PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Contemplating Nature vs. Nurture
Does having an addict in your family make it more likely to become one yourself? Explore the genetic risk factors, as well as the prominent environmental influences, for substance addiction in a lesson that encourages awareness and open...
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: The Cycle of Addiction
Drug addiction, including prescription drug addiction, begins with a reason that's different for every user. High schoolers learn more about the reasons people begin abusing drugs with a set of videos and worksheets that discuss four...
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Myth or Fact
Are opioids the most abused drug after marijuana? How hard is it for young people to obtain painkillers without a prescription? Middle and high schoolers explore the growing epidemic of opioid addiction with a instructional activity that...
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Campaign
The I-STOP law was designed to regulate the distribution and tracking of prescription drugs. After reading an article about its signing and implementation, middle and high schoolers work together to come up with their own ideas for an...
Discovery Education
The Cycle of Addiction
Learners examine how families and peers influence their decision making. For this addiction lesson middle schoolers study the cycle of addiction to drugs and what can be done to prevent it.Â
Curated OER
Tobacco Addiction
Fourth graders research nicotine addiction. In this tobacco lesson, 4th graders explore the reasons people become addicted to smoking. Students examine the health risks caused by nicotine addiction and create anti-smoking posters.
Curated OER
The Drug Dope Show
In small groups, students research an assigned drug category including its physical effects, addiction treatments and the societal, academic and economic impacts of drug abuse. They engage in a "talk show" and discussion about drug...
Curated OER
Drugs and Safety Precautions
Drugs can both help and harm depending on how they are used. Fifth graders complete a learning exercise that provides background information on prescription drugs. They read the text and then describe why medication manufacturers label...
Curated OER
Drugs Change the Way Neurons Communicate
Students examine that certain drugs interfere selectively with neurotransmission, and realize that the effect of a drug is dependent upon dosage and route of administration.
Curated OER
Just Can't Get Enough
Students research modern addictions and create public service announcements about them. They research modern additions such as food, shopping, and video games.
Curated OER
Journalism: Underage Drinking
Students research underage drinking and read a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association about the issue. They interview experts on substance abuse and liquor store owners about their policies. Students publish their...
Teach Engineering
All Fats Are Not Created Equal
Apply robotics to connect physical properties to chemical properties. Future engineers use robots to determine the melting points of various fats and oils. The robots can do this by measuring the translucency of the fats as they heat up.
Curated OER
The Tobacco Time Bomb: What's In A Cigarette?
In this enlightening and disturbing health lesson, students read and discuss information on smoking and closely-look at the ingredients in a cigarette. You will be amazed at the list of ingredients that are found in cigarettes. This...
Curated OER
Under the Influence
Students examine the effects of teen drinking. In this personal health instructional activity, students research alcohol's effect on the teen brain. Students discuss their findings about the alcohol-brain connection and create brain maps.
Curated OER
Girls are Drinking Like Boys
Students explore alcohol use. In this health journalism lesson, students read the USA Today article titled "Girls are Drinking Like Boys", respond to discussion questions regarding the article, and complete an activity based on the...
Curated OER
Nicotine Why is it so hard to quit smoking?
Students interview both smokers and nonsmokers to get their point of view on the topic. They prepare bar graphs based on the data accumulated by the class during the interviews.