What did the sea say to the boat? Nothing, it just waved. An inquiry-based lesson starts with a simple concept on the Archimedes Principle and challenges pupils to make something out of clay that floats. Then, they design...

Here's a fun way to incorporate technology into your curriculum. E-mail each of your class members a picture and 10 questions about the photo. Individuals then imagine the story behind the image and e-mail back their responses. Although...

Students form logical foundations for analysis of observations. They improve analytic reading abilities through practice. Students investigate the foundations of scientific thought processes and how to apply them.

Students investigate the characteristics of different soil samples. In this physical science lesson, students play the role of forensics solving a crime by matching soil from the suspect's shoes. They formulate a conclusion after testing...

Young programmers investigate the Single Source Shortest Path problem by working in paris to devise their own algorithm. They then progress to using Dijkstra's Algorithm to solve the problem. 

The activity really comes to life within its intended unit on starting a rain garden. Working in groups, participants research native plants and coordinate them with the conditions in the designated garden area. Give the class access to...

Can we find the phenotypes and genotypes of magical ability for the characters in Harry Potter? Of course, but first we need to understand incomplete or blended dominance, co-dominance, multiple alleles, and regulatory genes. This...

Did you see that or did I imagine it? Optical illusions are often created with mirrors and lenses, and here is a presentation that covers many different types of mirrors and lenses and how they work. Flat, concave, and convex mirrors, as...

When will a wind farm pay for itself? Individuals calculate the anticipated annual revenue for two proposed wind farms. By comparing the number of years it takes to pay back the initial investment, they determine which site makes the...

Why do sprinters wear spiked shoes? Scholars explore various styles of shoes and how they handle forces when running. Scholars adjust variables including shoe type, horizontal force, surface type, and normal force to determine which...

Are some mutations more damaging than others? An engaging simulation encourages scholars to alter DNA through insertion, deletion, and substitution. It then forms resulting amino acids—or not—and the resulting protein—or not—depending on...

Drinking straws are a pretty simple device ... or, are they? Explore the possibility of sipping a beverage 30 feet away with an engaging activity that's sure to keep pupils guessing. Just place a long piece of plastic tubing in a glass,...

In chemistry, the mole is a unit of measurement, much like a millimeter or liter. After learning about moles, scholars learn various equations relating to mass, volume, and concentration. They review each of these equations in a few...

No chemistry lab? No problem! Scholars use a virtual lab to determine the solubility product of four different chemicals. They then use the results of their experiments to see if higher solubility product values equal greater solubility.

Pupils learn about both male and female anatomy before understanding how they work together to make a baby. Scholars discover new vocabulary, create a presentation on fertilization, and discuss related topics.

What happens when the top predator on an ecosystem disappears? Scholars explore this idea through an introduction example and four case studies. They learn to analyze the importance of every member in a food pyramid to come to their...

People associate calories with food, but what is a calorie? Young scientists measure the number of calories in samples of food to better understand the concept. They test a variety of samples, take measurements, and compare their results...

Why do we sweat? Scholars analyze data about body temperature, sweating, and other factors to better understand sweating. They note the changes after drinking ice water to sweating, skin temperature, and body temperature. Analysis...

Young scientists explore hearing through multiple experiments, demonstrations, and activities. They focus on the changes in hearing over a lifetime, how we can determine where a sound is coming from, and the ability to filter noises.

Not all fat is bad—eating good fats actually helps with weight loss. Learn how the body uses fat through a 27-slide presentation that breaks down the path fat takes from entering to exiting the body. Understanding why fat is helpful and...

How do police determine the speed of a car that has hit a stopped vehicle? Scholars determine the momentum of the car system both before and after a collision. They identify instances where the law of conservation of momentum appears to...

Should people take vitamins or get the needed minerals through diet? Experts disagree based on many different factors. Scholars compare study findings and discuss the differences. They learn the importance of comparing results across...

DNA writes 64 different words but only codes for 20 different amino acids. Budding scientists learn about where each of these numbers come from and why they aren't equal with an online interactive. The resource explains the research, the...

One of the first models of DNA appeared to be a triple helix. Young scientists learn about the many scientists who worked to find the shape of DNA. They observe multiple models, tests, and experiments to understand the conclusions. An...