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National Science Teachers Association

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National Science Teachers Association Collection Resources (29)

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  • NGSS@NSTA
Color Variation over Time in Rock Pocket Mouse Populations
Color Variation over Time in Rock Pocket Mouse Populations
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This activity provides an introduction to natural selection and the role of ...

This activity provides an introduction to natural selection and the role of genetic variation by asking students to analyze illustrations of rock pocket mouse populations (dark/light fur) on different color substrates in the Sonoran Desert (light/dark) over time. Based on this evidence, and what they learn about variation and natural selection in the accompanying short film, students use this evidence to explain the change in the rock pocket mouse populations on the lava flow (dark substrate) over time. This is one of several classroom activities, focusing on related topics and varying in complexity, built around the short film. This ten minute film shows adaptive changes in rock pocket mouse populations, demonstrating the process of natural selection and can be accessed at http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/making-fittest-natural-selection-and-adaptation. The film is also available as an interactive video with embedded questions, which test students’ understanding as they watch the film. 

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Subject:
Health, Medicine and Nursing
Biology
Genetics
Material Type:
Lesson Plan
Provider:
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Provider Set:
NGSS@NSTA
Author:
Mary Colvard
Date created
29-ذو الحجة-1436
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DNA to Protein
DNA to Protein
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This online interactive module of 10 pages or frames integrates textual information, ...

This online interactive module of 10 pages or frames integrates textual information, 3D molecular models, interactive molecular simulations, and embedded assessment items to guide students in understanding the copying of DNA base sequences from translation to transcription into proteins within each cell. The module divides the exercises in to Day 1 and Day 2 time frames. Teachers can view student assessment responses by assigning the module within a class created within the Molecular Workbench application. This Java-based module must be downloaded to each computer. 

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Subject:
Biology
Material Type:
Simulation
Provider:
Concord Consortium
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Provider Set:
NGSS@NSTA
Date created
29-ذو الحجة-1436
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The Day the Mesozoic Died
The Day the Mesozoic Died
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This three-act film tells the story of the detective work that solved ...

This three-act film tells the story of the detective work that solved the mystery of what caused the disappearance of the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period. Shot on location in Italy, Spain, Texas, Colorado, and North Dakota, the film traces the uncovering of key clues that led to the discovery that an asteroid struck the Earth 66 million years ago, triggering a mass extinction of animals, plants, and microorganisms. Science practices in geology, physics, biology, chemistry and paleontology all contributed to the solution to this compelling mystery. Lesson plans are included that have students identify evidence and construct an explanation to tie it together. Summary questions are included at the end and a class discussion is recommended. (This activity will be the only one evaluated in this review.) Another resource is “Finding the Crater” where students “visit” different K-T boundary sites. There are also lessons where students analyze various characteristics of the asteroid such as its size and energy, chemical data about the asteroid, and the iridium fallout from an asteroid impact. A hands-on activity where students study the differences in foraminifera fossils below and above the K-T boundary is also included as well as an article that outlines more details about each of the discoveries covered in the film. You can view the film on the website or HHMI will send you a free DVD. Lesson plans including teacher notes and a student handout can be found at http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/following-trail-evidence.

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Subject:
Health, Medicine and Nursing
Biology
Genetics
Material Type:
Lesson Plan
Provider:
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Provider Set:
NGSS@NSTA
Author:
Mary Colvard
Date created
29-ذو الحجة-1436
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Dueling Mandates
Dueling Mandates
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Using dilemma cards describing some of the issues affecting Yellowstone National Park, ...

Using dilemma cards describing some of the issues affecting Yellowstone National Park, students work in small groups to consider management issues that meet both of the conflicting mandates that the National Park Service must follow." There are 6 dilemmas that the class can be broken into groups to research. These dilemmas include wolf reintroduction, bison diseases, non-native trout, wildfires, resource sharing, and winter use of park lands. After researching each dilemma, students will make a pros/cons list, a final decision, and a brief presentation to the class. While the website recommends completing this lesson "after the expedition" to Yellowstone park, it can be done without visiting the park.

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Subject:
Biology
Genetics
Material Type:
Lesson Plan
Provider:
California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Provider Set:
NGSS@NSTA
Date created
29-ذو الحجة-1436
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Electromagnetic Power!
Electromagnetic Power!
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Students will investigate the characteristics of electromagnetism and then use what they ...

Students will investigate the characteristics of electromagnetism and then use what they learn to plan and conduct an experiment on electromagnets.

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Subject:
Physics
Material Type:
Lesson Plan
Provider:
Martinson Center for Mathematics and Science, Regent University
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Provider Set:
NGSS@NSTA
Date created
29-ذو الحجة-1436
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Evaporation of Alcohols
Evaporation of Alcohols
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In this lab activity, students use a digital temperature probe to compare ...

In this lab activity, students use a digital temperature probe to compare the temperature changes when four different alcohols evaporate. The analysis questions provided guide students to connecting the energy changes associated with the change of state with the structure of molecules of substances. Before beginning the lab, students are asked to consider the structural formulas of the alcohols used in the lab: methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, and 1-butanol. After collecting data for the first three alcohols, students predict the temperature change for 1-butanol and then collect data to test their prediction. The resource linked here is a sample. More complete information, including teacher’s guide and safety information, is available for purchase from Vernier Software and Technology using the link provided on the final page of the sample.

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Subject:
Physics
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Provider:
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Vernier Software & Technology
Provider Set:
NGSS@NSTA
Date created
29-ذو الحجة-1436
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Exploring Reversible Changes of State and Exploring Irreversible Changes of State
Exploring Reversible Changes of State and Exploring Irreversible Changes of State
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These two lessons work together to explore reversible and irreversible changes of ...

These two lessons work together to explore reversible and irreversible changes of state through guided investigations. The PDF is a set of activities focusing on materials followed by some optional post-activity lessons. Two of these post activity lessons deal with reversible and irreversible changes to materials. The first lesson involves teachers showing students phenomena and then asking the students to generate questions about their observations of the phenomena. The second lesson involves students engaging in investigating, explaining and asking questions about two irreversible changes and using observations to identify what about the changes make them irreversible.

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Subject:
Physics
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Provider:
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
techniquest
Provider Set:
NGSS@NSTA
Date created
29-ذو الحجة-1436
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Graphing the Periodic Table
Graphing the Periodic Table
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This activity provides students the opportunity to explore patterns in the periodic ...

This activity provides students the opportunity to explore patterns in the periodic table. Students have options to display graphs of elements according to their atomic numbers and properties including: molar mass, atomic radius, ionic radius, melting point, boiling point, electronegativity, and ionization energies. Supplement Materials provided with the resource include a background essay and discussion questions. Discussion questions provided for the teacher encourage students to compare the properties of the elements and identify patterns in the properties within element families as well as across periods.

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Subject:
Chemistry
Material Type:
Interactive
Provider:
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
PBS LearningMedia
Provider Set:
NGSS@NSTA
Date created
29-ذو الحجة-1436
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Inspector Detector Challenge
Inspector Detector Challenge
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Students use the engineering design process to design and build magnetic-field detectors, ...

Students use the engineering design process to design and build magnetic-field detectors, and use them to find hidden magnets. Parallels are drawn to real-world NASA missions and how NASA scientists use magnetic field data from planets and moons. The website has video clips, teaching suggestions, a student handout, and a link to the pdf of the Teacher’s Guide for Mission: Solar System. The Inspector Detector challenge is a series of activities that form a unit in the Mission: Solar System collection. * NOTE: The Teacher’s Guide does not contain the lesson plan. You will need to click on the Student Handout heading of the website to download the “Inspector Detector Challenge Leader’s Notes”. 

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Subject:
Physics
Material Type:
Lesson Plan
Provider:
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
WGBH
Provider Set:
NGSS@NSTA
Date created
29-ذو الحجة-1436
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Investigating Photosynthesis
Investigating Photosynthesis
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Students design and conduct simple experiments using elodea (aquatic plant sold in ...

Students design and conduct simple experiments using elodea (aquatic plant sold in pet stores) and Bromthymol blue to determine whether plants consume or release carbon dioxide in the process of photosynthesis. Students will record their data which will be used to conclude whether carbon dioxide was consumed or released by the elodea. Through class discussion of student data, students will learn that carbon dioxide was consumed during photosynthesis.

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Subject:
Biology
Ecology
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Provider:
MNStep
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Provider Set:
NGSS@NSTA
Date created
29-ذو الحجة-1436
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Investigating Reproductive Strategies
Investigating Reproductive Strategies
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Students work in pairs to compare five aspects of an organism that ...

Students work in pairs to compare five aspects of an organism that reproduces sexually, asexually, or both sexually and asexually. The activity comes with a chart for the students to fill out and with information sheets on twelve organisms. As a class, students share their comparisons and generate a list of general characteristics for each mode of reproduction and then discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both. Included in the discussion are reproductive mechanisms and genetic variation.

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Subject:
Biology
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Provider:
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
University of Utah
Provider Set:
NGSS@NSTA
Date created
29-ذو الحجة-1436
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Investigating the Magnetic Force Field: Calculating the Magnetic Pull of a Magnet by Varying Distances
Investigating the Magnetic Force Field: Calculating the Magnetic Pull of a Magnet by Varying Distances
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Students will investigate the magnetic pull of a bar magnet at varying ...

Students will investigate the magnetic pull of a bar magnet at varying distances with the use of paper clips. Students will hypothesize, conduct the experiment, collect the data, and draw conclusions. As a class, students will then compare each team’s data and their interpretation of the results.

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Subject:
Physics
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Provider:
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Science Education Resource Center (SERC) at Carleton College
Provider Set:
NGSS@NSTA
Author:
Daryl Monjeau
Date created
29-ذو الحجة-1436
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Leaf it to Me
Leaf it to Me
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This is one activity that is part of a larger unit on ...

This is one activity that is part of a larger unit on the Hydrologic Cycle. Students place a bag around a living tree limb or bush, making sure it is sealed. The bag is left there for at least 2 hours. Water will have collected in a corner of the bag. Students explore transpiration by capturing water that plants release through their leaves.

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Subject:
Hydrology
Material Type:
Lesson Plan
Provider:
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
National Weather Service
Provider Set:
NGSS@NSTA
Date created
29-ذو الحجة-1436
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The Life of Environments
The Life of Environments
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This 4th grade unit is designed to address the concept that organisms ...

This 4th grade unit is designed to address the concept that organisms sense the environment in order to live. It is a far-ranging and comprehensive unit that is designed to address multiple NGSS performance expectations (4-LS1-2, 4LS1-2, 4-PS3-2, 4-PS4-2) in seven explorative sections, with an additional summative assessment step. STEP 1 - the structure of the unit is introduced and students complete a KWL-type activity. STEP 2 - students make observations outdoors and explore the meaning of alive, eventually developing a model of an environment for seeds, creating it and monitoring the growth of plants over the course of the unit. STEP 3 - students learn about the types of energy organisms perceive through a Reader's Theater activity with material at three differentiated reading levels. STEP 4 - students read about and construct 3-D models of how humans perceive sense information from the environment and convert that energy into a different form that the brain can process to make sense of and respond to stimuli. STEP 5 - students use text and math skills to develop an understanding of the brain's structure and function. STEP 6 - students explore environmental change and the interactions between those changes and the organisms within the environment, and then investigate the effects of varying the environment of the seeds they've been monitoring since being planted in Step 2. STEP 7 - students synthesize their understandings of the unit. They create a model of an imagined environment in small groups, and then construct and write a viable argument as to how their senses could help them survive within this imagined environment. STEP 8 (summative assessment) - students synthesize many of the ideas and practices they have explored during the unit. It is estimated to take at least 11 hours of instruction, although individual steps could be adapted, extended, or done separately to address specific standards.

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Subject:
Biology
Material Type:
Unit of Study
Provider:
Mind My Education
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Provider Set:
NGSS@NSTA
Date created
13-ذو القعدة-1436
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Light Your Way
Light Your Way
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Using the engineering design process,students will be designing and building a lantern ...

Using the engineering design process,students will be designing and building a lantern that they will hypothetically be taking with them as they explore a newly discovered cave. The criteria of the completed lantern will include: hands need to be free for climbing, the lantern must have an on/off switch, it must point ahead when they are walking so they can see in the dark, and the lantern must be able to stay lit for at least 15 minutes. The constraints of the activity will be limited materials with which to build. At the completion of the activity, the students will present their final lantern to the class explaining how they revised and adapted the lantern to meet the criteria of the project. Students will include in the presentation the sketch of the model they created prior to building showing the labeled circuit they designed. This activity was one of numerous engineering lessons from the Virginia Children's Engineering Council geared towards Grades 1-5. http://www.childrensengineering.org/technology/designbriefs.php

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Subject:
Engineering
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Provider:
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Virginia Children's Engineering Council (VCEC)
Provider Set:
NGSS@NSTA
Date created
29-ذو الحجة-1436
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Model Building Activity of Electrostatics
Model Building Activity of Electrostatics
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An interactive simulation in which students use a model of charged objects ...

An interactive simulation in which students use a model of charged objects to explain how charges interact and construct an understanding of Coulomb's Law. It is concerned with comparing ions and neutral atoms. The model allows the user to investigate the relationships between sign of charge, magnitude of charge, and distance between ions. The model illustrates the operation of three types of electroscopes. Next it visually explores how a static charge can bend the path of a moving electron, and then graphically and numerically explores Coulomb's Law. Lastly a model that illustrates polarization of charge illustrates why a charged balloon is attracted to a neutral wall. The system allows students to enter their multiple choice and written answers throughout the activity and generate a report of their responses at the end even if they are not logged into the system.

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Subject:
Physics
Material Type:
Interactive
Provider:
Concord Consortium
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Provider Set:
NGSS@NSTA
Date created
29-ذو الحجة-1436
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Momentum Thinking Problems
Momentum Thinking Problems
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This reference is a series of assessment items that require that the ...

This reference is a series of assessment items that require that the students think through momentum conceptually, analyze graphs related to impulse and momentum, and work through calculations using momentum and impulse. There are energy and momentum problems mixed together in this set. Due to the large number of assessment items, the instructor will want to select a portion of the questions rather than use the entire set as a single assessment. The webpage is formatted in a straight forward text so it is easy to copy and paste the items for use in classroom tests and quizzes. 

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Subject:
Physics
Material Type:
Assessment
Provider:
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
University of Maryland
Provider Set:
NGSS@NSTA
University of Maryland Physics Education Research Group
Author:
Joe Redish
Date created
29-ذو الحجة-1436
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The Needs of Living Things
The Needs of Living Things
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Students watch video clips of animals and plants in their natural environments ...

Students watch video clips of animals and plants in their natural environments to determine what living things need to survive. They will then complete an illustration of their own real or imagined plant or animal fulfilling one or more of their needs for survival, within their natural environment. While this lesson does a good job explaining how animals meet their needs through their environments, additional lessons and experiences with plants would need to be provided in order to meet the full standard.

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Subject:
Biology
Material Type:
Lecture
Provider:
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
WGBH
Provider Set:
NGSS@NSTA
Date created
29-ذو الحجة-1436
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Newton's 2nd law inquiry lab
Newton's 2nd law inquiry lab
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In this physics lab, students investigate the motion of different skateboarders pulled ...

In this physics lab, students investigate the motion of different skateboarders pulled with various values of constant force. Using skateboarders of different masses and a variety of constant force values, students produce distance vs. time motion graphs for a number of skateboarding trials. Students may develop their own methods for setting up the lab and recording the necessary data. Following data collection, students analyze the data using Newton's second law and discuss differences between trials, the effects of friction, and possible sources of error in the experiment.

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Subject:
Physics
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Provider:
MNStep
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Provider Set:
NGSS@NSTA
Author:
Scott Holland
Date created
29-ذو الحجة-1436
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