USGS

 I was browsing the General Science course for 2027/2028.  (Yes, we plan two or three years in advance.) Here and here are the table of contents for both the second and third editions.  I’m looking at the second edition for two reasons: cheaper and has anatomy.  My friend, Christine, just finished teaching the Young Explorers’ Human Anatomy.  However, her class was small.  This fall there are eight young people taking the YE Chemistry and Physics class.  Next year, most of the kiddos will be about 7th graders, a perfect time for General Science.  Most of this group won’t have had any anatomy.  My friend, Jen, wants her daughter to take some.  Problem solved.  We’ll use the second edition.  I also want time to teach experimental design: controlled variables, data, and lab reports etc rather than more earth science.

Both editions have a substantial amount of Geology.  USGS has loads and loads of interesting resources. Seemingly, they have digitized everything—even older resources. Many of the resources below are old—but still useful!  See for yourself.

1. Start with Educational Resources and browse.

2. 3D Paper Models aren’t just templates.  They are packed with information and teacher’s guide.

3.  I have used Land and People resources.  I found the series to be fairly balanced with an emphasis on stewardship.  

4.  This Sea Floor Spreading Model is intended for elementary students, which is hilarious.  Many post-doc presenters do think their material is suitable for K-college. 

5. Take a look at the mineral coloring pages.  

6. Scroll to the bottom of the Classroom Resources page for the Dynamic Earth materials: Teacher’s Guide and The Story of Plate Tectonics, with more links at the bottom.  

7. The Water Resources Education includes a Water Science School with teacher resources and materials, such as The Water Cycle.

Geology

 Hey!  I’m trying to amass loads of ideas by topic.  I’m a little surprised at thr number of ways you can model a landform.  Who knew?  Yes, most of these activities are edible.  Topography, Landforms, and Geomorphology should prove useful.

1. Edible Plate Tectonics: Oreos, Graham Crackers, Milky Way candy bar, and Cake.  You might as well add Edible Earth.

2. Stratigraphy Cake (play dough) is all about fossil layer.

3. Rock Layers Cake or Edible Earth Soil Layers

4. Edible Landforms, Tasty Landforms,

5.  Edible Aquifer

6.  Candy Bar Geology, Chocolate Geology, and a video explanation.

7. Edible Rocks

8. Geology has no edible ideas, such as crayon rocks.

9. Playdough Rock Cycle, Star Burst Rock Cycle, and Crayon Rock Cycle.

10. You may want to try a Landform Project.

Urinalysis

 We just did the Lab-Aids Simulated Urinalysis Lab. 

Last summer I was shopping for lab kits for Advanced Bio (Anatomy) and found the kit on eBay at a terrific price.  (Full disclosure: I had already purchased a simulated urine test kit and had forgotten I bought it.  BTW, notice the kit is listed as ‘distant learning’.  There are a bunch of these kits leftover from COVID, which teachers mailed home for kids to use.  These are intended for individual use—but usually have enough supplies for at least three trials.  They’re great for home-school families or small Co-op groups.)

Back to urinalysis.  Before we did the Lab-Aids lab, we did Urine Luck to review urine tests.  BTW this version has instructions to make your own simulated urine samples to test.  We had the kit.  We just guessed, based on lab results, what each person had, such as an UTI.

The Lab-Aids kit is pretty terrific.  The only additional materials needed are test tubes and beakers for the Benedict’s Test—to make a hot water bath.  You need to tap the specific gravity tube sharply to get results.  I didn’t notice the plastic stir stick on the chem-plate until we were cleaning up.

The lab kit took about 40 minutes to complete. Urine the Know uses glucose and urinalysis strips with this DIY, urine, test kit.

Crystals

Let make crystals, cut and paste crystals, study crystals—all the things!  

1.  Make crystals: Rock Candy, Epsom, Alum, and Borax, and Salt Crystal Garden.  In my experience, the Alum  and liquid bluing crystals work best.  Hey!  It’s fun to try to grow all different crystals. Pipe Cleaner Crystals are cool!

2. Hot Ice is crystalline.  I have done this experiment repeatedly without any luck. Try it anyway.

3. Cut Rock Crystal Shapes.

4. Make an Agate Craft or bake Cake Gems.

5. Look at sugar or salt under the microscope.  Try A Closer Look at Crystals, too.

6. Build 3D Crystal Shapes with marshmallows and toothpicks.

7.  Play with Magic Rocks.  Buy the toy.  Water Glass and the chemical minerals add up quickly.

8. Smash geodes.  Here is how they form.

9.  Make Glow in the Dark Alum crystals 

10.  Play ‘Make Five’ or Gemstone Bingo

How do we tackle POGILS?

 This year, in Advanced Biology (read Anatomy), we’ve used POGIL regularly—most modules.  We used the Anatomy and Physiology activity collection.  College Board hires teacher and college profs to grade the free response questions from AP exams.  I was a Reader and Table Leader for APES, AP Environmental Science.  (AP Reading Schedule)  For years APES and AP Chem were together.  I attended workshops and presentations in the evening, one of which was POGIL, for Chemistry.  It was certainly more useful than the session on how to measure the number of bats by their shadow cast on the moon. (It’s a lunar silhouette count—I thought the speaker was joking!)  

Back to POGIL.  POGIL is supposed to be a group activity using Implementation Tools and Role Cards.  The instructor is a facilitator.  Period.  He or she is supposed to circulate and refer students back to the models in the POGIL exercises, such as this sample exercise.  I knew that approach would never work for my kiddos when I took the workshop.  Even rotating roles, with four kids in a group, there is always a slacker.  How do we approach POGILs?  In Advanced Biology, we all work as one group.  Everyone takes turns answering questions. I might rephrase the question or  point out part of the model. We keep the Advanced Biology textbook out, too.  I have had to resort to Google once or twice, too.  Most of the time, the model supplies all the information necessary to answer the questions.  Since we go over the entire POGIL together, we don’t have a debrief. 

My approach to POGILs is different in Chem or Bio classes.  I will circulate and answer questions.  BTW the teens work in pairs, which usually eliminates slackers.  Ideally, the class can check their answers before the debrief.  During the debrief I always ask, ‘What is the point?’  (Not ‘busy work’.)  Here is a sample Chem POGIL and here is a sample Bio POGIL.

POGIL

What is POGIL?  Here are notes for teachers, Components of the program,   and Implementation Tools.  Here is a guide.  The idea is to use POGIL all year to teach a subject.

POGIL can be used as a curriculum.  I think any class would revolt.  I know I have had bitter complaints when I used a few too many POGIL exercises in class.  I use POGIL activities to supplement instruction.  We did  in Anatomy exercises Advanced Biology about once or twice a month.  How do I use POGILs?  Kiddos work in pairs.  There or four student groups seldom work well.  I circulate.  I also have a key for teens to check their answers after they finish.  Once everyone finishes, we go over the highlights.  

Why do POGIL at all?  The introductory exercises for Biology and Chemistry help kids understand complex ideas with models.  Look at Safety First, Biology Classification, Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells, Organizing Data, and Electron Energy and Light.  For me, these activities are supplemental.  Teens read the modules in their textbooks at home.  We do loads of labs and hands-on activities.  While I do direct instruction, I’m looking for different approaches.  Long lectures just don’t work well.  POGIL is another method to convey ideas and concepts, while working as a team.

Lab-Aids Kits

 I have a few Lab-Aids Kits and Modules. Which kits are worth the investment?  I look for kits with longevity.  Remember, I teach Co-op, high school-level classes every year.  Originally, I bought a vintage Lab-Aids, Molecules of Life kit.  The kit is used to build macromolecules in Biology.  It’s fabulous!  If you buy a used set be sure it has the worksheets and lab guide. 

Later I bought the modern Molecules of Life.  The kiddos build macromolecules in Biology and organic molecules in Chemistry with the two sets.  The only issue is that the vintage and new sets are two different sizes.  I have to be vigilant about keeping the two sets separated.  (Read: threaten the students with cleaning if they mix up the sets by randomly tossing in their molecules in the wrong box. Guilty parties spend an hour separating the molecules into individual kits for the next class to use.)

The DNA Model Kits were a splurge because I only use them for Biology.  However, they do illustrate the helix well.  I teach Co-op Bio classes fairly regularly; the purchase made sense for my classes.

Before you buy a Lab-Aid kit, look at its components.  Let’s start with Identification of Chemical Reactions.  I hesitate to buy a used kit, unless it’s a bargain.  Don’t buy a vintage set with chemicals; the chemicals have a shelf-life of about five years.  Similarly, Introduction to pH Measurement has pH paper and indicators to test hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide.  Instead buy pH paper or a less expensive kit.

Another example is Dichotomous Keys.  Even this listing isn’t a great price.  It looks like the Pamishan Creatures activity.  

The same is true of Classifying Animals.  You are classifying photos of animals.  Here and here are animal classification activities.  Otherwise, whether or not I’ll buy a Lab-Aid kit depends on what I’m teaching and the price.  For example, Weather Forecasting might be a good buy because it would save me trying to assemble similar materials for a lab—lesson.

Beware of sealed kits on eBay.  Do the research at theLab-aids store to see what you’re getting, such as Selective Breeding.  You’re buying fake Indian corn and a lesson.  Just do a similar lesson about ‘Jumping Genes’

Which eScience Lab Kit is better if you want to cannibalize the equipment?

First, why are there pristine eScience (or Labpaq) kits on eBay or Good Will?  College, remote or distant learning, science classes require a remote lab.  Students pay for the kit along with the class.  Later, the same students realize that they don’t need to do the labs to answer the professor’s questions or complete the lab reports.  Voila!  Fabulous kits are available at bargain prices.  Note the contents varies by instructor.

 Do I have experience cannibalizing lab kits for their equipment!  Usually, there is no instructional CD for the labs.  Sometimes, there sticker gives you a hint as to the mini-lab; usually, there is no hint.  So the real value in eScience kits lies in their contents.  

Look at the eScience Biology lab kit pictured above.  The contents include several beakers, a set of test tubes, a pair of a safety glasses (in the white box), a graduated cylinder, and miscellaneous mini-kits.  How do I know it’s a Biology kit?  The beads.  They are used to build DNA.  Is it a good value?  The graduated cylinder, beakers, glasses, and test tubes have a value of about $25.  The test tube rack is cardboard.  There might be a test tube brush in the kit, too.  If you need basic equipment, this isn’t a bad deal.  Just don’t pay more than $25 total.

This Chem kit, by contrast, is loaded.  (It’s available at eBay.). There is a pH meter, digital scale, thermometer, safety classes, a graduated cylinder, glassware, pipettes, and a set of colored pencils.  The styrofoam cup and coffee cup are for Coffee Cup Calorimetry.  Right now, the listing is $35 with $10 shipping.  

Chemistry kits are more likely to have a digital scale and a thermometer—both expensive.  Borosilicate (Pyrex) beakers or Erlenmeyer flasks, the digital scale, thermometer glass thermometer, and the pH pen are all about $9 each—making the kit worth about $45.  (You probably can use the chemicals, gloves,  and pipettes for lab, too.  I just don’t factor those in when I weigh  the value.) 

Both of these kits are prices well.  Do a little research on Amazon to gauge the price of the components in the kit before you bid.  Right now I need to walk away from both kits;  I’m reminded that I do NOT need any more glassware, labware, scales, or thermometers.  

Just one more kit comparison: Apologia Chemistry Glassware Set.  Look at the eBay listing.  A price of $25 would be a bargain; the retail price is $67.  The eBay set is $42.34 with shipping.  But, what if a thermometer or scale is broken?  You really have no recourse.  I look for bargains knowing the kit might not be complete, which doesn’t matter because I’m using the kit for the equipment.  Below the Apologia kit is another recent listing from Good Will.  It doesn’t have a thermometer or digital scale.  However, the labware is plastic (unlike Pyrex it won’t break) and there is a ring stand—a pricey lab item.

Case Studies for Advanced Biology (Anatomy)

 I pushed hard in Advanced Biology (Anatomy), went over Multiples on Tuesday.  I thought Multiples would take longer than it did.  We’re dissecting a fetal pig next Thursday, during the last class.  (I need to remember to take the specimens to the trash, rather than leave it in the basement trash can.  We’re going out of town for five days.)  Suddenly, I have two 90 minute classes and no lesson.  Huh.  What would be engaging to do?  Case Studies!  I put links in a slide deck, mainly Interactive Case Studies, and Biology Corner Case Studies.  Additionally, Human Biology has loads of case studies I have wanted to add to my class all year.  Why haven’t I?  The Advanced Biology coursework is so detailed, there wasn’t time—until now!  

LEGO

This summer’s Maker Camp includes LEGOs. I bought LEGO Klutz kits for the kiddos as an activity to do and take home.  The kiddos like some swag.  

Maker Spaces and STEM programs often include LEGOs. Here is the current LEGO Education website.  The issue with LEGO products is that they are continuously updated.  Guess what?  These same products require apps, which are eventually discontinued.   LEGO had two popular sets: LEGO Boost and Star Wars Boost, both discontinued; the apps are no longer supported.  Similarly, Mindstorms, SPIKE, Learn to Learn, and these other discontinued products are no longer supported.  LEGO is a corporation, not a 501-C.)  Sadly, I would avoid using LEGO kits with any programming app.  This is unfortunate; the apps are intuitive!  However, I want materials with longevity—not an app with a lifespan of a McDonald’s toy.  

But LEGOs are awesome! (Cue the LEGO movie soundtrack!) What else can I do with ordinary LEGOs? I’m so glad you asked!

1.  LEGO Molecules.  I’m using this idea for my fall classes.  Here is some background information about the molecule sets.  Raid your LEGO bin to make the molecule sets.  Elements, Mixtures, and Compounds may work better than trying to build your entire curriculum around a set of LEGOs, especially for Chemistry.

2. Check out Frugal Fun’s LEGO Archives, some for play, and some more STEM, such the Spinning Tops and the Candy Dispenser.  (Yes, it STEM!  If you build, you’re doing some engineering!)

3.  Another idea is to use activity sheets, such as Build An Awesome City.  (Download and save any activity sheets.  Use the free storage in Drive or a folder in Gmail.). Here is a set which doesn’t require an email to download.  Alternatively, show your kiddo an image of a LEGO build and have them copy it.  Build a Tower (with DUPLOs) is perfect for tiny tots.

4. LEGO Simple Machines is based on a kit.  But the lessons use many basic brick pieces.  Used sets sell on eBay for under $50.

5. Intro,  On the Farm, and  4-H Enchanted Builds  are 4-H lesson plans for younger kiddos.  All of the instructions are in the  download.  Does your Fair have a Building Block Engineering competition?

6.  World Landmark Building Cards is one way to promote architecture.  Be inspired by this Landmark Unit Study.

7.  LEGO Morse Code, LEGO Math, LEGO Physics, Gene Switches, and  DNA LEGOs are all inspiration for you to go down yet another rabbit hole as you search for ideas.

Periodic Table Cards

 I mentioned in an earlier post that the Chemistry summer assignment is to make Periodic Table cards based on this JCE article ,which sometimes opens and sometimes doesn’t.  I assigned specific colors for each group in order for the kiddos to be able to play the card game.  (I’ve assigned this activity for years.  So far, exactly one student was excited to play the card game.). Full disclosure: I have never made my own set.  Evidently I loaned out my set which a student game me.  (Okay, I made a few as examples.). Since my demo set is AWOL, I made my own.  Now I need a safe spot to preserve these cards forever.  It took me about three hours to make a card set.  This exercise helps the kiddos learn the names and symbols of many elements.  Really!