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Invisible Threats
Teacher Guide
How can we protect ourselves and animals from infectious diseases? Students explore the U.S. polio epidemic, investigate different diseases and vaccinations used to fight them, the concept of herd immunity, EEHV that can kill baby Asian elephants, and the link between climate change and disease. (8 activities)

Grades: 6-8 9-12
Complex Traits
Slide Set
Students use the domestic dog as a model to learn about genetics, DNA, genetic testing, phenotypes, alleles, SNPs, and mutations related to desirable and/or harmful effects in certain dog breeds.

Grades: 6-8 9-12
Allergies and Allergens
Teacher Guide
The Allergy Busters Teacher’s Guide uses an integrated approach including survey techniques and graphing to help students learn about allergies and allergy-causing organisms. (8 activities)

Grades: 3-5
Roller Coasters
Lesson
Students build roller coasters from foam insulation tubing and use marbles as the roller coaster cars.

Grades: 6-8
Static Electricity
Presentation
Electrify your science teaching! Static electricity is an electric charge on the surface of an object. Watch the sparks produced by a Van de Graaff generator, find out how lightning is created, and see how static charges attract and repel.
Viruses
Slide Set
Viruses have always lived among humans, and they killed many millions of people. As scientists discover the chemical rules by which each virus plays, they can begin to control how a virus affects us.
Genetics and Inheritance
Lessons
Patterns of inheritance, Mendelian genetics, variation of traits, pedigrees
Plants in Space
Mission Page
Use Wisconsin FastPlants^® to investigate plant root growth and compare seedlings in class to ones grown in space.

Grades: 3-5 6-8 9-12
Simple and Compound Machines
Teacher Guide
Student teams use the 2017 Hess Dump Truck and Loader to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics concepts. Hands-on activities engage students in powerful STEM learning experiences that are captivating and exciting! (8 activities)

Grades: 3-5 6-8 9-12
Microbes
Teacher Guide
Students explore microbes that impact our health (e.g., bacteria, fungi, protists and viruses), and learn that microbes play key roles in the lives of humans, sometimes causing disease. (12 activities)

Grades: 6-8
Mass
Presentation
Learn the difference between mass and weight.
Butterflies in Space
Mission Page
Follow life cycle of painted lady butterflies on ISS. Grow your own butterflies in class, and compare them to the space butterflies.

Grades: 3-5 6-8 9-12
The Global Carbon Cycle
Presentation
Join Nancy Moreno, PhD, as she discusses Earth’s atmosphere, climate change, factors that influence the atmosphere, and other topics related to our planet’s carbon cycle.
Legacy of Lost Canyon
Reading
Adolescent friends investigate ancient cave ruins, and learn how and why drugs were used to create cave art.

Grades: 6-8 9-12
Measuring and Counting with a Light Microscope
Slide Set
Learn how to calibrate a light microscope for measurement, how to estimate field diameter, and how to count the number of objects in a single field.
The Cinnamon Challenge
Hot Topic
The “Cinnamon Challenge” is a social phenomenon, spread largely through social media, which carries serious risks. Remarkably, people who participate in this “challenge” willingly accept entirely avoidable risk, even though there is no apparent benefit. The rise of the “Cinnamon Challenge” demonstrates how social media can quickly spread a cultural trend among teenagers, comedians, NBA players, and even politicians.
Bird Flu, Updated
Hot Topic
Bird flu is once again in the news. Cases of human infection with the H7N9 subtype of influenza A have been reported in China. This subtype of the virus already spreads more easily from birds to humans than H5N1 did, and there is concern that it might adapt to be sustainably transmitted from human to human. This, of course, is the recipe for a pandemic.
Japanese Earthquake and Tsunamis: Before and After
Hot Topic
On March 11, 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck northeastern Japan. The earthquake, aftershocks and related tsunamis devastated miles of the Japanese coastline.