This classroom activity will show students that there is a lot we don't know about science, for example life throughout the universe. It will hopefully encourage students to question what we know and don't know, and exploration and study of the unknown.

How do the differences in adaptations of African and Asian elephants reflect the habitats in which they live? For grades 4-6 from the Connections to Africa program. It is an activity designed to get students to think critically about problem-solving. This activity is designed to start your students in recognizing themselves as scientists and thinking critically about problem-solving. The goal is to teach concepts through discovery and to encourage using scientific thought processes. As with all lessons provided, please feel free to adapt them according to your students’ abilities. You may find it more successful to lead activities and discussions as a whole group rather than using individual Research Plan sheets. Certain scientific vocabulary may or may not be appropriate for your students’ level of understanding. Take these ideas, make them your own and your students will have a greater chance at success.

This activity first asks the students to study the patterns of bird flight and understand that four main forces affect the flight abilities of a bird. They will study the shape, feather structure, and resulting differences in the pattern of flight. They will then look at several articles that feature newly designed planes and the birds that they are modeled after. The final component of this activity is to watch the Nature documentary, "Raptor Force" which chronicles the flight patterns of birds, how researchers study these animals, and what interests our military and aeronautical engineers about these natural adaptations. This activity serves as an extension to the biomimetics lesson. Although students will not be using this information in the design process for their desert resort, it provides interesting information pertaining to the current use of biomimetics in the field of aviation. Students may extend their design process by using this information to create a means of transportation to and from the resort if they chose to.

Spreadsheets across the Curriculum Module. Students build a spreadsheet to calculate proper medicine dosages using the metric system.

In this Interactive Lecture Demonstration, students will predict the main issues that might be included in short French language videos treating topics such as endangered species, organic farming, the effect of aerosols on the environment, pollution and sustainable development. They will then view short videos on the topics and reflect on how their prior assumptions meshed with reality.

Students are introduced to the classification of animals and animal interactions. Students also learn why engineers need to know about animals and how they use that knowledge to design technologies that help other animals and/or humans. This lesson is part of a series of six lessons in which students use their growing understanding of various environments and the engineering design process, to design and create their own model biodome ecosystems.

Students will read and observer ants to discover how ants are the same and different than people.

See the many birds that spend their summer in the Arctic in this video segment from Nature. [2:52]

See the many birds that spend their summer in the Arctic in this video segment from Nature.

This example Socratic questioning page provides an outline for leading a classroom discussion regarding whether or not nanobacteria exist. Sample questions, resources for background information, and tips and assessment information are provided.

After your group explores the Arcadia Earth app section titled Keep the Great Lakes GREAT! and are introduced to challenges the amazing Great Lakes face, learners investigate their own use of a precious resource, water. The lesson culminates with learners developing strategies to conserve water and identifying how they can play a part in keeping our Great Lakes Great!

Estimated time required: 1 class period.

Technology required for this lesson: Tablet or Smartphone.

In this lesson, students will use the Aurelia app to learn about aquatic ecosystems. This is lesson one of five, which is designed to be taught in a sequence.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Augmented Reality, Smartphone.

In this lesson, students will use the Aurelia app to learn about aquatic ecosystems. This is lesson two of five, which is designed to be taught in a sequence.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Augmented Reality, Smartphone.

In this lesson, students will use the Aurelia app to learn about aquatic ecosystems, the fish that live there, and the traits of different fish that make them more or less successful in each aquatic ecosystem. This is lesson three of five, which is designed to be taught in a sequence.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Augmented Reality, Smartphone.

In this lesson, students will use the Aurelia app to learn about aquatic ecosystems, the fish that live there, and the traits of different fish that make them more or less successful in each aquatic ecosystem. This is lesson four of five, which is designed to be taught in a sequence.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Augmented Reality, Smartphone.

In this lesson, students will use the Aurelia app to learn about aquatic ecosystems, the fish that live there, and the traits of different fish that make them more or less successful in each aquatic ecosystem. This is lesson five of five, which is designed to be taught in a sequence.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Augmented Reality, Smartphone.

The BSCS Seminar Series brings distinguished speakers to share ideas and present their latest work to our community conversations. Click the links to find information about speakers and links to their talks.

A collection of five interactive activities and labs to help young learners understand science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts while also actively experiencing the engineering design process. This resource includes both educator and family guides, materials lists, and extension activities. Activities include an introduction to scientists, engineering, and the design process; designing an oven; ice cream and slime; movement; and growing a plant.

A collection of five interactive activities and labs to help young learners understand science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts while also actively experiencing the engineering design process. This resource includes an educator guide, materials list, and extension activities. Activities include an introduction to the engineering design process; magnetic energy; states of matter life cycle; and genetics.

A collection of four interactive activities and labs to help young learners understand science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts while also actively experiencing the engineering design process. This resource includes an educator guide, materials list, and extension activities. Activities include an introduction to the engineering design process; egg drop engineering; creating a periscope; ecosystems; plant structures and processes; and astronomy.