Although the methods are all scientific, forensic science was started by police officers rather than scientists, who relied on observation and common sense. Young detectives use many tools to solve crimes around the school in a...

Students interview employers and employees at local coffee shops about sales and profits and create graphs comparing and contrasting information obtained about the businesses.

A species-specific look at natural selection, the resource herein examines how adaptations have helped the population of rock pocket mice survive in a changing landscape. To begin, middle or high schoolers watch a 10.5 minute video,...

Students collect, organize by table, and examine census data in a simulation, estimate the size of the population in the simulation and make predictions based on the collection of census simulation data.

Students work in collaborative teams with specific roles, use the Internet to research the behavior and ecology of pikas, make predictions about survival rates of pikas in different habitats and organize their data in graphs.

Take young scientists into the depths of the world's ocean with the second lesson of this three-part earth science series. After first drawing pictures representing how they imagine the bottom of the ocean to appear, students...

Students participate in a WebQuest in which they must determine which amusement park is the "median priced" park. Students visit park websites to accumulate prices for parking, activities, restaurants, and gift shops.

Fourth graders participate in a stock investment activity in which they research stocks to place in an imaginary portfolio. They invest $10,000 in a variety of stocks and track their progress using the Internet or newspapers.

Learners discover the history of hot air balloons by watching one ascent.  In this physics instructional activity, students utilize a Montgolfier Hot Air Balloon from an earlier instructional activity and record the temperature,...

Students analyze racial issues related to the Human Genome Project. They participate in a mock symposium and write a reflection/position paper based on specific ethical principals.

Learners practice analyzing skeletal remains for clues by using the Internet.  In this scientific investigation lesson, students research the La Belle shipwreck using the Internet and written materials, later completing a Skeletal...

Students determine where to buy the heaviest earthworms as they study invertebrates. They create a double bar graph of the results of the weight data.

Students take on the role of epidemiologists. They investigate an "outbreak" in serious birth defects that occur in infants born to teenage girls. students discover a link between the use of the acne drug called Accutane and birth defects.

Using a pulse monitor, learners will measure a resting pulse, take a math test, and then measure the pulse again. They analyze the change in pulse and compare it to performance on the test. This multi-purpose lesson can be used in a...

Students learn about the importance and risk that stocks carry within a business. In this financial management instructional activity, students use role play and case scenario situations to decide what stocks are best for given...

Students experience what it is like to be a responsible citizen through a monthly budget through using a variety of research skills. They apply collected data in a decision making exercise and present the final product in a clear and...

Young scholars examine how animals protect themselves from predators and camouflage themselves. They participate in a simulation in which they locate red and green yarn "caterpillars," organize their data, and generate a bar graph using...

First graders explore geometry by completing a worksheet in class. In this non-standard measurement unit lesson, 1st graders discuss different techniques for measuring items without the use of a ruler. Students read several short stories...

Students simulate creating and calculating employees payrolls using hourly wages, deductions, and proper taxes.

Students classify leaves by shape and margins and use them to create models of plant fossils. By using paper over a leaf, they simulate fossilization of organisms onto sedimentary rocks. Following instructions on worksheets, students...

Third graders are introduced to the importance of science safety. As a class, they role play through different safety procedures and decide which senses need to be protected for different scenerios. They discuss how to avoid hazardous...

Students complete a game-like simulation to determine a career and salary. In groups, they collect information and decide what is the "best" city in which to live. They create a monthly budget for their "best" city based on salary from...

Sixth graders complete a WebQuest to study the names and locations of the planets in the solar system. They investigate the causes of the seasons and the distance between the planets using astronomical units. They use technology to...

Learners, after researching/analyzing the concept of environmental health to air quality, role-play the basic principals of epidemiology. They act out a specific scenario to generate questions, draft a research plan, and generate...