As an anticipatory set, biologists listen to the story of Ruth Patrick, a scientist who used algae to detect water quality. They observe a demonstration of osmosis and diffusion. In their lab groups, they place Elodea stalks in...

Students are introduced to a gas chromatography using a discovery-based approach. They are presented with a scenario/industrial application where their job is to verify that the company's mouthwash contains a specific percentage of...

A radio receives radio signals, converts them to an electrical signal, then converts this signal to a sound signal, and amplifies the sound so people can hear it. Class members use this information to create a short-wave radio antenna...

Students, in groups, examine in depth one aspect of forensic archaeology to determine the skeleton's age, gender, and possible cause of death. To do so, students must first explain what is involved in each aspect of forensic archaeology.

Students take an online tour to learn about pets and their care. They click on selected Web links and answer questions about the material they encounter. They share something they learned from the WebQuest with a partner.

Students generate 2 or more questions without teacher support. They state known information and make personal connections without teacher support. They select two or more resources to answer his/her question. They distinguish...

Students explore natural decomposers. In this decomposing instructional activity, students participate in a WebQuest to discover how nature handles decomposition. Students compare natural methods for decomposition with recycling efforts.

Students examine the different careers associated with chemistry and see how it is used everyday.  In this forensic lesson plan students research a chemistry related career and write a presentation to give to the class.

Students collect and organize data from their classmates. They create a database of the information and analyze it. They discuss the role technology has in the world today.

Students experience exploring an archaeological site utilizing various archaeological methods and techniques to help them synthesize multiple aspects of past life and culture to today. They explore what an archaeologist can learn from an...

Students participate in a three-part lab in which they investigate plant pigments. Part I is designed to teach basic laboratory techniques of column chromatography, in Part II students design an experiment to separate the components of a...

Who is the spy? Help Diggs, the dog detective, find the hidden words in the letter box. Then, after you circle each hidden word, determine who the spy is. How did you know? 

A thorough background and nitrate sampling lab sheet are provided to share with your young scientists. After discussing the nitrogen cycle with the class, you will break them into small groups and show them how to use their inquiry...

History detectives put their keen observation skills to the test as they closely examine artifacts. Drawing on visual and tactile clues, they formulate a theory about who done it, or in this case who made it, why, and for what...

Physical or earth science pupils prepare a magnetometer by inducing magnetism into a pair of straight pins. As the pins hang from a thread, they can be used to detect the magnetic field or poles of a magnet. They could also be used as a...

Students identify sounds in their environment and acquire listening and inferring skills.

Exploration of the school grounds and thought images are used to demonstrate the many uses of plants.

Students listen to a verbal explanation of the function of deductive reasoning and problem solving. They read one of Donald Sobol's 'Two-Minute Mysteries' and complete a worksheet requiring them to write out the information which is...

Second graders make weather observations and record data. They use the internet to get data on the weather. After 5 days students predict the weather for the next 3 days.

High schoolers use mystery novels to focus on the history and ethnicity of different regions of the United States. As a class, they are introduced to the elements of a mystery and compare them to the other types of novels they have...

Students fill out a sticker chart and identify behaviors for completing nice manners. For this nice manners lesson plan, students discuss behaviors that are nice.

Second graders listen to the story Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard and James Marshall. In this literature lesson, 2nd graders predict the story's ending with drawings and discussions within groups.

Betsy Ross - fact and myth. As an introduction to American Literature, class members become detectives and search web sites to find information about the flag, prominent places it has been displayed (on the moon, at ground zero, in...

Young scholars determine the story elements of typical mystery stories including characters and plot structure. They look at vocabulary that is common to mystery stories before reading and responding to mystery chapter books. Working in...