National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
Bad Fish, Bad Bird
In an advanced biology lesson, learners see a PowerPoint about biologist Dr. Westwood, a two-time victim of poisoning. Designed to be used with clickers in the classroom, you could modify the lesson by creating a worksheet from the...
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
To Boldly Go, or Not
Here is a different way to combine social studies and science. Have your high schoolers read a passage about the 2004 vision for space exploration and then discuss the practicality, costs, and reasons for returning to the moon. Then, the...
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Lost in Space
Here is a case study for high school or college-level learners about space exploration equipment that has failed. The class reads about the Mars Climate Orbiter that was destroyed in 1999 and discusses the costs and benefits of space...
Computer Science Unplugged
Phylogenetics
Introduce your class to the concept of creating phylogenetic trees by playing a game of Telephone. Participants create a mixed-up message and through the use of distance matrices, the evolution of the message is recreated.
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What's That?
Meant to be a simulation of a deep-sea exploration, this requires that another instructional activity be completed first. In that instructional activity, titled "Animals of the Lost City," marine biology buffs construct murals of benthic...
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Land Use Change Introduction
Students discuss the major changes that have taken place in the Hudson Valley over the past 400 years. They use aerial photos to describe major trends in Dutchess County. Students view a PowerPoint presentation. They work in small groups...
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Declaration of Independence
Students explore the US Constitution. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students work in pairs to select and examine amendments to the Bill of Rights. Students will identify what the amendment means, why they chose it, what it protects, and...
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Infinite Geometric Series
Eleventh graders investigate infinite geometric series. In this Algebra II activity, 11th graders explore partial sums of geometric series, converging and diverging series, and sums of infinite geometric series. The...
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Create, Design, and Invent with Plastic
Students explore creative ways to reuse materials. For this ecology/art lesson, students create artwork using trash. Students view examples of folk art from around the world that used waste products as a main component.
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Soundtrack to War
Students discuss the important role of music in lives of soldiers stationed in Iraq. They identify and demonstrate skills in creating compositions with limited resources, similar in concept to the soldiers viewed in the documentary.
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Rockets on a Shoestring Budget
Students, operating under simulated budget constraints, build pop-rockets and launch them. Working in pairs, they complete budget worksheets and use their "Blast Off Bucks" to pay for the construction. They then redesign their rockets...
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B-29 Frozen in Time
Students view a video clip about members of a B-29 flying group. They complete a chart while viewing the video. They work together to develop ideas to help solve the crew's problems during flight. They share their ideas with the class.
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The Teenage Single Parent
Students examine the challenges a single teenage parent faces. In groups, they research ways to positively cope with an unplanned pregnancy and design their own layette for their new baby. As a class, they discuss what it means to be...
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TRUE / FALSE: BIODIVERSITY EDITION
Twelfth graders explore issues related to biodiversity and biodiversity conservation. One person (or object) stands at one end of a trail and another at the other end, both within sight. One person/object represents "truth" the other...
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What is That White Stuff?
Fifth graders identify, through experimentation, what properties of substance are, determine what variables tested will be, identify constants and variables of experiment, conduct experiment to conclusion with measurable, recorded...
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Swing your Partner: The Basics of Square Dancing
Learners perform square dancing steps. In this square dancing lesson, students view a video to learn the basic steps. Learners discuss the history of the dance and perform with partners.
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Barney Bear Gets Dressed
Students identify colors and use descriptive words to create a book about a bear. For this lesson on using descriptive language, students listen to a story and help the teacher explain what happened. Students then participate...
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The New Deal
High schoolers investigate the history behind The New Deal through using primary source documents. This allows students to discover history with limited background knowledge. They answer questions and receive further clarification with...
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Pheed the World: Edible Phyla
Students discuss the contributions of different organisms to our world. In this biology activity, students research countries with limited food supply. They create an improvement plan for a fictitious country assigned to them.
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Limiting Trade
Students debate imposing tariffs on imported shoes. In this tariffs lesson, the class is divided into two groups: those that oppose a tariff on imported shoes, and those that support it. Groups read about each position, write position...
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Making Waves with the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Students examine different types of electromagnetic waves and their sources. In this electromagnetic waves lesson students view a video and complete a handout.
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What's Cooking? It Starts with a Plan and a List
Students create a meal plan for their family. In this adult health science activity, students discuss the benefits of using a shopping list. They explain how these methods can help them save time and make healthy meals.
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Genetic Disorders with Cultural Roots: International Insects
Students recognize that certain populations have specific genetic disorders that could benefit or harm them in their environment, work out punnett square problems and infer offspring probabilities from results, and provide advantages and...
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Dancing With Props
Students move a prop by moving their bodies. They are encouraged to focus on balance, a variety of body movements, and making the prop central to their movements.