Teacher Guides

Download complete instructional guides with teacher background information, classroom lessons and supporting materials created by teams of educators, scientists and healthcare specialists. Some guides also are available in print format.

Air
Teacher Guide
Students explore basic concepts related to air and the atmosphere, air quality, and associated issues, such as allergens in the places we live, study, and work. (11 activities)
Alcohol
Teacher Guide
The Alcohol teaching unit tackles the tough subject of alcohol and alcoholism with candor backed by cutting-edge scientific research. Hands-on activities make students think about alcohol in a totally different way. (9 activities)
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)
Ants in Space
Teacher Guide
Students conduct open-ended investigations on the search patterns of pavement ants in Earth's gravity and compare them to experiments conducted in microgravity aboard the Space Station.
Brain Chemistry
Teacher Guide
Students learn about the brain, neurons, chemical communication in the body, and how our choices can affect brain function and performance. (9 activities)
Brain Comparisons
Teacher Guide
Students learn the brain has three main parts, the skull provides protection for the brain, brains differ in size and shape among animals, and more. (6 activities)
Butterflies in Space
Teacher Guide
Students conduct open-ended scientific investigations to learn how gravity and microgravity affect the life cycle of painted lady (Vanessa cardui) butterflies.
Complex Traits
Teacher Guide
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. (6 activities)
Food
Teacher Guide
Students investigate food sources, food webs and food chains, healthy eating and food groups, food safety, and overall nutrition. (11 activities)
Food and Fitness
Teacher Guide
Students examine their individual energy and nutritional needs, learn about calories and true portion sizes, and use what they've learned to create special dietary needs menus. (7 activities)
Global Atmospheric Change
Teacher Guide
Students investigate different sources of energy and how they can affect the atmosphere and global ecology. (11 activities)
Heart and Circulation
Teacher Guide
Students investigate the heart's structure and function, blood pathways, how volumes of blood are moved through the body, and the effects of microgravity on the heart. (9 activities)
HIV/AIDS
Teacher Guide
Students read essays, conduct activities, and use actual data from the CDC and other sources to learn about HIV/AIDS and the spread of disease. (5 activities, 5 essays)
Human Microbiome
Teacher Guide
Students explore the human microbiome through scientific articles, in-depth and hands-on activites, and by answering thought-provoking questions. (6 activities)
Invisible Threats
Teacher Guide
How can we protect ourselves and animals from infectious diseases? Students explore the U.S. polio epidemic, 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)
K-1: The Senses
Teacher Guide
Students learn about the brain, skull and sensory system; investigate sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch; and discover how the brain and the senses are connected. (9 activities)

Grades: K-2
Living Things and Their Needs
Teacher Guide
The Living Things and Their Needs Teacher's Guide provides resources that allow very young students to explore living and nonliving things and learn about the basic needs of plants, animals, and people. (10 activities)

Grades: K-2
Memory and Learning
Teacher Guide
Students discover how their brains store and retrieve information and, subsequently, how to be more effective learners. (7 activities)
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)
Motor System
Teacher Guide
Students investigate the brain and motor system, including the anatomy of motor neurons and their function, voluntary and involuntary movements, and how muscles and nerves produce movement. (10 activities)