Students participate in a simulation using M&M's that highlights Garrett Hardin's concept of the "tragedy of the commons." They use the activities to study sustainability issues in the fishing industry.

Students examine how seeds germinate in a culture.  In this germination lesson students germinate seeds in gelatin and observe the growth of the plant.

A couple PowerPoint presentations are used to stimulate discussion about the perspectives of different countries on the issue of energy consumption. Afterward, they play a game in which each team is assigned a country, considers its...

Discover facts about cotton, farming, and economic growth in this engaging lesson. As each question is read, one of ten solid tiles covering an illustration of a cotton plant is removed. Students use the verbal and visual clues to...

Young scholars explore muckraking. For this American history lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of Upton Sinclair's The Jungle. Young scholars respond to discussion questions pertaining to...

Students illustrate cause and effect of pollution to human health through the analysis of an image from the American Industrial Era. They investigate how industry affected rest of the community or city.

Students examine and explore various aspects of change at the turn of the century including economic, political, civil and others. Students then locate and analyze various primary sources to write an essay that demonstrates their...

Students make estimates on how many people they believe live on Earth. While watching a video, they take notes on the issues facing Kenya, Japan and India. In groups, they calculate how long it takes for a country to double in size. To...

Students examine an experiment in which 2 types of commercial fish are fed a new type of fish feed and a commercial fish feed which costs ten times as much. They calculate in the fish grow as well with the cheaper fish feed and then...

Young scholars discuss problems immigrants may have when coming to a new country. They take on the role of a law maker from the era and create an action plan and policy based on samples they read (links provided). Students discuss ways...

Students demonstrate the decision-making process for marine reserves designations. In this role-playing lesson students analyze maps and data relating to a proposed reserve. They formulate the best decisions based on overall issues.

Students investigate factors that are related to the travel and tourism industry in preparation for the Edexcel BTEC National qualification. They examine real world example of the industry.

Students examine Salem's transition from a merchant to industrial economy. Using a report by investors, they examine the process and debates that occured when wanting to build a textile mill in Salem. They discuss the challenges...

Students explore the influence of the landscape of Ireland on shaping the poetry of William Butler Yeats. They work in groups researching the growth of the Irish Nationalist Movement, Celtic origins, invasions, and the impact on the...

The terms and definitions involved with growing, harvesting, and processing of tree fruits are given in these clear and attractive slides.  Details of  horticulture and crops are given. For instance, demand and growth of the...

Antibacterial socks are a product of nanotechnology. An inquiry-based lesson asks collaborative groups to create their own antibacterial socks and then test them against other products on the market. The sock with the least amount...

While a woman didn't invent the parasol, three women received patents for their improvements to the original design of umbrellas. In the first of a two-part series on inventive women, class members investigate the patent system to...

Biodiversity is essential for every habitat, but many species are at risk due to pollution and other factors. Explore several different species native to Illinois in a gallery walk with posters that learners have created after research...

Could saving really harm the economy? Discover the paradox of thrift and how decreases in consumption can affect economic recovery and various markets and industries.

High schoolers research how the growth of railroads led to an industrial revolution in Texas and read a newspaper article debating which railroad company should come to Travis County. They write their own article and debate the railroad...

Learners compare and contrast the industrialized nations with the developing ones. In groups, they link a developing country with a industrialized one that could increase its economic development. They present their findings to the class...

Students germinate seeds in unflavored gelatin to which liquid house plant food has been added. Students observe and record plant growth in this medium with a variety of variables in a number of experiments.

Students consider the factors that go into running a restaurant and examine how the restaurant industry impacts the economy of the United States. They create skeleton proposals for new restaurants and consider the costs of this type of...