Use Bubbles—Observe Wind Speed and Direction: Ask a Question and Plan an Experiment
A CAROLINA ACTIVITY Total Time Prep Time: 10 min Class Time: 45 min Earth and Space Science Students: Groups of 2 Grade Level K-5 Elementary School Asking Questions and Defining Problems Planning and Carrying Out Investigations Varies by grade. See Performance Expectations below. · Cause and Effect · Energy and Matter Introduction In this […]
Observing Plant Cells
CAROLINA LABSHEETS Quick Links Close Quick Links Open Quick Links Overview Materials Procedures & Prep Kit Overview Materials Procedures & Prep Kit Overview In this lab students observe Elodea leaves under magnification. They will see cell walls and chloroplasts. From the movement of chloroplasts they will infer that cyclosis, or protoplasmic streaming, is occurring. They also will […]
Introduction to Photosynthesis Using Coleus Plants
Carolina LabSheets™ Overview The simple exercises that students perform in this lab demonstrate that plants produce glucose through photosynthesis, that plants convert at least some of the glucose to starch, and that sunlight is a critical factor in photosynthesis. Students expose Coleus leaves to varying amounts of light. These sample leaves are then subjected to an iodine […]
The Ups and Downs of Weather
A Carolina EssentialsTM Demonstration Total Time: 10-30 mins Prep: 10-30 mins Earth and Space Science 6-12 Middle/High School Overview Three concepts are paramount to understanding weather basics: temperature, pressure, and the Coriolis effect. Air temperature and pressure affect the density of an air mass. Differences in density set up convection currents that move air both […]
Invertebrate Biodiversity and Abiotic Factors
A Carolina EssentialsTM Investigation Total Time: 4+ days Prep: 30 mins | Activity: 4+ days Life Science | Earth Science 9-12 High School Overview Understanding the relationships between biotic diversity and abiotic factors in an ecosystem can be a difficult task. Using soil invertebrates, students can identify both the number of species present in a […]
Water Quality Awareness
A CAROLINA ESSENTIALS ACTIVITY What is the current state of the global water supply? Total Time Prep: 15 mins Activity: 15 mins Life Science, Environmental Science Grade Level 6-12 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 […]
An Inquiry into Seed Germination
A CAROLINA ESSENTIALS INVESTIGATION Total Time Prep: 15-20 mins Activity: 40 mins Life Science | Environmental Science Grade Level 6-10 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 This NGSS-aligned activity is a student […]
Schoolyard Field Study
Introduction It’s the end of the school year. The weather is nice and your students are cranky. Some of the standardized tests are behind you, but you still have a week or so of school left. How can you make the most of this time while allowing your students to enjoy the outdoors? This activity […]
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 […]
Photosynthesis
A Carolina EssentialsTM Activity Total Time: 50-60 MIN Prep: 30 | Activity: 20-30 Life Science 9-12 High School Overview This investigation is a visual way to introduce students to photosynthesis. As Elodea uses carbon dioxide from the initial solution, a change in pH occurs, causing a color change in the solution. The change is detectable in as […]