Undergraduate Learning Assistants have been used to facilitate group work in a variety of ways, such as in-lecture tutorials and worksheets, group work in required recitations, and group work in optional co-seminars. This page describes some of these various ways that Learning Assistants can be used to help make a course more interactive.

Video clips from federal and regional agencies show scientists at work with tools used to collect data about the climate and weather. This article, from the free, online magazine Beyond Weather and the Water Cycle, will help students visualize the tools and how they are used in the atmosphere, at sea, and other hard-to-access locations.

This is a computer lab activity where students view images of stars, nebulas, and galaxies and discover factors in telescope design that allow scientists to study the universe. The students will write questions about the images and produce a power point presentation on features of the universe.

Take control of a virtual car and learn how vectors are used to represent velocity and acceleration in this interactive activity developed for Teachers' Domain. Grades 6-12.

This is a virtual lab activity on the photoelectric effect based on a Java applet simulation of the experiment.

In Visceral Science learners will have a chance to build stars, solar systems, and see how they end. To prepare them for this experience these short videos will introduce some important concepts like how stars & planets form, why planets stay in orbit, what happens when stars get older, and much more!

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Internet Connectivity, Laptop/Desktop or VR Headset, VR Headset (Optional).

Students study the physical properties of different fluids and investigate the relationship between the viscosities of liquid and how fast they flow through a confined area. Student groups conduct a brief experiment in which they quantify the flow rate to understand how it relates to a fluid's viscosity and ultimately chemical composition. They explore these properties in milk and cream, which are common fluids whose properties (and even taste!) differ based on fat content. They examine control samples and unknown samples, which they must identify based on how fast they flow. To identify the unknowns requires an understanding of the concept of viscosity. For example, heavy cream flows at a slower rate than skim milk. Ultimately, students gain an understanding of the concept of viscosity and its effect on flow rate.

In this ZOOM video segment, cast member Francesco follows the paper trail to find out what happens to his recyclables. He visits a material recovery center and learns how paper is recycled and the number of trees that are saved as a result.

In this adapted video segment, ZOOM guest Laura shows us some of the natural features of Yellowstone National Park, including geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots, as well as some of the wildlife.

This interactive resource adapted from the National Park Service illustrates the difference between explosive and effusive volcanic eruptions as well as the hazards that can result, including lahars, tsunamis, and lava flows.

This interactive resource adapted from the National Park Service illustrates the variety of landforms and features created by volcanoes. Featured are calderas, craters, fumaroles and other geothermal features, igneous rocks, lava flows, lava tubes, and maars.

Ever wonder how a battery works? This segment highlights voltaic cells, their various components and how they operate.

In this video segment from TV411, WNBA player Olympia Scott Richardson discusses her techniques for effective time management.

This activity provides students with a first look at water tension and its role in the life of a water strider.

This activity provides students with a first look at water tension and its role in the life of a water strider.

In this podcast, learn about student misconceptions about heat and activities that target them.

Investigate the effect of gravity on objects of various mass during free fall. Predict what the position-time and velocity-time graphs will look like. Compare graphs for light and heavy objects. Was Galileo Right is the last of five SmartGraphs activities designed for a typical physical science unit of study on the motion of objects.

This activity investigates water when it freezes and how other solid items sink or float in water.

In this science lab, students investigate Newton's Laws of Motion. Students will make and fly water bottle rockets, as well as measure the height of each rocket's flight.