Students write the electron configuration of elements using the Aufbau principle. In this chemistry instructional activity, students build their own key that demonstrates the principle.

Eighth graders identify the living and nonliving components of an ecosystem. In this ecology instructional activity, 8th graders explain the role each organism plays. They participate in class discussion and answer a quiz at the end...

Students design an experiment to analyze the timbre of different instruments. In this physics lesson, students analyze the missing quality in sound. They discuss their results in class.

Students exchange folktales with a key-pal using dialog journal writing. They write out a folktale from their own cultural background and exchange it with students of another. They record their impressions of each other's folktales.

Students calculate the values of electron binding energies. In this physics lesson, students solve for different wavelength characteristics of X-rays. They present their findings to the class.

Students design a program to make an automated vehicle perform a specific task. In this robotics lesson, students play the role of scientists competing to win a factory's contract. They present their algorithm to class.

Students calculate the speed of string racers. In this physics instructional activity, students measure the time in several trials and get the average. They graph their results using a spreadsheet.

Students create a video of an object falling with a drag. In this physics lesson, students calculate drag coefficient using data from Logger Pro. They calculate velocity and acceleration of the object.

Students discover how muscles work. In this biology activity, students explain the causes of fatigue and muscle soreness. They create graphs and compare results with their classmate.

Ninth graders discuss time demands such as homework, family, and chores that occupy their free time. They discuss how to effectively manage their time. They write important information and activities on a calendar. They develop and...

Students investigate the dangers of radiation by exploring recent nuclear tragedies.  In this scientific debate lesson, students define the idea of radiation "half life" and determine if low doses of radiation are truly damaging to...

Students study the importance of clean water to the survival of organisms and what activiities and material pollute water. They measure the temperature of water samples and create a class graph.

Students use their basic knowledge of physiology to analyze graphical data of paramecia under diverse conditions. From the data analysis, Students develop explanations of the animal's response to the concentration of different solutions...

Fourth graders identify the origins of meats and vegetables consumed by humans on a daily basis. They classify foods (meats, dairy products, grains...) and create a food pyramid.

Eleventh graders are divided up into groups and work on separate worksheets. They reassemble as a class and discuss the different articles and how the railroads affected people's lives.

Fourth graders, who live on a Native American reservation, investigate how land management is addressed at Tribal Council meetings. They participate in a simulation of a meeting as the discover the workings of tribal government. They...

Learners simulate an archeological dig in the classroom to explore a culture through its artifacts.

Pupils compare occupations during the 19th century with the 21st century using information from 19th century census information.

Students investigate an attic or basement to "discover" family artifacts. They develop a grid map using string, create a naming system for the grid, and analyze items of interest.

Inquiry-based lesson plans are usually referred to as "facilitation plans," to help teachers remember their role as facilitator of learning, rather than fount of all wisdom. The notion also helps teachers structure lessons more loosely...

An outdoor activity where young scholars visit a local stream for a scientific inquiry. They make observations about the stream, and take measurements of the stream's velocity, depth, and width. They will also develop a sediment...

For this activity, students are presented with red pine cones that have been partly eaten by the American Red Squirrel, a fact that is not divulged to them at this stage. After a discussion of the possibilities, the class takes a walk in...

During this module students learn about biodynamic farming through hands-on activities that culminate in having multiple schools collaborate to design subsystems that are combined to make a working aquaponic system. During the SAGE...

A well-designed science investigation that has students examine and graph seasonal temperature data from cities at different latitudes. They describe trends they see, and explain what they think causes these trends. They then identify...