High schoolers simulate the inheritance patterns of several different diseases caused by recessive genes. They identify and research five genetic disorders they would like to know more about and present their findings to the class.

Learners discover the structure of DNA, and determine how genetics have supported rather than refuted Darwin's ideas.

Students explore the structure and function of the cell. They begin by identifying the cell as the common unit of life in all living organisms, large and small. They examine single-celled organisms and how they carry out different life...

Students investigate how the human body self-regulates to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment -- a process called homeostasis.

Students compare the climate and organisms found in different environments, then give examples of how plants and animals adapt to their environment. They design an animal who adapts using camouflage to a made-up environment.

Middle schoolers recognize that a connection exists between an organism's physical and behavioral traits and its environment. They explore and define different types of interactions that can occur between organisms.

Students design, build, and test a model of a free-standing structure used to support overhead road signs.

Students explore the purpose of rules and laws in society, as well as some of the basic tenets of the Constitution that address equal rights for all citizens. Next, they examine historical examples of segregation and consider its impact...

Students experience vibrations using several of their senses, and design a test that uses their sense of hearing to judge the effectiveness of different solids to transmit sound vibrations.

Students observe chemical reactions that produce obvious effects. They begin by exploring a different substance every day for one week. They compare the substances and examine how substances can be solids, liquids, or gases.

Students discover that the environmental conditions of a place determine the types of plants and animals that live there.

Students gather evidence to explain that organisms in an ecosystem are tied together by their need for energy. They see that decomposers break down dead organisms and wastes and release the nutrients they contain into the soil,

Students think about what might happen to plants and animals if their environment changed. They play a predator/prey game to simulate what might happen to the praying mantis if the rain forest were cut down.

Young scholars review the engineering design process and discuss a variety of windmills, focusing on the different materials used in the construction and the type of work each windmill does and they use simple materials to build their...

Students explain the similarities and differences in the life cycles of organisms. The lesson begins with a reading of Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Students explain that all living things have a life cycle that includes being born, developing into an adult, reproducing, and eventually dying.

Students examine the application of the Mann Act of 1910. They state the factors of the Act that lead to Jack Johnson's conviction. They also examine the reasons why women turned to prostitution because of the Mann Act.

Students investigate how to optimize the power output of a photovoltaic cell using a home-made gnomon stand. They use data collected to create current-voltage and power-voltage curves and determine the "maximum power point," (MPP) at...

Young scholars design and construct a solar-powered model car. They watch a PowerPoint presentation, construct the car in small groups, and participate in a car race.

Students investigate the processes and characteristics of volcanoes. They watch real-life videos of volcanoes and identify the physical features and eruption types, create a notebook of volcano characteristics, and identify volcano...

Students engage in a multimedia study of the seasons in relation to the sun's angle of incidence on the Earth as it is tilted on its axis. They interpret satellite maps of the world as they show seasonal changes in plant life.

Middle schoolers use lecture, maps and video to analyze the distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes. They relate this distribution to the theory of plate tectonics and conduct several experiments to illustrate the forces at work in...

Students use videos and maps as a springboard for a discussion in which they differentiate between natural disasters and natural hazards. They explore steps being taken to minimize the impact of hazards and disasters and create and...

Learners identify the ways in which water moves through our environment and consider the different forms it can be found in. They view videos, conduct experiments and participate in class discussions. Students determine the role that...