In their study of the medium ground finches, evolutionary biologists Peter and …
In their study of the medium ground finches, evolutionary biologists Peter and Rosemary Grant were able to track the evolution of beak size twice in an amazingly short period of time due to two major droughts that occurred in the 1970s and 1980s. This activity simulates the food availability during these droughts and demonstrates how rapidly natural selection can act when the environment changes. Students use two different types of tools to represent different beak types to see which is best adapted to collect and eat seeds of different sizes. Students collect and analyze data and draw conclusions about traits that offer a selective advantage under different environmental conditions. They have the option of using an Excel spreadsheet to calculate different descriptive statistics and interpret graphs.
In this lesson, students work in teams of two, and each team …
In this lesson, students work in teams of two, and each team completes two separate experiments demonstrating random genetic drift and natural selection.
In this lesson, students discover the impact that flooding has on people's …
In this lesson, students discover the impact that flooding has on people's lives, and how science and technology can mitigate its effects and help find potential solutions. Working in teams, students design and build a model of a flood-proof home for their family on the fictitious isalnd of Watu. They will consider how flooding affects the whole community and work out where the best place for a home would be.
In this 1-2 week engineering design lesson, students will design and build …
In this 1-2 week engineering design lesson, students will design and build water filters out of natural materials to simulate a filter system (bioswales) that cleans storm-water runoff before it soaks into the ground or enters a city’s storm-drain system. Their ultimate goal is to determine the combination and sequence of materials that best clean polluted water. Using materials easily found in pet stores and garden centers, students use the scientific method, students design to test and retest their designs and record, display and analyze their results.
In this lesson, students take on the role of a quality analyst …
In this lesson, students take on the role of a quality analyst from a small independent quality control firm that checks results to ensure that they meet the requirements of the UK Environment Agency. The test involves adding an acidic solution of iron(III) chloride to the water sample and measuring the concentration of thiocyanate photometrically by measuring the absorbance due to the iron(III) thiocyanate complex.
In this lesson, students read an article about meteorology and weather maps. …
In this lesson, students read an article about meteorology and weather maps. Then they will complete an activity where they will draw weather symbols on a copy of a map of North America to correspond to a written weather report.
Students learn about material culture in this Moveable Museum lesson plan by …
Students learn about material culture in this Moveable Museum lesson plan by taking a firsthand look at how culture influences the kinds of things we do. The 12-page PDF guide has educator materials including background information, teacher strategies, assessment guidelines, and detailed notes about the curriculum standards addressed. The Becoming a Cultural Researcher activity worksheet has a series of questions that prompts students to reflect on the material culture of daily activities, customs, or ceremonies. There is a kid-friendly glossary of related terms.
Students will review their knowledge about the life cycle of frogs and …
Students will review their knowledge about the life cycle of frogs and butterflies by using a bee-bot to make a path to the correct stages of the life cycles. This would be a review lesson for kindergarten students that have already learned about the life cycles of frogs and butterflies.
In this lesson, Kindergarten students will take a walk through campus and …
In this lesson, Kindergarten students will take a walk through campus and look for local birds. They will identify the birds they see based on their unique characteristics. Then they will use pictures of these birds to make algorithms using the Beebot having the Beebot move from start to the picture of the bird placed randomly on the mat. This lesson ties in NCSCOS standards for Science, and Computer Science.
Sample Learning Goals Describe the relationships between volume and amount of solute …
Sample Learning Goals Describe the relationships between volume and amount of solute to solution concentration Explain qualitatively the relationship between solution color and concentration Predict and explain how solution concentration will change for adding or removing: water, solute, and/or solution Calculate the concentration of solutions in units of molarity (mol/L) Design a procedure for creating a solution of a given concentration Identify when a solution is saturated and predict how concentration will change for adding or removing: water, solute, and/or solution Describe the relationship between the solution concentration and the intensity of light that is absorbed/transmitted Describe the relationship between absorbance, molar absorptivity, path length, and concentration in Beer’s Law Predict how the intensity of light absorbed/transmitted will change with changes in solution type, solution concentration, container width, or light source, and explain why
This multimedia resource, part of the NC Science Now series, describes how …
This multimedia resource, part of the NC Science Now series, describes how researcher in Research Triangle Park are working to figure out what is causing the dramatic decline in the population of honey bees and how it is threatening the world's food supply. Components of this resource include a video, a related blog article, and discussion questions. Links to these components are provided on the page under the heading "UNC-TV Media."
This resource is a beginning of the year survey for new teachers …
This resource is a beginning of the year survey for new teachers / staff to the building. The quick checklist provides an opportunity for teachers to assess themselves and list area of need. After reviewing the surveys, a plan can be developed for future PD opportunities.
In this activity, students do a case study of giardiasis, an infectious …
In this activity, students do a case study of giardiasis, an infectious disease caused by the tiny parasite Giardia lambila ("lambilia" means intestine). Students will apply what they have learned about the "host" vertex of the Epidemiologic Triangle as they learn about giardiasis.
Working with a teacher, students will recreate some of the electrical experiments …
Working with a teacher, students will recreate some of the electrical experiments originally performed by Benjamin Franklin between 1746 and 1754. These hands-on experiments highlight Franklin's innovative contributions to science and government. Visitors will experience static electricity and may receive an exciting but harmless electric shock.
Sample Learning Goals Explain how light bends at the interface between two …
Sample Learning Goals Explain how light bends at the interface between two media and what determines the angle. Apply Snell’s law to a laser beam incident on the interface between media. Describe how the speed and wavelength of light changes in different media. Describe the effect of changing wavelength on the angle of refraction. Explain how a prism creates a rainbow.
Students conduct research about how studying ocean currents is helpful to people …
Students conduct research about how studying ocean currents is helpful to people in specific jobs or professions. Then they present their findings to the class.
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