Marveling Over Science
63 Followers
Massachusetts, United States
About the store
I have been teaching science for over 15 years. During that time I've taught students ranging from 2nd grade to 12th grade. I found that I enjoy middle school students the most and that's where I've settled. I took a break from the classroom to work at an environmental non-profit running programs for teachers and students as well. Prior to teaching, I utilized my degree in biology while working in a pediatric cancer research lab. All of these experiences have greatly influenced my approach to teaching science.
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Heat & Thermal Energy: Convection Hands-On Lab Activity
This product has students explore convection through two hands on activities. In the first, students will witness how different temperatures of water have different rates of molecular motion since it is key that they understand the connection between temperature, motion and density. Once they understand that, they will set up a model of a convection current like those found in the mantle, the ocean and atmosphere. Students will: Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle mot
5th - 9th
Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Environment
NGSS
MS-ESS2-3
, MS-PS1-4
, MS-ESS2-6
Natural Selection & Adaptations: Create an Organism Project
Engage your students in a creative assessment! This project is designed for students to complete at the end of a unit on natural selection and adaptations. Students will create an organism and identify reproductive and survival adaptations as well as its biome. To present their organism, they will create a slideshow that includes explanations of each adaptation and a drawing (digital or hand drawn) of their organism. For the final element of the project, students will analyze how well their orga
6th - 9th
Biology, Environment, General Science
NGSS
MS-LS4-4
Genetics & Heredity: Modeling Chromosomes Hands On Activity
In this activity, students get an opportunity to build a chromosome! They start by using pieces of DNA (strips of paper) to create genes. In teams, they combine their genes and build a pair of chromosomes. Students will actively use key genetic vocabulary as they complete this hands-on activity. There is an optional extension activity for students ready to dive deeper into DNA. Students will: Engage with key genetic terminologyExplore how genetic variation occurs Understand how chromosomes of o
6th - 9th
Biology, General Science, Science
NGSS
HS-LS3-1
, MS-LS3-1
, MS-LS3-2
Heat & Thermal Energy: Conduction Hands-On Lab Activity
This simple station allows students to explore how heat moves through the process of conduction. The setup is simple and doesn't require specialized equipment! With just 2 beakers/cups, different temperature water, and some spoons; your students can explore how heat moves from where it is most concentrated to where there is less thermal energy. While this is a single activity that explores conduction, it can be combined with other activities to explore convection and radiation. This product con
4th - 12th
Chemistry, Physical Science, Science
NGSS
MS-PS3-4
, MS-PS3-3
, 4-PS3-2
Plate Tectonics & Volcanoes: Research and Engineering Project
Engage your students in this project that includes not only research and engineering but the opportunity to create a volcanic eruption! This project will engage students with different learning styles and help students connect the science to the real world. The project includes 3 parts: researching the basics of volcanoes, creating a model of a specific type of volcano and lastly presenting the models to the class. The materials are designed so that you can have your students complete the full p
6th - 12th
Earth Sciences, Engineering, Science
NGSS
MS-ESS2-2
Heat & Thermal Energy: Radiation Hands-On Lab Activity
Understanding radiation can be tricky for students! How to make the invisible understandable for students??? Engage them with hand on experiments where they witness temperature changing without conduction or convection occurring. Then have them apply their understanding to test the way different materials transmit radiation. This lab activity includes two radiation lab activities. The first experiment is an introductory to radiation and demonstrates how heat transfers through space. While studen
6th - 9th
Environment, General Science, Physical Science
NGSS
MS-PS3-4
, MS-PS4-2
, MS-ESS2-6
Reproduction: Flower Dissection
"WOW!" "Look at this!" "Is this the stamen or pistil?" ~ your students dissecting a flower While this seems like a simple activity, students are awed and very engaged as they carefully dissect a flower. In order to understand how plant structures and animal behaviors can impact the reproductive success of the plant, it's important that students know what the reproductive parts of a plant are. Many students have seen flowers but never carefully observed them. In this lab, students will record
5th - 9th
Biology, General Science
NGSS
MS-LS1-4
Genetics & Heredity: Monster Genetics Hand On Activity
Engage your student with this hands-on activity to introduce students to meiosis, independent assortment of genes, genetic variation and so much more. The students will each have a container of beads which represent the genes of a parent monster. Each will randomly select one of the two genes/beads for a given trait to pass on to their offspring. While primarily focused on the transmission of genes from parent to offspring in sexual reproduction, it can be used to introduce/review Mendelian inhe
6th - 8th
Biology, Science
NGSS
MS-LS3-2
Earth System: Earth's Spheres Handout
This activity is designed to introduce students to the Earth System and the interaction between the spheres. It can also be used to assess their understanding of those interactions. Students will learn about the spheres using online resources. It can be used as a sub plan or as collaborative groupwork where students jigsaw to share what they’ve learned about each sphere. Included are: 2 versions of a graphic organizer for organizing details and definitionsData table for identifying situations wh
5th - 7th
Basic Principles, Earth Sciences, Science
NGSS
5-ESS2-1
Asexual Reproduction, Ecosystems and Heredity: Paramecium's Plight Activity
In this activity, students explore how environmental conditions impact the survival of an asexually reproducing species. Students will fill ponds with different colored paramecium. Each color represents a group of paramecium with the same genetic make up. By rolling two dice, students will determine how the pond environment changes and the impact it has on the survival of the paramecium groups in the pond. This activity can be used to foster understanding of the benefits of genetic diversity and
6th - 10th
Biology, Environment, Science
NGSS
MS-LS2-4
, MS-LS3-2
, MS-LS4-4
+1
Cells: Cellular Transport Stations
Engage your students with this set of 6 stations! Students will model osmosis and active transport, experiment to determine how the cell membrane allows objects through without breaking and what it means when the membrane is describe as selectively permeable. These stations are designed to give students hands on experience with the properties of cellular membranes as well as examine how materials pass through cell membranes. Students engage in 5 hands on stations which explore different element
6th - 10th
Basic Principles, Biology, Chemistry
NGSS
MS-LS1-2
, HS-LS1-2
Composition of Matter: Hands on Activity Creating Models of Molecules
This product engages students in creating models to represent simple molecules, using clay. Your students will create clay atoms of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen which are combined to create different molecules with increasing complexity. The follow up discussion questions has students think about how all matter is created from only 118 elements. This product includes: 3 page student handout which includes description of procedure, data table and analysis questions. 2 versions of the student handou
5th - 8th
General Science, Physical Science, Science
NGSS
MS-PS1-1
Land and Sea Breezes: Local Winds Hands On Activity
Have your students explore the uneven heating of Earth materials with this hands-on lab. Students will collect data on how different earth materials absorb heat, and then graph the results. A follow up discussion about air pressure, temperature and wind will help students make the connection between unequal heating of earth and the impact it has on weather patterns. This product contains: 3 page student handout which includes description of procedure, data table and analysis questions. 3 vers
6th - 9th
Earth Sciences, Environment, General Science
NGSS
MS-ESS2-6
, MS-ESS2-5
Earth's Atmosphere: Layers of Earth's Atmosphere Graphing Activity
Students often grapple to understand the complexity of the layers of the atmosphere. This activity has students create a scale model of the atmosphere by engaging with data used by scientists to determine the different layers of the atmosphere. To do this, they use their graphing skills to show how temperature changes throughout the atmosphere as altitude increases. They will use simple graph paper for their models, which can be stored in their folders/binders for reference throughout your unit.
7th - 9th
Earth Sciences, Environment, Science
NGSS
MS-ESS2-6
, MS-ESS2-5
Genetic Mutations: Modeling genetic mutations and impact to protein structure
This product engages students in an exploration of how changes in genes can in result altered proteins and traits. They create a model which highlights the differences between normal and sickle red blood cells. There are several linked videos to further student understanding of Sickle Cell Disease. A digital version is available through a link provided in the product. Students start by looking at red blood cell smears and identifying differences between normal and sickle red blood cells. They lo
6th - 9th
Biology, General Science, Science
NGSS
MS-LS3-1
Human Body Systems In Action!
Get your students out of their seats and actively explore their body systems!! There are 13 activities investigating the digestive, nervous, muscular/skeletal, circulatory and respiratory systems. They will collect data on their resting heart rates, nervous system response rates, lung capacity and more! Once they've collected data, they will share it with the class. Using online resources, students will look more into the data they have collected and how it is evidence that their body systems wo
5th - 9th
Anatomy, Biology, Science
NGSS
MS-LS1-3
Human Systems: Nervous System Hands on Activity and Notes
Looking to get your students out of their seats and actively investigating the nervous system? This activity does that! Students will explore how the type of stimulus they receive impacts their reaction rate time. As they complete this investigation, they will be collecting data and analyzing their results. Also included is a notes sheet to help pull all the details of the respiratory system together. Use it beforehand as an introduction or afterwards to sum it all up! **Looking for more system
5th - 8th
Anatomy, Biology, Science
NGSS
MS-LS1-3
Rubrics for science groups/labs
Students are often asked to work in groups in science. Some groupings work better than others. These rubrics will help you and students assess the efforts of individuals when they're working together. By providing these to students in advance it'll be clear to students what is expected of them. Meanwhile if a student ends up bearing the brunt of the work, they have a chance to reflect this when they complete their evaluation (rubric) of their peers. This product includes 3 rubrics which can b
4th - 12th
Science
Human Systems: Circulatory System Hands on Activity and Notes
Looking to get your students out of their seats and actively investigating the circulatory system? This activity does that! Students will measure their resting heart rate and observe how that changes immediately following exercise. Students will be collecting data and analyzing their results. Also included is a notes sheet to help pull all the details of the circulatory system together. Use it beforehand as an introduction or afterwards to sum it all up! **Looking for more systems?? This activ
5th - 8th
Anatomy, Biology, Science
NGSS
MS-LS1-3
Human Systems: Respiratory System Hands On Activity and Notes
Looking to get your students out of their seats and actively investigating the respiratory system? This activity does that! Students will explore how the amount of carbon dioxide in each exhale changes with exercise. Using a balloon, they will determine their approximate lung capacity. Students will be collecting data and analyzing their results. Also included is a notes sheet to help pull all the details of the respiratory system together. Use it beforehand as an introduction or afterwards to s
6th - 8th
Anatomy, Biology, Science
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About the store
Experience
I have been teaching science for over 15 years. During that time I've taught students ranging from 2nd grade to 12th grade. I found that I enjoy middle school students the most and that's where I've settled. I took a break from the classroom to work at an environmental non-profit running programs for teachers and students as well. Prior to teaching, I utilized my degree in biology while working in a pediatric cancer research lab. All of these experiences have greatly influenced my approach to teaching science.
Teaching style
In general, I think students learn best when they are doing hands on, inquiry based activities like labs. That said, I also feel that as a teacher my job is to help them make sense of those experiences which often translates into discussions, writing assignments or notes. Each class should be a blend of both with a bit more hands on than not :)
My own education history
I have a BS in Biology which served me well while I was working in a pediatric cancer research lab following college. Once I decided to teach, I got my MA in Secondary Science Education.
Additional biographical information
When it comes to my teaching, I have benefited the most from working at a few different schools and grade levels. I feel the perspective I've gained has strongly impacted my approach to teaching. The time I spent outside the classroom working in a more typical 'office' environment has also influenced both my approach to teaching as well as how I translate science back to the real world for my students.
Beyond the classroom, I have three great kids, a dog and husband. I enjoy getting outside to explore with my kids, work in the garden or just read.
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