The Great American Eclipse of 2023-2024

Newton’s law of cooling states that the rate at which an object cools is proportional to the difference in temperature between the object and the object’s surroundings. Simply put, a glass of hot water will cool down faster in a cold room than in a hot room. This simple principle is relatively easy to prove, and the experiment has repeatable and reproducible results.
The Rock Cycle and Earth Processes

A CAROLINA ESSENTIALS INVESTIGATION Total Time Prep: 30 mins Activity: 30-45 mins Earth and Space Science Grade Level 6-8 Middle 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 This is an introductory activity that relates […]
Clean Up Your Mess! Air and Water Pollution Remediation

Workshop Resources Life Science 6-12 Middle / High School Pollution remediation is a messy but necessary business. Experience hands-on environmental science activities that model the techniques used to clean up pollution. Depending on instructional objectives, qualitative observations or quantitative measurements may be made. Download Presentation Download Handouts Buy The Kit
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and the Greening of the Planet

A Carolina EssentialsTM Activity Total Time: 45-60 MIN Prep: 15 | Activity: 30-45 Earth and Space Science 9-12 High School Overview Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels have been changing globally since about 1785. Ice core samples indicate that prior to the late 1700s, CO2Â levels were around 280 parts per million (ppm). In 1885, CO2Â levels peaked […]
Talking Allowed! Using Science Discourse for Equity

Workshop Resources Earth and Space Science 6-8 Middle School Why is science discourse important? How does it impact improving equity in a science classroom? How do teachers implement this strategy? Learn the answers to these and other questions as you explore engaging (STCMS) lessons from the Smithsonian. Download Presentation Download Handouts Other STCMS Resources
Exploring OpenSciEd from Carolina

Workshop Resources Earth and Space Science 6-8 Middle School Experience the pedagogy of OpenSciEd for middle school by engaging in a model lesson from the new Carolina Certified Version. In this workshop, teachers will experience the four elements of the anchoring phenomenon routine. Teachers will experience firsthand how the anchoring phenomenon routine motivates students to […]
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 […]
Photosynthesis Modeling with Pop Beads

While studying photosynthesis, students can have difficulty understanding how the carbon in CO2Â becomes the carbon in glucose (6H2O + 6CO2?C6H12O6Â + 6O2). To clarify this concept, have your students create a basic diagram of the Calvin cycle by drawing a large circle on a piece of white drawing paper and dividing the circle into thirds. Use […]
Teaching the Calvin Cycle

The Calvin cycle of photosynthesis can be difficult to teach and to learn when presented only as a relentless sequence of complex reactions. Two ways to make the abstract subject easier to grasp are to help your students keep the big picture in view throughout the discussion and to have them use models for the […]
Photosynthesis and Floating Leaf Disks

If you have never tried the leaf disk assay, you are missing out on one of the best photosynthesis labs available. Here’s how to do it. The equipment and supplies needed are inexpensive, simple, and readily available. Materials Syringes, 5 cc or Larger Desk Lamps with 18- to 23-W Fluorescent or LED Bulbs Plastic Straws […]