Hands-On Science with Phenomenal Critters
Workshop Resource Life Science K-12 Elementary / High School Add action and excitement to your science class with live organisms! Discover fun, simple hands-on activities with a variety of insects and arthropods that you can use in your labs. Learn about care and handling, as well as easy ways to introduce inquiry. Additional resources available […]
Introduction to Wisconsin Fast Plants®
Workshop Resource Life Science K-12 Elementary / High School Experience the versatility of Wisconsin Fast Plants®. These quick-growing plants engage students and are ideal for all grade levels. Easily integrate Disciplinary Core Ideas, Crosscutting Concepts, and Practices in life cycle, heredity & inheritance, variation & evolution, and environmental science lessons. Learn to plant, pollinate, and […]
Urban Heat Islands Effect on Global Temperature
A CAROLINA ESSENTIALS ACTIVITY Urban Heat Islands Effect on Global Temperature Total Time Prep: 20 mins | Activity: 45-60 mins Earth 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 As […]
Plants
Plants have changed our planet. Photosynthesis provides oxygen to the atmosphere, and plants are primary producers for the majority of animals. There is extreme diversity within the plant kingdom, from tiny aquatic plants to giant redwoods to the vegetables and grains that feed the world. This guide breaks down the important information students need to […]
Case Study: The Impact of Honeybee Populations
When preparing to teach your class about populations and the interdependence of organisms, consider incorporating the honeybee into your lesson plans. This small, undervalued insect is a keystone species in many environments. But we often overlook our dependence on honeybees’ survival, even while their interesting community behavior and the important ecosystem services they provide are […]
Investigating Phenomena: Why Do Fish Swim in Schools?
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 school of fish video. Gather all the evidence you can from […]
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 […]
How to Use Citizen Science in Your Educational Program
Science is everywhere! Here are 4 tips to help you incorporate outdoor learning in your summer or afterschool program. Looking for ways to get your curious middle schoolers outdoors? The Science Action Club (SAC) is a series of three classroom kits–Bird Scouts, Bug Safari, and Cloud Quest–that inspire wonder about the natural world and foster […]
Plant Biodiversity Field Activity
Take your class outdoors to study biodiversity. What is biodiversity?? Simply stated, biodiversity is the number and variety of organisms within a particular geographic area. In this activity, students go outdoors and sample the biodiversity of plant species in natural and cultivated areas. Then they compare the biodiversity of plants in the natural areas to […]
Earth and Space Sciences in All Science Courses
Earth and space science concepts can be incorporated into biology, chemistry, and physics. What are Earth and space sciences? Earth and space sciences, an interdisciplinary course of study, applies the principles of physics, chemistry, and biology to explain observed interactions among Earth’s four primary systems–the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere–while recognizing Earth’s place in space […]