Students demonstrate safe ways to handle bacteria, prepare agar plates, and grow bacterial cultures. They identify different kinds of bacterial colonies, and devise a controlled experiment.

Students explore how to extract plant fibers from the flax plant Linum usitatissimum in the process of making linen fibers. Doing so spark interest in the importance of microbial action on the spread of human culture and civilization.

Around half of the states in the US ban first cousin marriage, but does science support that ban? Scholars work through genetic analysis of the risks to understand if more states should ban the practice—or if some should remove it. They...

Explore the historic and cultural context of the foundations of the United States of America. They identify the political and scientific contributions of early American scientists.

Learners examine where, why, how and in what conditions HIV/AIDS exists. They examine the deadly impact this virus has had on the world and look at how to prevent the spread at home. The students also develop a greater awareness of the...

Many historical innovations were created for the common good. Get your students ready for life as a critical thinker with this instructional activity which defines the differences between innovation and invention. They will conduct...

Excavating cake? Why not! Kids spoon into some layers and artifacts during this tasty hands-on activity. The cake, a simulated archaeological dig, is the object of observation and discussion.

Help young researchers find credible sources online. Modeling with a Google search for information about Shakespeare’s Macbeth, use a computer projector or Smart Board to show class members how weak the top three search results are....

Ninth graders research, analyze, and orally defend an issue related to the use of geologic resources. They defend their position in written form by composing a letter to an appropriate source.

"Scientist Stereotypes" could be another name for this lesson! Begin by drawing from middle schoolers' preconceived notions and media portrayal of scientists, and then explain that anyone can be a scientist. Even though there is an...

Young scholars examine the recent partial face transplant in Ameiens, France and the ensuing public debate on extreme plastic surgery. They participate in a fishbowl discussion on the ethics and implications of future face transplants.

Learners study evolutionary thought. They examine how characteristics are inherited and that they are a source of variation. They illustrate the perpetuation, elimination, and variation made among members of a species. They determine...

Eighth graders explore the characteristics of living things. In this living things lesson plan, 8th graders review as a class the cell theory and the characteristics of living things. They answer questions about how to determine if...

Students investigate types of trees. In this forestry lesson, students read the book The Mighty Oak and act out the story with a partner. Students discuss the types of trees in the book and plant an oak tree on school grounds.

Young scholars simulate the growth of human population. In this biology lesson, students explore different perspectives on this issue. They write a reflection at the end of the activity.

Tenth graders identify the consequences of human population growth. In this biology lesson, 10th graders debate on whether overpopulation or overuse of resources is more harmful to humans. They write a reflection at the end of the...