Water Quality Monitoring
Make an Environmental Connection You’ve probably seen it on a bumper sticker, “Think Globally, Act Locally.” Have you ever thought about how it might relate to the way we teach our students? Relating global concepts such as water quality and pollution to a local body of water through watershed assessment and water quality monitoring can […]
Dissection Buying Guide
Our guide includes specimen suggestions based on grade level and specimen complexity, needed dissection and safety supplies, and options for instructional materials. Choosing Your Specimen The simple chart below will help you decide which preserved specimens would be right for your classroom. To effectively use the grid, consider the experience level of your students and […]
How Green Fluorescent Protein Is Used in Research
From Jellyfish to the Bench Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is used in teaching biotechnology, genetics, and AP® Biology. What is the significance of this protein other than allowing students to create fluorescent green bacteria? Perhaps your students have seen news headlines about transgenic animals that fluoresce green under ultraviolet (UV) light because the gene for […]
Making Scents of the World
Nobel Prize-Winning Research My terrier, Harley, spends most of his life with his nose to the ground. The intensity of his olfactory surveillance makes me think that the world must smell entirely different to him than it does to me. Recent research on the molecular genetics of sensory receptors gives us a clue to Harley […]
Investigating Phenomena: How Do Earthworms Move?
Carolina Phenomenon Phenomena-driven science! Phenomena are observable, naturally occurring events that are everywhere and spark student questions and investigations. Ask students to observe the DCI-linked phenomenon in the video and complete the attached student sheet prior to remote learning discussions. Observations: Carefully watch the earthworm movement video. Gather all the evidence you can from the video, and […]
Kool-Aid® Chromatography
Chromatography is an important technique in the chemistry lab. This activity uses a popular beverage for a safe, engaging lab experience for students of all ages. Background What makes grape-flavored Kool-Aid® purple? Food dye, of course. Color additives are common in the foods on supermarket shelves. From foods and drinks to cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and toiletries, […]
The Fast Plant Life Cycle
Let Wisconsin Fast Plants® Grow on You! Wisconsin Fast Plants® are so captivating to watch as they grow and develop that even students who are tough to reach become engaged and attached to them. Time after time, I saw students I least expected to be interested in anything science come to my class during a […]
3-D Science Strategies That Motivate Learning at Every Level
Engaging, Equitable, Relevant “Until kids are motivated and engaged and curious, it’s very difficult to teach them.” Â That statement from Brett D. Moulding sums up the challenge teachers face as they return to classrooms following a year of uncertain, shifting learning environments. Moulding, a member of the National Research Council (NRC) Committee on a […]
Debunking the 4° C Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Myth
Myth:PCR product needs to be refrigerated if left overnight in the thermal cycler. Truth 1: DNA will be stable for days, even weeks, inside a PCR tube. Truth 2: Extended cold holds will reduce your PCR machine’s lifetime. Many scientists and other polymerase chain reaction (PCR) users believe samples need to be refrigerated immediately after […]
CSO Tips for Teachers: Time Requirements
Do you know the benefits of using Carolina Kits 3D labs on CSO? Set yourself up for success with these tips. Clear timetables Timing is everything, especially when planning a hands-on lab. You need to know how much time to allot for preparation and the expected student completion time for each activity. Every Carolina Kits […]