Carbon Snake
A Carolina EssentialsTM Demonstration Total Time: 15 mins Prep: 15 mins | Activity: 10-15 mins Life Science 8-12 Middle/High School Overview During this teacher-directed demonstration of an exothermic reaction, students observe the dehydration of a carbohydrate using concentrated sulfuric acid. Use the demonstration to illustrate topics such as reaction kinetics, organic reaction types, and energy […]
Calorimetry: Measuring the Energy in Foods
A Carolina EssentialsTM Activity Total Time: 65-90 mins Prep: 20-30 mins | Activity: 45-60 mins Life Science 9-12 High School Overview During this investigation, students will determine the calories—or heat content—of 3 different foods. From the experiment setup and data collected, students will have the evidence necessary to construct a model of heat transferred through […]
Constructing and Testing a Dichotomous Key Model for Fruit
A CAROLINA ESSENTIALS INVESTIGATION Total Time Prep: 30 mins Activity: 30-45 mins Life Science Grade Level 6-10 Middle/High School Quick Links Close Quick Links Open Quick Links Overview Essential Question NGSS Materials Procedures Analysis Kit Overview Essential Question NGSS Materials Procedures Analysis Kit Overview This investigation requires students to create and test a model for […]
Ocular Dominance
A Carolina EssentialsTM Activity Total Time: 15-30 mins Prep: 15 mins | Activity: 15-30 mins Life Science 8-12 Middle/High School Overview This short, individual engagement activity introduces the senses, sensation and perception, and evolutionary differences in predator-prey relationships. Students differentiate binocular vison and panoramic vision, determine their own ocular dominance, calculate class data percentages, and […]
Equilibrium and Milk of Magnesia Rainbow
A Carolina EssentialsTM Demonstration Total Time: 15-20 mins Prep: 20 mins | Activity: 15-20 mins Chemistry 9-12 High School Overview This demonstration shows a colorful reaction that is a good introduction to Le Châtelier’s principle, solubility, stoichiometry, neutralization reactions, and reaction rates. The demonstration uses readily available chemicals, is easy to set up and perform, […]
Reaction Time and Practice
A Carolina EssentialsTM Activity Total Time: 15-20 mins Prep: 10 mins | Activity: 15-20 mins Life Science 6-12 Middle/High School Overview Use this short, engaging activity to introduce students to reflexes and reactions, the nervous system, or learning theory. Students work in pairs on 2 different sorting tasks and time their successive attempts. Data can […]
Thermochemistry: An Endothermic Reaction
A Carolina EssentialsTM Demonstration Total Time: 10 mins Prep: 15 mins | Activity: 10 mins Physical Science 6-12 Middle/High School Overview In this thermochemistry demonstration, students observe an extreme, spontaneous endothermic reaction between 2 solid compounds, measure changes in temperature, and make observations. The demonstration may be used with physical science or chemistry students as […]
A Model for Heat Capacity of Metals
A Carolina EssentialsTM Activity Total Time: 60-70 mins Prep: 15 mins | Activity: 45-55 mins Physical Science | Chemistry 9-12 High School Overview This simple activity models how kinetic energy is transformed into heat or thermal energy on the particle level. Additionally, by comparing data for 3 different metals—aluminum, copper, and lead—students construct a model […]
Using Algae Beads as a Model for Photosynthesis
A Carolina EssentialsTM Activity Total Time: 45 mins Prep: 30 mins | Activity: 45 mins Life Science 8-12 Middle/High School Overview Students are introduced to photosynthesis in a hands-on activity with fresh water algae. By creating algae beads (made of algae and sodium alginate solution), they indirectly observe the change in concentration of oxygen in […]
Pill Bug Behavior Choices
A Carolina EssentialsTM Investigation Total Time: Ihr 30mins Prep: 1hr 30 mins | Activity: 45mins Life 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 […]