Phenology: Spring Leaf Index
A Carolina EssentialsTM Activity Total Time: 45-60 MIN Prep: 15 | Activity: 30-45 Life Science 9-12 High School Overview The study of related events, particularly between plants and animals that occur on a predictable or periodic cycle, is called phenology. Phenology studies are crucial to determining disruptions in environmental relationships as climate patterns shift, and phenology […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 SolÃÂs-Lemus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison demonstrate and discuss how to support learners in identifying […]
Butterfly Necklace
In Booth Demo Life Science K-12 Elementary / High School Students gain an understanding of the life cycle of the painted lady butterfly. They observe the growth and development of a larva in the butterfly necklace, a miniature habitat in which the larva eats, grows, molts, and forms a chrysalis. Then, they transfer the chrysalis […]
Carolina Genetic Corn: Seeds to Finished Product
Think about all the varieties of corn you’ve encountered—yellow corn, white corn, red corn, blue corn, and the thousands of products that contain corn. Have you thought about using corn to teach genetics? It’s the perfect, easy-to-use specimen. There’s no downtime waiting for plants to grow; offspring data are easy to obtain simply by counting […]
Real Data for Explaining Climate Change and Modeling Inheritance Patterns
Workshop Resource Life Science 6-12 Middle / High School  Data analysis provides evidence for posing scientific arguments and generating models. Tree ring and WFP data are collected then used to make arguments about climate change and inheritance patterns during this workshop. Analysis of tree ring data as indirect evidence about how the climate of a […]
Hands-On Activities to Model Sampling, Habitat Degradation, and Animal Choice
Workshop Resource Life Science 6-12 Middle / High School Nurture students’ curiosity! Investigate methods used by scientists to estimate population sizes. Then create a terrestrial model to observe how pill bugs respond to habitat degradation. Use inquiry to develop experiments to observe the habitat preference of bess beetles and millipedes. Let the excitement in your […]