Hands-on Plus! Driving Student Centered Learning with Smithsonian Science for the Classroom™
Workshop Resources Physical Science K-5 Elementary School We believe students should engage with authentic STEM experiences both in and out of school. Through the lens of Smithsonian Science for the Classroom™, this workshop demonstrated how hands-on learning both provides STEM experiences for students and meets the expectations set by the Next Generation Science Standards. Download […]
Crosscutting Concepts: Using a Familiar Perspective to Understand Your World
Workshop Resources Life Science K-5 Elementary School How do crosscutting concepts link the ideas and practices of science across different domains and over time? We will show you practical examples to see how crosscutting concepts provide a foundation for student sensemaking of phenomena and problems. 1. Defining the 7 Crosscutting Concepts 2. Learn strategies to […]
CTE Forensics Buying Guide
CTE Forensic Buying Guide Equipping your CTE classroom for courses within the Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security career cluster—such as forensic science, criminal justice, or criminalistics—can be a challenge. Our guide identifies all of the kits and materials needed to teach a comprehensive forensics CTE course along with equipment suggestions and free lessons that […]
Decomposition by Physarum polycephalum
A Carolina EssentialsTM Activity Total Time: 2.75 hr Prep: 1.5 | Activity: 1.25 Life Science 9-12 High School Total Time: 2.75 hr [ Prep: 1.5 hrs | Activity: 1.25 hrs ] Subject: Life Science Grade: High School Introduction This observational microbiology activity introduces students to a slime mold from the genus Physarum, a decomposer found […]
Owl Pellet Food Webs: A Model of Energy and Mass Transfer
A CAROLINA ESSENTIALS INVESTIGATION Total Time Prep: 15 mins Activity: 30-45 mins Life Science Grade Level 5-12 Middle/High School Quick Links Close Quick Links Open Quick Links Introduction Essential Question NGSS Materials Procedures Analysis Kit Resources Introduction Essential Question NGSS Materials Procedures Analysis Kit Resources Introduction You can use this resource as a stand-alone activity […]
Invasion! Invasive Species Activity
Introduced species (also known as alien, nonnative, nonindigenous, or exotic species) are organisms that have been either accidentally or intentionally brought into an ecosystem in which they were not formerly found. The introduction of an organism may be beneficial, have no effect, or have a negative impact on the ecosystem into which it is released. […]
Urban Stream Syndrome
Purpose, goal, and standards This activity examines urban stream syndrome and how urbanization affects stream banks. Urban streams often have issues with both physical structure and chemical composition. While this activity focuses on the physical changes, the chemical changes can be more important to the overall health of the stream. Even if a stream exhibits […]
Water: A Liquid That Can Take the Heat
Water is an amazing liquid. Not only is it the main solvent of cellular protoplasm, it also helps moderate climates with its high heat capacity. Water absorbs a large quantity of heat and slowly releases it over a period of time. This is the reason coastal climates are more moderate than climates farther inland. Water’s […]
Petri Dish Electrolysis Activity
Petri dish electrolysis is a simple, colorful way to introduce or wrap up many topics in chemistry. Use this activity to introduce reduction-oxidation reactions and electrochemistry. When using it at the beginning of a lesson, you can learn what students already know, while using it at the end can highlight their learning. Student misconception: Electrolytic cells […]
Webinar: Student-Designed Ecosystem Experiments in Middle Grades
Student-designed investigations that use Wisconsin Fast Plants® to study ecosystems are powerful, three-dimensional learning experiences. In this webinar, we share a ready-to-teach, hands-on approach for upper elementary or middle school students to investigate ecosystem interactions. Hedi Baxter Lauffer and Claudia SolÃs-Lemus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison demonstrate and discuss how to support learners in identifying […]