Stellar Science Lessons

This includes a lab experiment, data collection and presentation in the form of a table and graph, plus conclusion questions. Includes assessment lists for the lab and the explanation.To student: Your job is to determine which kind of salt does a better job of melting ice. You will write a one-paragraph explanation of which type of salt works best and why it works best.

Best in a unit about arthropods, or learning how to use a microscope (why not both? ) To the student: Your task is to make a detailed scientific drawing of the heads of two insects. Draw the head of an insect that is a pest and the head of an insect that is helpful.You will need microscopes and insects, or a facsimile thereof.Includes lab direction and assessment list.

A challenging set of puzzles, not tacked-on barely science generic puzzles, but genuine evolution and genetic puzzles! Students will need to have experience with dihybrid crosses, Punnet squares, dichotomous keys, evolution of the horse, protein coding, radioactive decay, and cytochrome C comparisons. Each puzzle is a completely different set of challenges, from decoding, cross-discipline learning, and higher order thinking, to using the internet and smartphone skills.

Using turkey bones and soda, have students evaluate the cause/effect of calcium deficiency on bone strength and bone density.

Best used as a possible Science Fair project, independent study, homeschool, or highly motivated students. Includes instructions and assessment list. Students will need access to recycled materials, at least one population of either red worm (250) or earth worms, and daily vegetation. Students will need parent support and permission, as the farm stays in the student home. To the student: Your task is to invent a worm farm for the home or apartment that can recycle old, raw vegetables into new s

This is a challenging and cross-discipline activity. It is best used with the music/band teacher's input, along with support by the art teacher. Very suitable for an independent project, Science Fair project, homeschool project. Students will need access to lots of different types of recycled materials, so plan accordingly. If done entirely in class (recommended) it will take several days, depending on the age and experience of the students involved. To the student: Your task is to invent a mu

Simple class activity to encourage students to evaluate the efficacy of aerobic exercises. Students should be comfortable with data collection, graphing, and writing a summary with a conclusion. Includes task and assessment list. To student: Your job is to collect some data on how aerobic exercises influence your body's cardiovascular system. You will measure the influences that during one minute of two different aerobic exercises, have on the rate of your heartbeat, and use a bar graph to disp

A good introduction lab to the methodology of forensics. Students should have an understanding of data collection, chart and graph construction, and writing conclusions. No materials beyond metric meter sticks are required.

A simple lab to teach students how to test and evaluate their heart rate under different activity levels. Also includes 2 additional micro labs. Includes questions and an answer key. Can be used as an introductory or summative lab.

Focusing on van Helmont's experiment, students work out from where and how trees can grow from soil and water.

Students will use phone technology and their science class learning to identify science elements within a typical school courtyard. Access to free iPhone apps is strongly recommended (substitutions can be found online).

This would be used in lieu of a quiz or test to demonstrate competency in understanding of “For Every Action There Is an Equal and Opposite Reaction." Includes task and assessment list.

The goal of this activity is to provide students with various opportunities to understand the physical importance of the opposable thumb among primates.

Students perform lab to determine the contributing factors to the reaction of hydrogen peroxide.

Students model how some insects use their sense of smell to find others of their kind.

Students test their reaction time with a partner and record data.

Can be an introductory lab for small lab groups, or a teacher demo. Includes homework, notes (cloze and complete), and Slides presentation of the notes.

Minilab t o show that molecules consist of smaller molecules (or atoms) bound together and that those bonds contain energy that is released when the bonds are broken. Comes with lab questions.

Introduce K-2 to the scientific method using a few gummy bears for them to test, and then analyze using their senses.

Fun intro lab to show how buoyancy can support objects more dense than the water they are in.