Students explore animal behvior. Using Skinner boxes, they monitor and train rats to accomplish a set of tasks. They maintain a log of observations, task completions and data.

Young scholars explore how scientists study the genetic and environmental factors that interact to produce variation in behavior across a population.

Students act as chief research scientists with the responsibility of testing a new drug. Students design a controlled experiment to test a hypothetical experimental drug. Students write a clear, concise, and detailed plan to present to a...

Students discuss importance of American Chestnut tree, explore its value and uses, examine how it has almost become extinct, and identify ways certain groups are working to help regain American Chestnut tree population through breeding.

Students explore the mode of inheritance of chromosomes. Given a scenario, students use the Human Genome sheet to determine inherited chromosomes. They illustrate the difference between genotype and phenotype. Students develop a model...

Students identify and interpret how milk is processed and learn important concepts in food safety and quality assurance. They identify how milk is processed, the importance of food safety, and the quality assurance process. Students also...

Students learn the mechanics of vision. For this biology lesson plan, students discover the relationship of light to vision, how light moves, how that affects what we see, and some structural aspects of the eye.

Students study cold seeps and see how organisms obtain energy from methane.  In this sinkholes instructional activity students examine the relevance of chemosynthesis to communities. 

Students explore biology by creating a poster presentation. In this animal classification lesson, students utilize a SMART board and practice organizing a group of animal shapes by placing them with similar animal families. Students...

Students are introduced to the concept of evolution by natural selection from a historical standpoint. They examine the evidence and arguments that support the theory of natural selection.

Students compare and contrast the Big Bang Theory and the Cyclic Universe Model. They explain basic properties of the univers which make life possible. They evaluate ideas about the origin of the universe as to their scientific value.

Students investigate the development of the geologic time scale. Also, to introduce them to the major time periods in earth's history, as well as to the role fossils play in helping us understand this history.

Students examine the role of Purple Loosestrife in Illinois and Indiana rivers. In groups, they collect a wide variety of plants in a wetland and raise beetles in a controlled environment. They introduce the loosestrife into the...

Each of the three activities submitted presents difficult science topics in the context of the human experience. The activities focus on real-world problems, which have science components, from the students' perspectives.

Students learn about Earth's deep ocean discoveries and their benefits. In this ocean exploration instructional activity, students review previous explorations of the Earth's deep oceans and learn about the discoveries of the past.

Young scholars explore the different types of vertebrates found in their area. In this environmental science lesson plan, students perform a case study on the Common Raven. They analyze data collected from research and create charts and...

Young scholars compare and contrast the characteristics of plants and animals. In this ecology activity, students observe the outdoors and describe the relationship among different living things. They relate plant diversity with animal...

Students explore several examples of cardiovascular diseases. In this anatomy lesson, students explain why physical fitness is very important. They count their pulse rate and record them on a data table.

Students describe the characteristics of an ecotone. In this ecotone lesson, students pick out their area and describe the visual appearance, conditions, ecosystem, biodiversity, predators, prey, and trees in their ecotone. They create a...

Learners inspect the anatomy of earthworms. In this earthworm lesson, students participate in a hands-on experiment as they analyze the structure of earthworms. Learners demonstrate mastery through differentiated products. Lesson...

Student identify the basic human needs. In this life science lesson plan, 3rd graders compare the needs of plants, animals and humans. They apply what they have learned by playing a survival team game.

Students cross wild type flies and mutants, both purchased from a biological supply house (Carolina Biological Supply or Wards, for example) in groups from lesson one.

Students explore the effects of ultraviolet light on Lumbriculus. They expose ultraviolet light to Lumbriculus (worm) and determine the lethal exposure time. They examine the worm and record their observations.

Students design and produce an informational brochure on a specific disease (see attached list). They make copies and distribute to other students for a short presentation to class.