Beyond Benign
Electron Transitions
Ready for a lab with a lot of razzle-dazzle? Young chemists observe flame tests of common salts through an always-popular activity. The updated resource focuses on observation skills, collaboration, and green chemistry practices.
Rice University
College Physics for AP® Courses
Take a look at an organized physics course. The 34-section electronic textbook covers material in AP® Physics 1 and 2. Teachers use the text to supplement lectures and have the class work through the labs. Each section contains multiple...
Rice University
Biology for AP® Courses
An eight-unit electronic textbook provides a guide to AP® Biology. Each of the 28 chapters include an introduction, multiple lessons, a summary, review questions, and test prep questions. Teachers see how each lesson connects to a big...
National Academy of Sciences
Global Warming: Facts and Our Future
According to the United Nations, climate change affects every country on the planet. This research project encourages scholars to explore the factors that affect climate change from different perspectives: climate scientist, policy...
Cornell University
Shedding a "Little" Light on Cancer Surgery
Many types of cancer treatments now depend on nanotechnology—a big "little" discovery. Scholars begin by removing "malignant" tissue from simulated brains, one using fluorescent markers thanks to nanotechnology and one without. This...
College Board
AP Physics 1 and 2 Inquiry-Based Lab Investigations
Have you ever wondered what type of AP Physics investigations The College Board wants? This is the guide for you! Sixteen labs covering both Physics I and II will get you started and inspire you to meet the requirement of 25 percent of...
Beyond Benign
Green Chemistry, Biomimicry and Intermolecular Forces
Did you know plywood was invented around 3500 B.C.? It was also featured as something new and unusual at the 1905 World's Fair. Scholars complete an experiment with various types of adhesive. Then they read three case studies and answer...
Beyond Benign
Recycling Polylactic Acid
Show your class how to recycle during this simulation with polylactic acid. Pupils use a plastic cup, made of PLA, and convert it into a cleaning solution. They conclude the activity by using the newly made cleaning solution to...
Beyond Benign
Flame Tests and Emission Spectra
Identify elements based on the color that they burn! Learners observe flames of various elements. Using diffraction film or a spectroscope, they assign a name to each.
American Institute of Physics
Women and the Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was a massive undertaking involving multiple sites and thousands of scientists and technicians. To gain an understanding of the women who participated in the project, groups select an oral history of a woman...
Teach Engineering
Viscoelasticity
Stretch one's mind about viscoelastic materials. Future engineers learn about viscoelastic materials and how they differ from solids and fluids. They discover how the molecular structures of the materials relate to their properties,...
Bonneville
Macro-Scale Solar
There's no substitute for the power of the sun. The second of four installments of the Solar Resources Assessment unit looks at macro-scale photovoltaic (PV) technology. Future scientists first learn about PV modules with a PowerPoint...
Bonneville
Introduction to the Photovoltaic Effect
Let a video light the way to a better understanding of solar energy. Scholars first learn vocabulary terms related to the photovoltaic effect, solar cells, and electricity. They then watch a video to learn why silicon is often used as a...
Bonneville
Unique Solar Cell Engineering Report
Highlight a unique solar cell with a report and a poster. Scholars complete the ongoing solar cells project by writing an engineering report in the last of 14 lessons in the Cost Effective Solar Cells unit. They also create research...
Bonneville
Construction Progress and Obstacles
Overcoming obstacles is how one grows. In groups, scholars discuss their progress in constructing their solar cells and talk about any obstacles they may be encountering. They first work in heterogeneous groups to see different types of...
Bonneville
Unique Solar Cell Construction and Testing
It's finally time to build. The 12th of 14 installments in the Cost Effective Solar Cells unit has future scientists construct their unique solar cells. They then test out the devices in various conditions and record the results.
Bonneville
Unique Solar Cell Model Sketch and Presentation
There's always room for improvement. Continuing from the previous lesson, learners first create a two- or three-dimensional model of their solar cell designs. They then give short presentations to the rest of the class and receive...
Bonneville
Researching Chemicals and Materials for Solar Cell Construction
Revolutionize the solar cell industry with a new design. The 10th of 14 lessons in the Cost Effective Solar Cells unit has pupils start a project in which they design a unique solar cell. They receive an introduction to the project,...
Bonneville
Solar Cell Manufacturing Field Trip and/or Guest Speaker
Appreciate the chance to get out of the classroom. Scholars take a field trip to a solar cell or solar panel facility to learn about the manufacturing aspect of the business. They also hear from a guest speaker and ask questions about...
Bonneville
Titanium Dioxide Raspberry Solar Cell Data Sharing
Concerned about how well others did on the experiment? Scholars share results from the titanium dioxide raspberry solar cell test they performed in the previous instructional activity. After analyzing the data, they come up with a claim...
Bonneville
Titanium Dioxide Solar Cell Construction and Testing
There's raspberry juice in solar cells!? Scholars create and test a titanium dioxide raspberry solar cell in the seventh of 14 lessons in the Cost Effective Solar Cells unit. They coat glass slides with titanium dioxide to make their...
Bonneville
Copper Oxide Cell Data Sharing
Sharing is caring—and good for learning, too. Learners share data from the experiment in the previous lesson by engaging in a gallery walk. They then consider and discuss the conditions under which a solar cell will have its maximum...
Bonneville
Copper Oxide Solar Cell Construction and Testing
Who knew some pieces of copper and some saltwater would be enough to generate electricity? The fifth of 14 lessons in the Cost Effective Solar Cells unit challenges scholars to create a solar cell. They take two copper sheets, use a hot...
Bonneville
Solar Panel Data Sharing
It's important to share—especially in science. Pupils share the data on voltage, current, and resistance they recorded when they built circuits with solar cells in a previous activity. They discuss the results with the class and consider...