Chuck Downing
24 Followers
San Diego, California, United States
About the store
I have 31 years of experience teaching high school biology, AP Biology, and integrated science.
I have eight years of experience teaching General Education Biology at Point Loma Nazarene University.
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How To Graph Scientific Data
This product has two distinct components.
The PDF file, How to Graph Scientific Data, is an activity that takes students step-by-step through the process of making a scientific graph. From determining the best size for each axis to choosing the best type of line to naming the graph, each component of graph making is clearly explained. Students produce a graph from data provided.
The second part of the file is a separate activity, Hooray for Oxygen, provides an additional opportunity for students
7th - 11th
Basic Principles, Science
A 5-E Science Lab – Fruit Fly Fantasy Lab
This is one of a series of laboratory activities built on the 5-E approach. Each activity provides opportunities for students to ENGAGE ←→ EXPLORE ←→ EXPLAIN ←→ ELABORATE ←→ EVALUATE.
This dry lab includes in-depth explanations. It offers a choice of three crosses for analysis: monohybrid, dihybrid, and sex-linked. This version is appropriate for students in any class that includes a unit on genetics through AP/IB Biology level.
Students learn the basic life cycle of the fruit fly, Drosophila
9th - 12th
Biology, General Science
Human Body World- A Cooperative Investigation of Human Anatomy and Physiology
Student groups select one body system and design a complete area in the theme park, Human Body World. Each area must contain at least one ride, one other attraction, and assorted “theme park” regulars like a restaurant and gift shops. All attractions must relate some aspect of the anatomy and/or physiology of the body system to receive credit. Groups design and draw a map of their area on craft paper. They present their area to the class and their craft paper map becomes part of the “Walk in the
9th - 12th, Higher Education
Anatomy, Biology, Science
Chemical Detective - A “Who dun it” Performance Assessment for Chemistry
A “Who dun it” Performance Assessment for Chemistry & Other Chemical Displacement Activities contains four separate activities. Each can be used as a stand-alone task. Alternately, “mixing and matching” the activities is also a viable option.
In order of appearance:
Chemical Detective
This includes: 1) a practice session using displacement reactions to determine contents of solutions and 2) a performance assessment where students provide information for the police to use on suspects in a crimina
9th - 12th, Higher Education
Chemistry, Physical Science, Science
The Greenhouse Gas Collection: 3 Integrated Labs and a Performance Assessment
The four labs in The Greenhouse Gas Collection provides background and experience on how the concentration of carbon dioxide can impact the temperature of our atmosphere. Lab #1, Taking Global Warming 2-Liter-ally, emphasizes experimental design as students design and test experimental set-ups simulating various atmospheric conditions in two-liter bottles. The various designs are compared in the Apply and Synthesis questions.
Collecting and Analyzing Carbon Dioxide is Lab #2. Using baking soda a
9th - 12th, Higher Education
Earth Sciences, Environment, Science
Experimental Design: 3 PowerPoints to Guide Students to Excellence in Design
Three PowerPoint Presentations introduce the concept of experimental design by using and critiquing three famous experiments from various times in science history. Each experiment is used to emphasize particular characteristics of both good and bad experimental methodology.
A fourth PPT acts as Teacher Notes.
A Rubric for experimental design is included.
A link to my professional website offers more free support.
Experimental Design: 3 PowerPoints to Guide Students to Excellence in Design by
8th - 11th
Biology, General Science, Science
2 Science Logos with Symbols for Letters and Students on the Symbols on One
Two versions of a creative science logo are included.
In the first very creative logo, commissioned by Dr. Chuck Downing and designed by Alyssa Jacqueline Tethal, each letter has been replaced with a symbol representing one area of science.
The S is a snake (zoology). The first C is Carbon's space on the Periodic Table (chemistry). The I is a micropipetter (molecular biology). The first E is a spring (physics). The N is a series of pulleys (physics). The second C is five fossil bones (archeolo
Not Specific
Science
Science Stories with a meaning: Casediba River Pollution Performance Assessment
This performance assessment on introductory acid/base chemistry uses a scenario where high school students assist in determining water pollution by acids and bases. Individual students perform pH testing of samples.
The student goal is twofold:
1. Determine which sample came from which collection point.
2. Defend their decision as to whether three factories are polluting the Casediba River.
Options are provided for both wet-lab and dry-lab procedures. The wet-lab procedures also provide choice
9th - 12th
Chemistry, Environment, Science
Periodic Table Cards & Atomic Bingo! Activities for Introducing the Elements
Two activities and a review/reinforcement “game” are included.
Students begin by producing their own Periodic Table Cards (essentially disassembled individual boxes from the PT) for each of the first twenty elements. Using those cards as tools, they explore the organization of the Periodic Table and investigate alternate organizational strategies. As additional content appears in the curriculum, additional information is added to these cards.
As often as desired, students can use their cards
8th - 11th
Chemistry, General Science, Physical Science
Lab Template: Pictorial Procedure
A Pre-Lab, In-Lab, Post-Lab Procedure for All Science Classes. In this activity you will find a model for a laboratory report template that crosses disciplinary boundaries, causes students to think, and provides accountability for reading the protocol prior to entering the lab. Directions, actual student examples, a sample lab with answer key are provided.
Lab Template: Pictorial Procedure - A Pre-Lab, In-Lab, Post-Lab Procedure for All Science Classes by Dr. Chuck Downing is licensed under a C
9th - 12th
Basic Principles, Science
The Truth Is Out There (a journey into interdisciplinary space)
Good teaching in general (and the Common Core Standards) encourage/require interdisciplinary activities and lessons. Too many secondary teachers are unfamiliar with (could be read as frightened by) the concept and process.
This Engagement Explorer resource for teachers provides direction and examples for adding or increasing interdisciplinary writing in the curriculum.
The Truth Is Out There - a journey into interdisciplinary space by Dr. Chuck Downing is licensed under a Creative Commons Attri
8th - 11th
Science
CCSS
W.8.1
, W.9-10.1
, W.11-12.1
Science Logo with Symbols for Letters and Students Interacting with the Symbols
In this ENHANCED VERSION of a very creative logo, commissioned by Dr. Chuck Downing and designed by Alyssa Jacqueline Tethal, each letter has been replaced with a symbol representing one area of science. In addition, "silhouettes of students engaging in science actions" are found on six of the letters.
The S is a snake (zoology-student with magnifying glass). The first C is Carbon's space on the Periodic Table (chemistry-student sitting on top). The I is a micropipetter (molecular biology-stude
Not Specific
Science
Science Logo with Symbols for Letters
In this very creative logo, commissioned by Dr. Chuck Downing and designed by Alyssa Jacqueline Tethal, each letter has been replaced with a symbol representing one area of science.
The S is a snake (zoology). The first C is Carbon's space on the Periodic Table (chemistry). The I is a micropipetter (molecular biology). The first E is a spring (physics). The N is a series of pulleys (physics). The second C is five fossil bones (archeology). The final E is a microscope (biology).
The .jpeg file i
Not Specific
Science
Temperature vs. Heat & Hot Stuff? Too Cool! A Discovery Activity on Temperature
This activity contains a brief discussion (Temperature vs. Heat) about the differences between the concepts of temperature and heat.
The included laboratory procedure (Hot Stuff? Too Cool!) is an open-ended investigation. Student teams use various temperatures of water and “blank” thermometers to devise their own temperature scale.
Temperature vs. Heat & Hot Stuff? Too Cool! A Discovery Activity on Temperature by Dr. Chuck Downing is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
8th - 11th
Chemistry, Earth Sciences, General Science
Acid-Base Essay - An Assessment of Acid/Base Function and Experimental Design
Good teaching in general (and the Common Core Standards and NGSS) encourage/require interdisciplinary activities and lessons. Too many secondary teachers are unfamiliar with (could be read as frightened by) the concept and process. This activity provides a scenario with a problem for students to solve by designing an experiment. Demonstrating a high level of understanding of the concepts of acids, bases, and neutralization is foundational and recorded in an essay response.
Acid-Base Essay - An
9th - 12th, Higher Education
Basic Principles, Chemistry, Science
Have it your way -- Building a piece of a robot
A Cooperative, Problem-solving, STEM-infused Activity. This is a group STEM activity that combines, cooperative decisions, research, writing, construction of a functional product, meeting deadlines, and presenting results. The Science is biology and physics. You determine the amount of Technology required. Engineering is easy to locate. Math is critical in producing the drawings to scale.
Have it your way: Building a piece of robot by Dr. Chuck Downing is licensed under a Creative Commons Attri
9th - 12th, Higher Education
Biology, Engineering, Physical Science
A 5-E Science Lab – Fruit Fly Fantasy Lab - LITE Version
This is one of a series of laboratory activities built on the 5-E approach. Each activity provides opportunities for students to ENGAGE ←→ EXPLORE ←→ EXPLAIN ←→ ELABORATE ←→ EVALUATE.
Students learn the basic life cycle of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, and review three types of genetic crosses. They participate in a Fantasy Lab where each step in a hands-on Drosophila lab is described and explained. After practicing Punnett squares for each possible genetic cross, students receive data
8th - 11th
Biology, General Science
A 5-E Science Lab - What Habitat Will Shrimp Select?
This is one of a series of laboratory activities built on the 5-E approach. Each activity provides opportunities for students to ENGAGE ←→ EXPLORE ←→ EXPLAIN ←→ ELABORATE ←→ EVALUATE.
In this dry lab, students examine an experimental set-up designed to test three environmental components of the brine shrimp, Artemia: light, pH, and temperature. After answering questions about the materials and process in each experimental iteration, students write an “if… then…” hypothesis indicating their thin
7th - 10th
Basic Principles, Biology, Environment
Have it your way -- Building a piece of a robot
A Cooperative, Problem-solving, STEM-infused Activity. This is a group STEM activity that combines, cooperative decisions, research, writing, construction of a functional product, meeting deadlines, and presenting results. The Science is biology and physics. You determine the amount of Technology required. Engineering is easy to locate. Math is critical in producing the drawings to scale.
Have it your way: Building a piece of robot by Dr. Chuck Downing is licensed under a Creative Commons Attri
9th - 12th, Higher Education
Biology, Engineering, Physical Science
Ruminating on Rubrics
This article for teachers discusses rationale for, construction of, and use of additive rubrics. This type of rubric will assist in your implementation of Common Core types of activities and assessments.
Examples are provided.
Ruminating on Rubrics by Dr. Chuck Downing is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
7th - 10th
For All Subjects, Science
Showing 1-20 of 28 results
About the store
Experience
I have 31 years of experience teaching high school biology, AP Biology, and integrated science.
I have eight years of experience teaching General Education Biology at Point Loma Nazarene University.
Teaching style
Students in my classes think. I provide guidelines and they do the work they need to do to learn.
Awards & shining teacher moments
San Diego County Teacher of the Year
Christa McAuliffe Fellowship
Presidential Award for Science and Mathematics Teaching
My own education history
B.S. in Biological Sciences - San Diego State University
MA in Education - University of Redlands
Ph.D. in Science Education - Walden University
Additional biographical information
I have six lab/activity products marketed by Science Kit and Wards Biology.
I have two lab/activity books (Cranial Creations) published by J. Weson Walch, Publishers.
People's Education publishes: AP* Biology: Inquiry-Based Lab Investigations and Activities with Critical Thinking and Writing Skills.
My first Science Fiction novel, "Traveler's HOTL," is published by Koehler Books.
I am married with two outstanding sons and one adorable granddaughter.
I retired from full-time teaching in June of 2012.
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