Cognitive Treks
209 Followers
Texas, United States
About the store
So glad you are here! Welcome to Cognitive Treks TPT store where science education is our passion! We specialize in creating engaging and effective science lessons tailored for educators like you.
Our mission is to provide high quality science lessons to high quality teachers. As an educator, your time is both valuable and limited. Let Cognitive Treks help by providing real world, thoughtful lessons to complement what you already do so well in the classroom.
Go ahead - take a look! Discover innovative and standards aligned resources that will spark curiosity, inspire learning, and make science an unforgettable part of any student's day. Our lessons include presentations, activities, choice boards, science articles, STEM projects, CER labs and more. New products are added often - keep checking back for new releases!
Thank you - Laura Thomas
Cognitive Treks
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Standard
Weather Maps & Forecasting Science Lesson | Middle School STEM
Struggling to help students make sense of weather maps and symbols? Help your students build real-world data interpretation skills while exploring meteorology and weather forecasting. This engaging lesson gives students meaningful practice with reading weather maps and analyzing patterns using real-world weather data. WHAT THIS RESOURCE ISThis resource is a complete lesson and stations activity designed for middle school science students, focused on weather forecasting and interpreting weathe
6th - 9th
Earth Sciences, General Science, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-ESS2-6
, MS-ESS2-5
, SCIENCE.8.10.A
+1
Also included in: Weather Unit Bundle Middle School Science | Meteorology STEM Lessons
Thermal Energy & Heat Transfer CER Lab | Hot Cocoa/Chocolate Science Experiment
How Long Can You Keep Hot Cocoa Hot?Engage your students with a hands-on CER lab exploring thermal energy and heat transfer!Looking for a fun and practical way to reinforce thermal energy concepts in your middle school science classroom? This Hot Cocoa Challenge is a student-favorite CER investigation that explores how heat transfers through conduction, convection, and radiation, while also applying real-world problem-solving skills! In this engaging lab, students will test different materials
6th - 8th
Physical Science, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-PS3-4
, MS-PS3-3
, MS-PS3-5
+2
STEM Ecology Project | Design An Animal Prosthetic | Science & Engineering
EXTREMELY engaging STEM Ecology Project where students Design An Animal Prosthetic! Super fun, interesting and eye-opening! Learn how scientific advancements and biomedical engineering are solving real problems by merging science and engineering. Students first see how prosthesis development for limb structures have improved people’s lives and animals as well! Includes videos with real life stories and solutions being developed. Next, they practice creating a prototype. Finally, they will use S
6th - 9th
Engineering, Environment, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-LS1-3
, MS-ETS1-1
, SCIENCE.7.5.F
+1
CER Slime Lab Chemistry Experiment | Physical & Chemical Changes | Science Fun!
Looking for a fun, hands-on way to teach physical and chemical changes while strengthening your students’ writing in science? This Slime Lab is a student favorite that combines an engaging activity with the Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) framework. Students love making slime - and you’ll love how the lesson guides them to collect data, analyze their results, and write a strong scientific explanation. What the Lesson is About: In this lab, students create slime and investigate whether the pro
6th - 8th
Chemistry, General Science, Physical Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-PS1-2
, MS-PS1-5
, SCIENCE.6.6.E
+2
Water Scarcity - Blended Learning Stations (Water Cycle, Drought, Human Impact)
Recent droughts continue to headline the news about water crisis and scarcity. Find out why! Land Without Water is a thought provoking lesson that makes it real through blended learning stations covering: understanding the problem, water cycle, weather and climate, ecological drought and human impact. Students will explore multiple resources examining worsening drought conditions to better understand human and environmental interaction. Includes presentation with lesson, video links, blended lea
7th - 9th
Environment, General Science, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-LS2-1
, SCIENCE.6.12.A
, SCIENCE.8.12.B
+1
Sound Waves Choice Menu Project | Properties & Types of Sound | Energy & Science
Looking for great projects for your energy and/or sound unit? Check out this Sound Waves Choice Menu Project where students select from 9 great sound wave topics with different project options! Each sound wave topic includes a brief review of key concepts, helps students decide on their project & provides student pages for support. Allowing student choice adds engagement and ownership as they investigate and create a project on sound waves! You will be amazed by their imagination in their pro
6th - 8th
General Science, Physical Science, Science
NGSS
MS-PS4-1
, MS-PS4-2
Visible Spectrum of Light & Color | Energy & Waves |Lesson & Research Assignment
" The Visible Spectrum: Exploring Light and Color" deeply explores the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum. This resource combines a slide presentation and a research project. It aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how light waves create color and how we perceive color. The lesson encourages self-directed learning after the teacher's presentation when students complete a research assignment focused on the exploration of their choice. The project has students
6th - 8th
General Science, Physical Science, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-PS4-2
, SCIENCE.8.8.B
Heat Transfer Stations Lab | Thermal Energy | Science Experiments & Activities
Heat Transfer Stations Lab! Students discover & explore heat transfer & thermal energy with 8 unique hands-on stations! Give students first hand knowledge through observations as they uncover knowledge about heat! Student lab pages provide structure for station observations, questions & keeping students on track. Lab also includes great teacher tips for setup of each station to ensure your class runs smoothly. In addition, 2 presentation versions are included. One is widescreen format for pres
6th - 8th
General Science, Physical Science, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-PS3-4
, MS-PS3-5
, SCIENCE.7.8.A
+1
Fast Fashion | Clothing Impact on Environment, Waste, Resources |Science Article
Did you know that the fashion choices your students make today could impact the environment for years to come? Engage your students in meaningful reflection with this ready-to-use science article on fast fashion and its environmental impact (waste, pollution and resource depletion). This science article introduces students to the hidden costs of fast fashion and how consumer choices affect the planet. Designed for students in grades 7-10, this thought-provoking resource explores concepts like
7th - 10th
Environment, Science
Microplastics Science Article | Plastic Pollution Environmental Reading
Help students explore the growing environmental problem of microplastic pollution through an engaging middle school science reading activity that builds scientific literacy, environmental awareness, and critical thinking skills. In this informational science article, “What’s the Big Deal About Tiny Plastics?”, students learn what microplastics are, how they enter the environment, where they are most commonly found, and how they affect people, wildlife, and ecosystems. Microplastics are an eme
6th - 9th
Environment, Science
NGSS
MS-ESS3-3
Weather Forecasting Lesson | Tools, Data & Predictions | Middle School
Help your students understand how weather forecasts are made while exploring the tools meteorologists use every day. This engaging lesson gives students meaningful practice with data collection and prediction using real-world weather tools. How do scientists turn measurements like air pressure, temperature, and wind speed into accurate forecasts? WHAT THIS RESOURCE ISThis resource is a complete, ready-to-teach lesson designed for middle school students, focused on weather forecasting and m
6th - 8th
Earth Sciences, General Science, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-ESS2-6
, MS-ESS2-5
, SCIENCE.8.10.A
+1
Also included in: Weather Unit Bundle Middle School Science | Meteorology STEM Lessons
Science Reading Article | Human Impact | Ocean Overfishing & Predatory Fish Loss
How is overfishing affecting the ocean? In this article, called “Where Have All the Fish Gone?” students will learn about larger predator fish species in the ocean and the concern around their population decline. Students will read about the importance of predatory fish, our reliance on the ocean as a food source and how biodiversity is crucial to maintaining ecosystems. After reading this your students will be ready to discuss the main causes of fish population declines, the problems this prese
6th - 9th
Environment, Science
TEKS
SCIENCE.6.4.A
, SCIENCE.7.4.A
, SCIENCE.8.4.A
Bird Migration Science Lesson | Navigation, Challenges, Interactive Map Activity
From North to South: Exploring Bird Migration: Discover the remarkable journeys that birds undertake each year, traveling thousands of miles between breeding and wintering grounds in one of nature's most spectacular phenomena.Introduce your students to one of nature’s most spectacular events - bird migration. With a teacher presentation and interactive mapping activity, students will investigate real-world migration routes, navigation strategies, and human impacts on ecosystems. What This Lesson
7th - 9th
Biology, Environment, General Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-LS2-2
, MS-LS2-4
, MS-LS2-1
+2
Biomimicry & Adaptation | STEM Design Challenge & Lesson | Science & Engineering
Learn about natural innovations with Biomimicry & Adaptation STEM Design Challenge & Lesson! Learn how mimicry, biomimicry & nature work together to create processes that are successful. The new combination of science, engineering and innovation can work to create a better world for us all. Peak your students' interest as society looks to nature for new ideas and include them on this journey. Biomimicry works to create products & systems that will solve societal problems. Are you up for the ch
6th - 9th
Engineering, Environment, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-LS4-4
, SCIENCE.6.1.G
, SCIENCE.6.4.A
+6
Science Data Skills Bundle - Lessons, Activities, Graphing Project & Infographic
Unique bundle of Science Data Skills lessons, activities, graphing project and infographic. Scientists collect and analyze vast amounts of data, help your students become better scientists. Scientific Models - Students will learn about different types of models, their uses and limitations. Seeking Patterns - Understand patterns and practice statistical calculations with mean, median and mode. Graphing Project & Lesson - Students drive their own engaging survey graphing project utilizing project
6th - 8th
Graphing, Science
Bird Migration & Conservation Bundle | Activities, Mapping, Graphs, STEM Project
Birds in Danger! A 5-Lesson Bundle on Migration, Conservation & Human Impact! Designed for middle school science, this collection explores bird migration, population decline, and human impacts on ecosystems through data analysis, public awareness projects, scientific reading, and hands-on STEM activities. If you're teaching NGSS-aligned units on ecosystems, environmental science, or scientific skills like data visualization and critical thinking, this resource will save you time and keep your s
7th - 10th
Biology, Environment, General Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-LS2-2
, MS-LS2-4
, MS-LS2-1
+2
Electric Cars (Vehicles) Lesson & Investigative Debate | Energy & Human Impact
Should you buy an electric car? With 1.5 billion cars on the road, that is an important question. Learn about electric vehicles, how they work and their impact in this Energy & Human Impact lesson. Students learn about EV's, then get to investigate further about electric versus gas cars. Next they share what they have learned with a class debate answering "Should you buy an electric car?" Engaging, timely, important discussions will occur as students support their arguments. You classroom will b
6th - 9th
Earth Sciences, Environment, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-PS2-3
, SCIENCE.4.11.A
Lab Procedure Lesson | Writing Scientific Steps for Middle School Science
Are your students struggling to write clear lab procedures? Do your students need to practice this important skill? This engaging lesson is the perfect solution to help middle school scientists master this essential skill - and set both you and your students up for a successful year in science class! With this step-by-step activity, students practice writing and following procedures, building confidence and clarity for future science labs. This lesson helps students learn how to write clear, det
6th - 8th
General Science, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-ETS1-1
, SCIENCE.6.1.B
, SCIENCE.6.11.B
+2
Energy Transformations Stations Lab | Types of Energy | Science Activities
Energy Transformations Stations Lab includes 15 fantastic lab stations for students to observe and explore! Great practice identifying energy transformations and forms of energy: chemical, thermal, mechanical, nuclear, radiant and electrical. Each station provides real-life examples to reinforce your energy lessons. Includes stations lab details, editable station template, answer key and setup tips (35 slides) and student lab pages (2 pages + scaffolded version 3 pages). "Transform" your class
6th - 8th
Physical Science, Physics, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-PS3-5
, SCIENCE.6.8.A
Physical and Chemical Changes | CER Lab Experiments | Taste Science Chemistry
Bring chemistry to life through one of students’ favorite topics - food! In Taste Chemistry, students explore how chemistry and biology intersect through the science of flavor. Using salt, sugar, and spices, students investigate physical and chemical changes, evidence of chemical reactions, and how the human body interprets taste. Through hands-on activities and guided note-taking, students analyze real-world examples of how everyday food reactions reveal the principles of matter and energ
7th - 9th
Chemistry, General Science, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-PS1-2
, SCIENCE.6.6.E
, SCIENCE.7.6.C
+1
Showing 1-20 of 299 results
About the store
Experience
So glad you are here! Welcome to Cognitive Treks TPT store where science education is our passion! We specialize in creating engaging and effective science lessons tailored for educators like you.
Our mission is to provide high quality science lessons to high quality teachers. As an educator, your time is both valuable and limited. Let Cognitive Treks help by providing real world, thoughtful lessons to complement what you already do so well in the classroom.
Go ahead - take a look! Discover innovative and standards aligned resources that will spark curiosity, inspire learning, and make science an unforgettable part of any student's day. Our lessons include presentations, activities, choice boards, science articles, STEM projects, CER labs and more. New products are added often - keep checking back for new releases!
Thank you - Laura Thomas
Cognitive Treks
Teaching style
As an educator I have a passion for teaching and science. It is important to me that science helps students grow and learn about both themselves and the world around them. My teaching philosophy is based on providing students with opportunities to learn through hands on experiences and to use critical thinking to create a greater understanding of key concepts. I have taught and developed curriculum and programing for both non-traditional and traditional education fields. This experience provides insight on the best approaches to engage my audience.
My own education history
BS in Biology and a Master's degree in Secondary Education
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