Curated OER
Designer Agriculture
Students investigate the controversial issue of genetic engineering. They research the pros and cons of such technology and apply it to creating new plants or crops for the area of Alaska. Students think of new types of animals and draw...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Driver’s Licenses And Unauthorized Immigrants
Should driver's licenses be granted to unauthorized immigrants? That is the question class members grapple with in a lesson that asks them to first read a fact sheet that details the arguments for and against licensing unauthorized...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Refugees: International Law and U.S. Policy
Discover the ways America has opened its borders to international refugees, and the ways other countries have been more or less welcoming, with an informational passage about United States and international policies on refugees. After...
Curated OER
How Do We Balance Environmental Conservation with Human Needs?
Students role play a meeting between conservation biologists and local representatives who want to advance the livelihood of local population. In this history lesson, students research the necessities and conservation issues of given...
Curated OER
The Race for the Double Helix
Students participate in an ethics-based simulation. In this ethics lesson plan, students role play research scientists working to decipher a code. Students work in small collaborative groups and must interact with other small groups to...
Curated OER
What's New With Dinosaurs?
Students examine how scientists are at odds on whether or not dinosaurs were warm or cold blooded. In this dinosaurs lesson students divide into groups and research the evidence that supports each side.
Curated OER
Wild About Wildfires
Young scholars conduct a debate. In this wildfire and controlled burning lesson, students watch the video "Legacy of Fire" and discuss the topic of wildland fires and controlled burns. Half of the class researches the arguments for these...
Curated OER
SeaWorld: Education, Entertainment, or Exploitation?
Learners discuss SeaWorld, research marine animal biology, investigate one animal currently collected by SeaWorld, and decide whether they oppose or support SeaWorld's collection policy. Students then gather information relating to...
Curated OER
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Fifth graders enjoy learning more about animals and their habitats as they explore the Internet sites in these Student Activities based on the main characters in Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of NIMH.
Curated OER
Dietary Supplements and the Chemistry of Life
Students study the effects of dietary supplements on bodily functions. In this health lesson plan students calculate their caloric needs and research dietary supplements.
Curated OER
Renewable Energy Sources
Place learners into groups to research and present different renewable energy sources. As individuals listen to the class presentations, they take notes and then write a persuasive article defending the form of energy that they feel...
Personal Genetics Education Project
Genetics, history and the American Eugenics Movement
A poignant 20-slide show introduces high schoolers to the amazing accomplishments of genomics and raises the question of eugenics. This instructional activity is only for mature audiences, as it deals with rape and other sensitive...
Curated OER
Stem Cell Research
Young scholars examine embryonic cell research and the controversy that surrounds it. In this stem cell lesson students use a debate model and present and defend their positions.
Curated OER
Lone Wolves
Students examine the reasons why some people do not support the protection of the wolf on the Endangered Species list. After reading an article, they discuss the controversy of delisting the wolves. As a class, they debate this issue...
Curated OER
Fidel Castro: El Comandante
Students view a documentary on Fidel Castro. After nearly forty years of rule, he remains one of the most controversial political figures of the twentieth century. After viewing, students discuss what they saw and research the Cuban...
Curated OER
911 As History
Learners recognize persuasive techniques, think criticaly about the messages contained in various media, and discuss controversial issues in constructive ways. They analyze the deeper messages contained in children's literature, and...
Curated OER
History: I'm Watching You 24/7
Students examine the growth of authoritarian societies. Focusing on North Korea, they watch video clips looking for examples of totalitarianism and identify the problems there. They write letters to the editors of local newspapers...
Curated OER
Biotechnology: Monster or Miracle
Students explore biotechnology. For this scenario-based lesson, students take a survey on what they know about genetic engineering, view a PowerPoint, and conduct a web quest. Students will then be placed in groups, and produce one of...
Curated OER
Lesson 5, What Kind of Research Should Our Government Support?
Learners examine research ethics. In this scientific research ethics lesson, students examine hypothetical research scenarios and determine which proposals should be funded with tax dollars.
Curated OER
Handling Discrepancies
Eleventh graders study the different ways students handle discrepancies. In this Physics lesson, 11th graders perform a laboratory experiment with resistors. Students discuss the ethical issues it raises.
Curated OER
Harvesting of Trees: Library Media Center Resources
Students research harvesting of trees in the United States and write a summary. In this informative lesson students state whether they agree or disagree with an article and write a summary on why.
Curated OER
Difficult Decisions: The Sakinaw Sockeye Case Study
Eighth graders examine Sakinaw Sockeye as species at risk, participate in role playing exercise to consider different perspectives of various interest groups, and try to come to consensus on how to deal with dwindling Sakinaw sockeye...
Curated OER
Decision Making and Bioethics
Students demonstrate an ability to apply their knowledge of genetic engineering. They use decision making strategies to recommend a decision concerning the future use of genetic engineering in humans.
Curated OER
Fossil Fuels vs. Alternative Fueling Systems
Fourth graders brainstorm the differences between the fossil fuels that people use in their transportation now and what they could use to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. They use a variety of techniques from webquests to writing...