The interactions of electrons with matter have great explanatory power and are central to many technologies from transistors, diodes, smoke detectors, and dosemeters to sophisticated imaging, lasers, and quantum computing. A conceptual grasp of the interactions of electrons in general allows students to acquire deeper understanding that can be applied to a very broad range […]
Use a series of interactive models and games to explore electrostatics. Learn about the effects positive and negative charges have on one another, and investigate these effects further through games. Learn about Coulomb’s law and the concept that both the distance between the charges and the difference in the charges affect the strength of the […]
In this activity, you will build an “air conditioner” that just uses water and a fan.
Investigate how atoms can be excited to give off radiation (photons) with models of electron energy diagrams. Explore the effects of energy levels in atoms through interactive computer models. Learn about the different electron orbitals of an atom, and explore three-dimensional models of the atoms. Learn about photons and why they are emitted, and gain […]
The goal of this activity is to give students the opportunity to “think like a scientist,” making hypotheses, doing experiments, making observations, and analyzing data. Students are encouraged to construct and conduct their own experiments with ecosystems comprising grass, rabbits, and up to two predator species: hawks and foxes. (Evolution Readiness Activity 10 of 10.)
Learn about exponential decay in real-world situations. Problems involve the application of depreciation of an asset and radioactive decay. Learn to apply exponential decay equations and interpret graphs. This is the last of three activities for teaching and learning about exponential functions in algebra: Graphing Exponential Equations; Exponential Growth; and Exponential Decay. » Lesson Plan […]
Learn about exponential growth in real-world situations. Problems involve the application of compound interest and exponential population growth. This is the second of three activities for teaching and learning about exponential functions in algebra: Graphing Exponential Equations, Exponential Growth and Exponential Decay. » Lesson Plan and Student Assessment documents are also available.
Explore how protein folding creates distinct, functional proteins by examining each of the four different levels of protein structure.
What if there were no friction? This unit explores the role of friction in everyday life.
What if there were no friction? This unit explores the role of friction in everyday life.