Did you know that sugar stimulates the same areas of the brain as cocaine and heroin? As part of a biology playlist, the thought-provoking video discusses if sugar should be considered a drug. It talks about our need for sugar, our...

It is possible to generate electricity by squeezing a single sugar crystal. A short video explains how this is possible and the way this knowledge has changed our society. From sonar devices to renewable energy, generations rely on this...

Milk does a body good ... unless, of course, someone is lactose intolerant. Pupils play the role of pharmaceutical scientists in a guided inquiry lab about lactase. Lab groups collaborate to learn more about lactose intolerance, how...

Now that's sour! Did you know lemons contain more sugar than strawberries? Here is a resource that helps pupils explore sugar, where it comes from, different types, why organisms need it, and how much we ingest. 

Ionic bonds form from electrostatic energy, allowing for higher conductivity than those seen in covalent bonds. In the simulation, learners add sugar and salt to water and see the effects on concentration and conductivity of their...

Did you know that if you wait long enough, the M on the outside of an M and M will float to the surface when submerged in water? Learners observe the sugar coating of an M and M while it is dissolving in water. They explain how this...

How do plants and animals get their food? Learn about where energy comes from, how animals store energy, and aerobic respiration, in a lesson that allows scholars to diagram energy flows. 

Pupils make observations while eating food. They act out the process of food breaking down in the body and the roles of various chemical components, such as sugar and protein. It concludes with an activity illustrating the process and a...

Should city government be allowed to limit the size of sugary drinks? Class members read and analyze an article from the Huffington Post examining former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposed soda ban in 2014.

From examining how much sugar is in foods and looking at fruit and vegetable varieties to making mini rainbow tarts, this unit provides youngsters with a fabulous overview of proper nutrition and eating habits.

Attention, sugar addicts! Here's why you can't quit the habit. Sweet taste receptors send a signal to the brain, which activates a reward system that responds by telling you to eat again. Over activating this reward system results in a...

I'm sure you've heard that there are something like 20 tablespoons of sugar in a can of regular soda. It seems unbelievable, doesn't it? This demonstration really does show how much sugar is present in a can of soda. First, Spangler...

In session one, demonstrate for your class how a flame eventually goes out when enclosed in a jar in order to teach that oxygen is required for combustion. In session two, class members then burn sugar in a spoon to observe how it...

I'm sure you've heard that there are something like 20 tablespoons of sugar in a can of regular soda. It seems unbelievable, doesn't it? This demonstration really does show how much sugar is present in a can of soda. First, Spangler...

After an explanatory introduction to sugars and enzyme activity, biochemists discover whether lactase is needed to digest lactose, sucrose, and milk as a whole. High school science lab skills are required for these investigations.

This resource is designed to be used as a lab sheet when experimenting with the dissolution of sugar in water. It's very nice in that it follows the scientific method of experimentation. There are places for the definition of the...

After learning why it is important to limit salt, fat, and sugar in their diets, divide your class into pairs or groups to complete this project. Each group will create two charts: unhealthy and healthy foods. They will cut out food...

New ReviewWith the help of two activities, scholars discover what's in their favorite foods by reading nutrition labels. Activity one challenges participants to write a letter to a fictional peer about the importance of making healthy choices....

Snacks—even the word can conger up a hunger. Rapidly growing teens, especially, rely on snacks to get them from one meal to the next. After reading a series of articles about nutrition and healthy snack choices, pupils fill out a report...

Check the label! That's the big idea in a lesson about using the nutrition facts on food labels rather than advertising hype to make healthy choices about what to eat. After reading background articles and learning how to read nutrition...

Photosynthesis seems nothing short of magic: a little carbon dioxide and water, add energy, and poof, you get food! A thorough, collaborative lesson plan teaches youth the process of photosynthesis thanks to a skit they perform with a...

See firsthand the work plants do to move nutrients through their systems with a instructional activity that demonstrates the role of the xylem and phloem in plants. Young scientists observe celery move colored water through its stem to...

Have you ever wondered why some people are lactose intolerant? Participants test simulated patients in a hands-on lab activity to find out! They learn about lactose intolerance by performing an experiment, analyzing data, and drawing...