Science with Simons

In this hands-on lab, students will explore the fundamental concept that all living organisms contain DNA, even in plant cells like those of a pumpkin. Using common household materials, students will extract and observe visible strands of DNA from pumpkin tissue. This activity provides a tangible way for students to connect abstract genetic concepts to real-world examples, reinforcing their understanding of cell structure and the role of DNA in heredity and function. Through the guided procedure

In this lab, students will explore the relationship between cellular respiration and photosynthesis using a hands-on experiment with bromothymol blue (BTB) and Elodea. Students will first investigate how exercise affects carbon dioxide (CO₂) production during cellular respiration, then extend the activity by observing how plants use CO₂ during photosynthesis. This lab reinforces key biological concepts and allows students to visualize gas exchange in living systems.

A highly engaging and effective lab helps students to understand the monomers, elements, and functions of macromolecules. In the past students struggled with understanding the monomers, elements, and functions of the 4 different macromolecules. Therefore, I created a new type of activity that does not involve the typical cut/paste activity. This activity uses chalk markers/expo markers, play-doh, pipe cleaners, and pony beads. Students have a blast building the different macromolecules and they

In this hands-on lab, students will explore the fundamental concept that all living organisms contain DNA, even in plant cells like those of a pumpkin. Using common household materials, students will extract and observe visible strands of DNA from pumpkin tissue. This activity provides a tangible way for students to connect abstract genetic concepts to real-world examples, reinforcing their understanding of cell structure and the role of DNA in heredity and function. Through the guided procedure

Welcome to Science with Simons!! This is an inquiry based power point lesson. This lesson truly brought me and other teachers so much joy and excitement! In this power point, all I did was ask questions and analyze historical models that empowered students to determine the correct model of the solar system we live in. In this lesson you are sharing this power point with students and allowing them to ask questions. It helps them to brainstorm and practice metacognitive thinking skills. What mak

Welcome to Simons Science!This product was great for helping students understand the phases of the moon! Included: power point that begins with a warm up to help access that prior knowledge or a recap from a previous session. It then flows into reading a short article from Spaceplace.nasa.gov that helps them self check whether their warm up questions were accurate. Next, we go into the main session where students are filling in a table and interacting with a lab simulation from PBS learning. T

In this Activity, students are assigned an aquatic ecosystem. They are grouped into groups of 4. They each have a role. I have listed expectations for each role. They are to research, write, draw, and color on poster board or can just be a sheet of paper. After completed they will share with each other about their ecosystem by half of the groups rotating and the other half staying stationary. This is a jigsaw activity research project. I have included a rubric. This is a great way for students

Welcome to Simons Science. You are really going to like this one! This is an atmospheric layer choice activity. Students can choose between a detailed drawing, song, or brochure. Included in this activity is a document with instructions to put their knowledge of the layers of atmospheric into practice. I have also included a detailed rubric for each activity. How do I implement it?I read the expectations to students and had them choose their option. I provided computer paper for those doing

Hello and welcome to Simons Science!This resource includes a two page study guide that provides a great general overview for seasons and moon phases (See NGSS Standard Below). I have included in this study guide a range of DOK Level 1-4 questions. There is a check for understanding of key concepts from this unit. Vocabulary is reinforced in the style of questions being asked. Students are challenged to think strategically by analyzing a number of models. This is a great reinforcer, study gui

Every year I see students struggle with Independent and Dependent Variables and setting up an experiment. This is an amazing resource for students that I created to help them understand and practice with Independent and Dependent Variables and also to set up and design their own theoretical experiment. I have seen this resource really help guide kids understand the variables and how to use that knowledge in setting up and designing their own experiment. What is included?1 page of background inf

Many science classes at the beginning of the year start off with the Nature of Science. It includes the steps of an investigation, Independent and Dependent variables, Control, Constants, Observation, Inference, Qualitative vs. Quantitative, etc. This quick 8 question quiz I believe is great for a pre and/or post quiz. I use it for both in my Biology class.

This is an excellent product to help students understand and display their understanding of ecosystems. In this two day activity students will create their own ecosystem and write a paragraph about it. My students enjoyed it.

Welcome to Science with Simons! Thank you for checking out this resource. Below are the details. I hope you find what you are looking for! Let's face it renewable energy is the future, or is it? Let your students do the research and decide for themselves. This product includes: Debate instructions, The structure of the debate, guided research questions, and Works Cited Instructions. You and your students will absolutely enjoy this!! Follow and leave feedback! Thanks for tuning in to Science

Thank you for tuning into Science with Simons!!What does the product come with? a 12 slide Power Point Presentation that a word documentWhat is the learning Target?I can develop a model of where the Solar System is in the milky way. What is in the Power Point?two truths and a lie fun warm up about the size of our solar system compared to the galaxy we live inEngaging video that shows our place in space Instructions for the activity that students will do on the word documentWhat is the word docum

I was not able to locate online a global warming lab that I like so I put together my own. This lab tests if CO2 increases temperature in atmosphere. Students greatly enjoyed this lab. It opened many of their minds who were closed off to climate change. This product consists of instructions with background information, objective, materials (simple), procedure, and assist with analysis and conclusion. Can be for middle or high school. I also included a "Waiting Room" portion where they are answer

Thank you for tuning in to Science with Simons!! Are you looking to extend student learning beyond the four walls of your classroom? Then you have landed at the right resource for you and your students! What is the purpose of this project? Provide awareness of the environmental issues on a local and global levelEmpower students to do the research and get involved with how to stop itWhat does this resource include? Clear and extensive detailed instructions of the expectations of the projectGuided

Welcome to Science with Simons!It is that time to teach the students the Scientific Method again! You could use this resource for a pre-assessment, formative assessment, summative-assessment or a combination of all of them. What does this product include?Student version and Teacher version of the quiz (17 Questions)What is included in the quiz? Listing 6 steps of Scientific MethodTypes of variablesObservation vs InferenceAnalyzing a graph I created and moreI hope you enjoy! As always, thank yo

This is a simple 1-page info sheet for students to keep to help them understand Independent and Dependent Variables. I would recommend printing this out for students to keep and refer back to in their notebooks. I have taught this for years and I have found this info to be really helpful.

Welcome to Simons Science! Are you looking for a Power Point to introduce Earth's Atmosphere? In this resource I have created a 2 day 26 slide Power Point that is a great introduction to this Unit. In this Power Point I discuss:What is the Earth's Atmosphere?Why it is Important?Earth's atmospheric compositionEarth's atmospheric Layers (graphic organizer template in power point for them to set up for notes)Multiple warm-up questions and exit questionsI highly recommend you also purchasing the "A

This test is based on Chapter 4.1 Ecosystems and 4.2 Evolution of Heithaus and Arms Environmental Science Textbook. It is 12 fill in the blank (6 per section) 15 multiple choice and 3 short answer. I believe it is important to have a mixture of each on a test. Surprisingly, some students do better with short answer and fill in the blank than multiple choice. Therefore, I provided a variety of each. Some vocabulary words from this test are: organism, population, community, ecosystem, habitat, evo