Science, Inquiry, and

Project-Based Learning

Life, Cells, and Experimental Design

Project-Based Learning/Inquiry

After teaching the nature of science and the scientific method, have your students design experiments to foster self-inquiry. Our "Design Your Own Experiment" activity includes a review of the scientific method through reading, comprehension, and vocabulary matching, followed by a choice of 16 pre-written questions or the option to create their experiments. This assignment is suitable for in-person, homeschooled, or virtual learning with at-home support.

Use your knowledge of cell structure and organelle function to help find a cure for a Zombie Apocolypse

  • PBL - Zombie Apocalypse: (COMING SOON)

Role Audience Format Topic (R.A.F.T.): Be sure to check out our Embedding Literacy page for more templates and ideas. The ‘Embedding Literacy’ link in our Teacher Templates details the versatility and literacy-focused strategies.

AI Creations with Canva: Are you looking to add more creative assignments to the classroom but not sure where to begin? Canva.com is a terrific, student-friendly resource that puts creativity at one’s fingertips. For this assignment, students will use a teacher prompt/task to create an image(s) using Canvas AI “Magic Media” technologies. This allows all students, regardless of their artistic abilities, to generate a creative product using five or more key phrases from a unit.

Miscellaneous:

Human Body Systems

Role Audience Format Topic (R.A.F.T.): Role (R), Audience (A), Format (F), Topic (T): Information with citations on RAFT. A powerful writing strategy, known as R.A.F.T (Role, Audience, Format, Topic), effectively combines literacy and content. To ensure the successful completion of the assignment, we provide students with scaffolded support, which includes access to prior knowledge, engagement, and preparation. Our product includes two pages of detailed instruction, a criteria checklist and organizer, writing prompts, a vocabulary list, an active writing page, and a rubric to assess the final product.

Project-Based Learning/Inquiry

  • After teaching the nature of science and the scientific method, have your students design experiments to foster self-inquiry. Our "Design Your Own Experiment" activity includes a review of the scientific method through reading, comprehension, and vocabulary matching, followed by a choice of 16 pre-written questions or the option to create their experiments. This assignment is suitable for in-person, homeschooled, or virtual learning with at-home support.

  • PBL/Lab -Reflexes and Reactions (COMING SOON)

  • PBL - The Bubbles Plague (COMING SOON)

AI Creations with Canva: Are you looking to add more creative assignments to the classroom but not sure where to begin? Canva.com is a terrific, student-friendly resource that puts creativity at one’s fingertips. For this assignment, students will use a teacher prompt/task to create an image(s) using Canvas AI “Magic Media” technologies. This allows all students, regardless of their artistic abilities, to generate a creative product using five or more key phrases from a unit.

  • AI Creations with Canva (Google Doc, Template)

  • AI Creations with Canva (PDF, Template)

  • AI Creations with Canva - Integumentary System

  • AI Creations with Canva - Skeletal System

  • AI Creations with Canva - Muscular System

  • AI Creations with Canva - Digestive System

  • AI Creations with Canva - Excretory/Urinary System

  • AI Creations with Canva - Circulatory System

  • AI Creations with Canva - Respiratory System

  • AI Creations with Canva - lmmune System

  • AI Creations with Canva - Human Body Systems Review

Miscellaneous:

Genetics and Evolution

Role Audience Format Topic (R.A.F.T.): The ‘Embedding Literacy’ link in our Teacher Templates details the versatility and literacy-focused strategies.

Project-Based Learning/Inquiry

  • After teaching the nature of science and the scientific method, have your students design experiments to foster self-inquiry. Our "Design Your Own Experiment" activity includes a review of the scientific method through reading, comprehension, and vocabulary matching, followed by a choice of 16 pre-written questions or the option to create their experiments. This assignment is suitable for in-person, homeschooled, or virtual learning with at-home support.

  • PBL - Mad Scientist (Evolution) (COMING SOON)

  • PBL - Mad Scientist (Genetic Engineering) (COMING SOON)

Experiments:

  • Lab - Opposable Thumbs: Our hands-on lab is an enjoyable and engaging way for students to explore evolution and test their hypotheses. In this lab, students will design an experiment to investigate how opposable thumbs impact our daily lives. Before testing their hypothesis, the students will be asked to identify a control group, an experimental group, an independent variable, and a dependent variable. A video and CK-12 reading resources are linked within the document for easy review. After that, students will perform four tasks using their thumbs and then repeat these tasks without using their thumbs. They will record their observations and use this data to answer questions about their conclusions. Teachers can easily enrich this lab by asking students to create a bar chart comparing the two groups, test out additional human adaptations, and/or research other adaptations. This lab is designed to be a fun way to introduce adaptations and natural selection. It is perfect for one class session, homeschooling, or virtual learning.

Virtual Index Cards: You can use our Virtual Index Cards on Genetics to help your students improve their vocabulary, knowledge, and memory. You can use our interactive Google Slides to ask your students to define each term and complete the associated tasks, such as drag-and-drop exercises, Venn Diagrams, fill-in-the-blanks drag and drop, and more. We aim to make this Google Sheet an engaging tool for your students to practice and review vocabulary while preparing for assessments. After explicit vocabulary practice, the Virtual Index Cards end with two slides of vocabulary matching and one of Generative Sentences, where students are expected to make sentences using the assigned vocabulary. Last but not least, the Virtual Index Cards end with a student reflection on the comfortability of each subconcept in genetics. Are your students struggling to master the content vocabulary? Each slide contains an embedded link to text (usually with embedded interactives and videos) to provide a quick and easy resource. Use this as a consistent and powerful homework practice or study guide before an exam.

  • Virtual Index Cards - Genetics: These cards contain all the main vocabulary related to introduction to genetics, DNA structure and function, protein synthesis, meiosis, sexual vs asexual reproduction, mutations, RNA, Punnett Squares, and Non-Mendelian genetics, as well as links to CK-12 text/videos/interactives. Please note: genetic engineering/biotechnology and human genetic disorders are not included in this set.

  • Virtual Index Cards - Genetics (PDF Version): Be sure to adjust printer selection/preferences when printing these Google Slides.

AI Creations with Canva: Are you looking to add more creative assignments to the classroom but not sure where to begin? Canva.com is a terrific, student-friendly resource that puts creativity at one’s fingertips. For this assignment, students will use a teacher prompt/task to create an image(s) using Canvas AI “Magic Media” technologies. This allows all students, regardless of their artistic abilities, to generate a creative product using five or more key phrases from a unit.

Miscellaneous:

Ecology

Virtual Index Cards on Ecology: You can use our Virtual Index Cards on Ecology to help your students improve their vocabulary, knowledge, and memory. These cards contain all the main vocabulary related to ecology and links to CK-12 text/videos or Moo Moo Math and Science Videos for each term.

You can use our interactive Google Slides to ask your students to define each term and complete the associated tasks, such as drag and drop exercises, Venn Diagrams, symbol drag and drops, and more. Our goal is to make this Google Sheet an engaging tool for your students to practice and review vocabulary while preparing for assessments. After explicit vocabulary practice, the Virtual Index Cards end with two slides of vocabulary matching and one slide of Generative Sentences, where students are expected to make sentences using the assigned vocabulary. Are your students struggling to master the content vocabulary? Each slide contains an embedded link to a video or text to provide a quick and easy resource. Use this as a consistent and powerful homework practice or as a study guide before an exam!

Role Audience Format Topic (R.A.F.T.): The ‘Embedding Literacy’ link in our Teacher Templates details the versatility and literacy-focused strategies.

Project-Based Learning/Inquiry

  • After teaching the nature of science and the scientific method, have your students design experiments to foster self-inquiry. Our "Design Your Own Experiment" activity includes a review of the scientific method through reading, comprehension, and vocabulary matching, followed by a choice of 16 pre-written questions or the option to create their experiments. This assignment is suitable for in-person, homeschooled, or virtual learning with at-home support.

  • Activity - A Recycled Product: Encourage your students to showcase their creativity by making sustainable crafts from recycled materials. They can create handbags using newspapers or water cans made from water gallons, among other ideas, to adequately demonstrate how we can be more mindful of our waste and recycling habits. This worksheet offers an introduction, instructions, design plan, and photo holders, while also encouraging students to showcase their products or create a video of their product in action. It is ideal for engaging in creative homework, group work activities, or enrichment in Biology, Living Environment, Ecology, or Environmental classes.

  • PBL - Mad Scientist (GMOs) (COMING SOON)

  • PBL - Human Impact Action Plan (COMING SOON)

Fun Worksheets and Activities:

  • Design Your Own Symbiotic Relationship: Looking for a creative way to study symbiosis? After teaching the three types of relationships (parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism), you can assign our "Design A Symbiotic Relationship" for classwork, homework, or group work. In this assignment, students are required to create two species by hand-drawing or using Canva.com. The species must be named and their symbiotic relationship described. Our document includes an introduction, a checklist with five tasks to help students monitor their progress and understand expectations, and an active writing/drawing space. Creativity is encouraged!

  • Ecological Organization Reading and Drawing Activity: This worksheet is ideal for creative classwork or homework exploring the different ecological organization levels. Students can demonstrate their drawing skills while applying ecology vocabulary. Before creating a visual display of each level, students first engage in a quick reading that explores ecological organization vocabulary, including individual organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems. The reading is color-coded to support students with vocabulary retention or application deficits.

  • Sampling Biodiversity (Exploration/Honors): Enriching a class through hands-on exploration can create a long-lasting educational experience. Our project on Sampling Biodiversity explores three methods of sampling the environment and analyzing the biodiversity of an area. The laboratory identifies three methods (quadrant, pitfall traps, and cameras) to analyze biodiversity. Before proceeding with the assignment, students will be introduced to the concept of biodiversity and answer three pre-lab questions. Then, students will choose to set up quadrants, pitfall traps, or cameras in the assigned location, reflect on their sampling setup, record data, analyze the results, and calculate biodiversity.We recommend that the lab be completed with teacher facilitation and oversight to ensure that students are not exposed to any dangerous organisms. Additionally, we suggest that the lab focus on plant life.

  • Ecological Footprint Challenge: Ecological footprints identify how your daily habits (such as what you eat, what fuels your home, how you get around, how much trash you generate, your hygiene, as well as entertainment, hobbies, pastimes, and many more) rely on Earth’s natural and limited resources. Simply, it can measure how many Earths would be needed if everyone lived like you. But we only have one Earth to live on. For this challenge, you will first calculate your ecological footprint, reflect on your current habits, and then challenge yourself to make small yet powerful changes in hopes of lowering your footprint. This activity is a fun way to introduce and hook students into a human impact or sustainability unit or as a fun, hands-on homework assignment. Students are first asked to calculate their footprint using the website provided or the teacher's choice. Then, they reflect on common household/daily habits. Lastly, students challenge themselves to choose 3-5 more sustainable habits and track their progress throughout the week. Lastly, students analyze their data and reflect on their experiences. Virtual learning or trying to assign this for homework? Try our Ecological Footprint challenge (Google Version).

AI Creations with Canva: Are you looking to add more creative assignments to the classroom but not sure where to begin? Canva.com is a terrific, student-friendly resource that puts creativity at one’s fingertips. For this assignment, students will use a teacher prompt/task to create an image(s) using Canvas AI “Magic Media” technologies. This allows all students, regardless of their artistic abilities, to generate a creative product using five or more key phrases from a unit.

Miscellaneous:

Earth and Physical Sciences

Project-Based Learning/Inquiry

Miscellaneous:

AI Creations with Canva: Are you looking to add more creative assignments to the classroom but not sure where to begin? Canva.com is a terrific, student-friendly resource that puts creativity at one’s fingertips. For this assignment, students will use a teacher prompt/task to create an image(s) using Canvas AI “Magic Media” technologies. This allows all students, regardless of their artistic abilities, to generate a creative product using five or more key phrases from a unit.

  • AI Creations with Canva (Google Doc, Template)

  • AI Creations with Canva (PDF, Template)

  • AI Creations with Canva - Geologic History Timeline (PDF) and AI Creations with Canva - Geologic History (Google Docs): In this fun and creative activity, students use their knowledge of Geologic History to generate images that represent the Precambrian and Phanerozoic Eons, and the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic Eras. Students will first brainstorm words representing each division of Earth’s history and then add those words into Canva’s Media Magic, which will generate an image using those words. There are two sections with boxes to check off for additional accountability; one during the initial Canva set-up to access Magic Media, and the other to identify how they are handing in their images (via printing, emailing, or uploading). As an extension, you may put students in groups and have them share out their images; what do they like about their images, or their peers’ images? What would they change? What aspects do they have in common? What other words would they try next time and why? Please note: A computer, tablet, or smart phone is required for this activity. The location of the Media Magic/apps may be at the bottom of the screen instead of the side if using a smart phone.

  • AI Creations with Canva - Mass Extinctions:

Science Electives

  • Veterinary Sciences:

    • Case Study, Canine: This case study is about Mera, a dog brought to the emergency vet services due to hindleg twitching. The study includes two videos of the events and two audio recordings from the owner. The student will use this information, images, and medication list to diagnose the issue and provide a discharge summary. The diagnosis and discharge summary will be compared to a veterinary-grade report. This case study is an excellent way to observe real-world applications of emergency veterinary cases in a fun, informative, and straightforward way.