NASA
Raisin Bread Universe
What is the universal breakfast? The resource includes two activities, the first one observing oatmeal to understand the texture of the universe. Then, scholars measure raisin bread dough before and after it rises to represent the...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Got Lactase? The Co-Evolution of Genes and Culture
Does the human body evolve as quickly as human culture? With a stellar 15-minute video, explore the trait of lactose intolerance. Only about 1/3 of human adults seem to still have the enzyme lactase and therefore, the ability to digest...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Using DNA to Explore Lizard Phylogeny
In a fun and interactive two-day lesson, learners sort anole lizard pictures by appearance. Next, they watch a video about the anoles and re-sort based on the information in the video. In addition to physical characteristics, budding...
Curated OER
The Water Cycle
Fifth graders explore the major components of the water cycle. They pay close attention to evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. A water cycle kit is set up in the classroom, which learners observe for a couple of days before the...
Curated OER
The Natural Selection of Bean Hunters
Students, in groups, hunt for beans placed in the lawn. Each group uses a different tool (hand, spoon, fork, etc.) and there are three different colors of beens.
Curated OER
A Peek at the Past: Gradualism vs. Punctuated Equilibria
Pupils consider two sets of simulated fossils (caminalcules) that are provided as cutouts. They arrange them on two time scales. One set produces a visual example of gradualism, the other shows punctuated equilibria.
Curated OER
ON BECOMING A NONVIOLENT WARRIOR
Students examine the concept of non-violent social change. In this instructional activity on social change, students research and role play to demonstrate ways in which this might be accomplished while making connections to various...
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
The Game of SKUNK
Do I stand or do I sit? The class plays a dice game where they must decide to either continue to stand and play or sit down and keep their points. After the game, groups discuss individuals' strategies and see connections to the...
Curated OER
Candy Dish Selection
High schoolers explore natural selection. They explore the concepts of adaptations, and the way which random factors affect the survival of individuals and populations.
Curated OER
Pitch, Yaw & Roll
Students practice the concepts of pitch, yaw and roll. They practice pitch, yaw, roll in a make-believe airplane simulator. Students explore about air, forces, and movement of flight. They read for themselves about air; lift, dragweight,...
Curated OER
El Cuerpo and Commands Vocabulary Games
Young scholars study Spanish vocabulary words for body parts, and also study a number of action verbs. They participate in Total Physical Response by responding to teacher given commands. They play a number of games based on the vocabulary.
Curated OER
Cell Organelles
High schoolers explore biology by researching living cells. For this living organism lesson, students participate in a role-playing activity in which all the high schoolers in class form one plant cell by portraying specific parts of a...
Curated OER
Social Studies, Civics Lesson
High schoolers examine the development of government. They identify different theories of political thought around the world. They participate in a play to discover their own political views on key issues.
Curated OER
The Chips Are Down: A Natural Selection Simulation
Students, in teams, use different colored paper chips to represent prey and a piece of fabric as the environment.
Curated OER
Clipbirds
Students attempt to pick up various objects with a wide variety of beaks, including scissors, spoons, etc.
Curated OER
Limiting Factors/Evolution Game
High schoolers play a board game with provided cards which help them realize that limiting factors may restrict an organism in its development and productivity and direct evolutionary pathways.
Curated OER
Natural Selection in Protected And Unprotected Populations
Studnets compare how two elephant seal populations fare during successive generations. They participate in a simulation using a card game to look at the differences in two populations, one that is protected from mortality by human...
Curated OER
Primate Characteristics and Exaptation
High schoolers compare the features of gorilla to humans. For this biology lesson, students simulate adaptation using materials found in the classroom. They explain what exaptation means.
ARKive
Biodiversity and Evolution – Darwin’s Finches
Teens experience natural selection firsthand (or first beak) in an activity that has them act as finches foraging for food. Using different household items to act as different beak styles, your little finches will collect as much...
Curated OER
Wherever We Go, There They Are!
The central video for this lesson is not available through the included resource link. However, the activity that simulates the passing of a virus through a population is impacting and the other resource links are invaluable. Use this...
Curated OER
Segregation
Students consider the implications of prejudice. In this segregation instructional activity, students experience a simulation that has school staff favoring students with blue eyes. Students discuss the simulation experience, watch "The...
Curated OER
Under the Sea - Ocean Mammals/Fish
Students explore the similarities and differences between ocean mammals and fish. The characteristics of the life forms observed are placed onto a graph. The classroom becomes the botom of the sea and is explored to gain the required data.
Curated OER
The American Revolution and Its Heroes
Students, through a variety of activities, discover historical aspects of the American Revolution. They make maps and create timelines to track significant events. They create a book about the American Revolution and re-enact Paul...
Curated OER
Running an Export Business
Students define and give examples of importing and exporting, then analyze the role of importing and exporting on employment. They outline the basic procedures for exporting in an international market. Finally, students utilize...