Lesson Plan Index
General Science
- Measure to Measure Lesson
- This multi-page lesson guides students in building open boxes out of a paper grid in an attempt to optimize, or make as perfect as possible, the surface area and volume of the box. Contributed by The Shodor Foundation's Mentor Center (SSEP awardee) Program.
- Paper Science Lab
- This three part lab leads teachers and students through the papermaking process. Contributed by Performing Inquiry based Exploration (SSEP awardee) Program.
- Carbonated Soda Lab
- In this two-part lab, students determine the amount of sugar in several different brands of soda and compare the properties of diet and regular soda. The lab is intended to teach students about density.
- Tree Identification Lab
- This lab focuses on the characteristics of trees including leaf shape, flower type, etc. Students are challenged to identify trees they see by their characteristics.
- DNA Extraction Lab
- This lab can be done with materials commonly found in your kitchen and can easily be done at home. This lab may be used to teach students about the components of a cell by separating the DNA from the rest of the cells contents.
- Explorations of the Heart
- An interactive computer model of the heart supplements two hands-on activities and a short reading about the heart and circulatory system.
- Internet Problem Solving Activity
- In this activity, contributed by the Campbell University STEP Program students use the Internet to research a scientific problem. The use of science mentors and cooperative learning is emphasized.
- Ink Chromatography
- This activity allows students to examine different pens and determine which pen wrote a note. It teaches students to narrow down possible pens using chromatographs.
- Dead Body Decomposition Applet
- This applet allows students to examine the variables that might influence the rate at which a dead body, exposed to the elements, decomposes.
- Penicillin Dosing Exercise (Educational Only!)
- In this pharmacokinetics exercise, students learn to consider the different variables that come into play when doctors have to dose individuals of variable body sizes.
- Engineers in Training
- This interactive, hands-on lesson plan developed by The Shodor Education Foundation, Inc. teaches students about basic engineering. Students use Legos® to examine structural balance.
- Population Genetics
- Here students can learn, through hands-on exploration, about population genetics; natural selection and genetic drift.
Science Behind the Movies
- Dr. Doolittle®
- This activity allows students to examine the validity of the scientific concepts investigated in the movie Dr. Doolittle.
- Jurassic Park®
- This lesson, created by a Shodor Mentor Center (SSEP awardee) intern, teaches students about DNA and genetic engineering, important concepts to help students understand the science behind Jurassic Park®.
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