Curated OER
Genetic Jewels: Building the DNA Model
Students construct segments of DNA to create a piece of jewelry. In this genetics lesson students create a DNA sequence that they turn into something to wear.
Curated OER
Hominoid Cranium Comparison
Students describe, measure and compare cranial casts from contemporary apes (chimpanzees and gorillas, typically), modern humans and fossil "hominids" (erect and bipedal forms evolutionarily separated from apes).
Curated OER
FOOTSTEPS IN TIME
High schoolers measure and correlate their foot lengths and body heights, then use this data to estimate height of Laetoli hominids. They use metric measurement and graphing to determine these heights.
Curated OER
Comparison of Human and Chimpanzee Chromosomes
Students actively engage in the careful analysis of chromosome banding patterns and identify examples of inversion in homologous chromosomes.
Curated OER
Perception is Not Always Reality
Pupils view various types of illusions. Using one of the illusions, they try to determine how a scientist might explain them. They discover a t-illusion and use their own words to analyze them. In groups, they research a different solution.
Curated OER
Crime Scene: The Case of the Missing Computer Chip
Students, in teams, attempt to solve a simulated crime scene.
Curated OER
Women's Brains
Students experience an example of bias in science dealing with women and gender.
Curated OER
The Natural Selection of Stick-Worms
Young scholars discuss and role-play the elements of natural selection. They use toothpicks to represent Stick-Worms and discover the mechanisms of change of traits in populations.
Curated OER
Lamarck vs Darwin: Dueling Theories
Learners, in groups, study cheetah, blind cave organisms, and naked mole rats to explain facets of evolution.
Curated OER
Introductions and Conclusions
Ninth graders explore the techniques for writing an effective introduction and concluding paragraph in their academic essay. They create an outline of where they plan to take the reader and explore the methods for creating an...
Curated OER
PATTERNS IN TIME
Students build a realistic sense of geological time, seek clues of transition fossils and find them. In this investigative lesson plan students complete several activities and worksheets on fossils.
Curated OER
Mystery of the Matching Marks
High schoolers view a Power Point and complete activities related to genetic evidence of human evolution. In this molecular evolution lesson, students view and discuss a provide presentation. They search for the "tell-tale telomere" and...
Curated OER
Case of the Threespine Stickleback
Students examine why some freshwater populations of stickleback fish. In this macroevolution lesson students read a study packet then answer questions.
Curated OER
Are You Getting Thirsty?
Young scholars study droughts and how they affect communities and coastal ecosystems. In this ecosystems lesson students use data to examine drought conditions in certain areas.
Curated OER
The Interconnectedness of Ancient Peoples Map Study
Seventh graders begin this lesson by viewing various maps of the Ancient World. As a class, they take notes on the changes of different areas in Europe and Asia as their teacher lectures to them. They answer questions about the...
Curated OER
Water: Naturally Cleaned
Learners use stream trays covered in different types of rocks or soil to investigate infiltrates and runoff. In this water pollution instructional activity, students work in groups with stream trays that have different substrates. They...
Curated OER
Images of Katrina
Students use maps and online data to find specific geographic areas. In hurricane Katrina lesson students use aerial photographic imagery to see some impacts of hurricane Katrina.
Curated OER
The First Thanksgiving: The Pilgrim’s Journey
Students discuss history. For this pilgrims lesson, students discover what life was like for people coming over to the New World on the Mayflower. They participate in class discussions as the teacher navigates through a Scholastic...
Curated OER
Making a Karst Dictionary
Students practice using the correct vocabulary in geology and hydrology. They use the Internet to research topics and practice their researching skills.
Curated OER
13 Ways to Tell Time Backwards
Students explore different ways geological time can be measured: comparing the time dimensions for each method, the mechanisms of each method, and the materials used.
Curated OER
Why Don't Whales Have Legs?
Students are given a variety of materials and are asked to design a heat loss experiment that results in a reasonable explanation of "Why don't whales have legs?" students work with the theory of natural selection.
Curated OER
Sketch a Scientist
Students draw their perceptions of a typical scientist, evaluate stereotypes in their drawings quantitatively, and then discuss the origins of these stereotypes.
Curated OER
Date a Rock!
High schoolers figure the number of half-lives since the sample solidified, and therefore the "age" of the sample rocks.
Curated OER
Cladistics Is a Zip...Baggie
Students explore how the grouping of organisms based on their shared derived characters forms the basis of a cladogram.