simulation to create congruent slices of pizza by analyzing an angle bisector. They then...
CK-12 Foundation
Angle Classification: Crazy Quilt
There's more to a quilt than just a pretty pattern—there's geometry! Explore angle classification using an artistic approach to show your class that quilt designs are really just intricate geometric patterns. Here, scholars create a...