This pathway highlights some of the features and content types on LabXchange that allow researchers and those interested in research to connect and share their experiences.

Progress in science comes from sharing ideas and expanding on the work of others. LabXchange helps preserve the research of young scientists through our case study asset, which makes it easy to share and communicate research with others. By constructing a case study, students learn to communicate science in a concise and accessible way and model the formats used by professional scientists.

Students learn about power generation using river currents. A white paper is a focused analysis often used to describe how a technology solves a problem. In this literacy activity, students write a simplified version of a white paper on an alternative electrical power generation technology. In the process, they develop their critical thinking skills and become aware of the challenge and promise of technological innovation that engineers help to make possible. This activity is geared towards fifth grade and older students and computer capabilities are required. Some portions of the activity may be appropriate with younger students. CAPTION: Upper Left: Trey Taylor, President of Verdant Power, talks about green power with a New York City sixth-grade class. Lower Left: Verdant Power logo. Center: Verdant Power's turbine evaluation vessel in New York's East River. In the background is a conventional power plant. Upper Right: The propeller-like turbine can be raised and lowered from the platform of the turbine evaluation vessel. Lower Right: Near the East River, Mr. Taylor explains to the class how water currents can generate electric power.

In this activity students will observe and investigate rocks in order to classify them in terms of color, shape, texture and size.

This pathway provides an introduction to LabXchange, how it can support learners and educators, and the types of content you can find on LabXchange.

International markets are very important to soybean farmers across the globe. In this unit, students in a Spanish language class will explore the idea of a bioeconomy and research case studies of Spanish-speaking countries trying to compete in the global marketplace by growing soybeans. This curriculum has been designed as a transdisciplinary 2-week unit using the theme of sustainability to combine proficiency-based world language pedagogy with the real-world relevance of problem-based learning at the heart of STEM education. This unit features 5 lessons and 17 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

What do you know about genetic modification? Is genetic modification helpful or harmful? This unit will help to develop student thinking about genetic modification and food security issues around the world by discussing CODEX, an international set of rules governing food safety and regulation, and how those rules work in various countries. The case for labeling genetically modified foods has raised controversy here and abroad. This set of lessons attempts to look at the differences between genetically modified and non-genetically modified foods, and the case for and against mandatory labeling of foods across the world. This unit features 5 lessons and 11 file.s. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Many people are thinking about these questions prompted by the mantra “Buy Local.” But much of our food has been shipped by barge, ridden on rails and rolled on the road in trucks. Without infrastructure and supply chains, most of our goods and services, and in particular food, would not be available for us to consume.

This set of lessons helps students to answer: What is the function of global trade and what are the terms associated with trade? Why is global trade important? Why and how does agricultural trade link world economies and what different careers are available because of this? This unit features 4 lessons and 13 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

What’s happening to honey bees? This unit contains three different ways to learn about honey bees and pollinators: a video for all to learn more about bees and how to successfully keep them, a problem-based learning unit to support populations of pollinators aimed at elementary students and a problem-based learning unit including forensic skills for middle/high school. This unit features 4 lessons and 9 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

In this threaded PBL*, (an effort to integrate agricultural understandings into the normal sequence of an Environmental Science classroom) students will conduct several “close reads” (reading for understanding, analysis and application) which expose students to the science and engineering that is required to understand what farmers have to consider as they produce crops. These close reads take complex content and make it readable for students who are in middle school or high school and allow the teacher to incorporate literacy skills within their classroom. In the last section, students will conduct a real life simulation that illustrates a decision-making process to determine the application of chemicals to a fictional farm while addressing the needs of controlling specific nuisance weeds. Students will take a position on the application of chemicals to a field and defend their statement. This unit features 7 lessons and 12 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

The US EPA has set water quality standards in accordance with the Clean Water Act: Water quality standards are important because they help to protect and restore the quality of the Nation’s surface waters, consistent with the requirements of the Clean Water Act. Standards help to identify water quality problems caused by, for example, improperly treated wastewater discharges, runoff or discharges from active or abandoned mining sites, sediment, fertilizers, and chemicals from agricultural areas, and erosion of stream banks caused by improper grazing practices.* The impacts of nitrates and phosphates on water have been gaining increased press. But, from the list above, one can see that these are not the only impacts that need attention.

* water.epa.gov This unit features 3 lessons and 9 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Understand and appreciate food producers through this case study and determine what decisions must be made on a yearly, monthly, or daily basis to maintain an environmental system that will continue to produce food and products to meet consumer demands while maintaining soil and water quality. This unit features 3 lessons and 7 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Introduction to Sociology 2e adheres to the scope and sequence of a typical, one-semester introductory sociology course. It offers comprehensive coverage of core concepts, foundational scholars, and emerging theories, which are supported by a wealth of engaging learning materials. The textbook presents detailed section reviews with rich questions, discussions that help students apply their knowledge, and features that draw learners into the discipline in meaningful ways. The second edition retains the book’s conceptual organization, aligning to most courses, and has been significantly updated to reflect the latest research and provide examples most relevant to today’s students. In order to help instructors transition to the revised version, the 2e changes are described within the preface.

Differentiate between four kinds of research methods: surveys, field research, experiments, and secondary data analysis
Understand why different topics are better suited to different research approaches

The goal of this activity is to understand how techniques of persuasion (including background, supporting evidence, storytelling and the call to action) are used to develop an argument for or against a topic. Students develop an environmental case study for presentation and understand how a case study is used as an analysis tool.

Psychology is designed to meet scope and sequence requirements for the single-semester introduction to psychology course. The book offers a comprehensive treatment of core concepts, grounded in both classic studies and current and emerging research. The text also includes coverage of the DSM-5 in examinations of psychological disorders. Psychology incorporates discussions that reflect the diversity within the discipline, as well as the diversity of cultures and communities across the globe.Senior Contributing AuthorsRose M. Spielman, Formerly of Quinnipiac UniversityContributing AuthorsKathryn Dumper, Bainbridge State CollegeWilliam Jenkins, Mercer UniversityArlene Lacombe, Saint Joseph's UniversityMarilyn Lovett, Livingstone CollegeMarion Perlmutter, University of Michigan

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Describe the different research methods used by psychologists
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of case studies, naturalistic observation, surveys, and archival research
Compare longitudinal and cross-sectional approaches to research