Science Sampler: Designed by Nature—Exploring linear and circular life cycles

Journal Article | January 2008

Designed by Nature is a series of six sequential lessons that help middle school students explore the environmental impacts of producing and disposing of everyday items, and the role of citizens, consumers, and…

Tried and True: Rock cycle project—Rock and rap CD cover

Journal Article | June 2008

The Earth system views the entire planet as a single dynamic entity. Understanding the individual components and their interactions is necessary to completely understand how the planet works. Because the Earth system…

Favorite Demonstration: Scientific Observation and the Learning Cycle—Burning the Candle at Both Ends

Journal Article | December 2007

This article describes a twist on the basic “Science 101” investigation of having students observe a birthday candle before, during, and after burning. It engages students in exploring the attributes of a candle,…

Tried and True: Volcano! Investigating Plate Tectonics, Geologic Time, and the Rock Cycle

Journal Article | October 2015

This column provides classic demonstrations and experiments with a new twist. This month’s issue explores volcanoes.

Science Sampler: The Pet Rock Project—Making the rock cycle come alive!

Journal Article | September 2007

The Pet Rock Project provides students with an in-depth understanding of the rock cycle that involves their artistic and creative abilities in the Earth science classroom. The idea of a pet rock was central to the…

Ecosystem Cycles

Lesson Plan | June 2021

The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about the transfer of matter and energy in ecosystems. The probe is designed to reveal whether students recognize that only matter is cycled through an…

Students See the Light: Investigating luminescence and incandescence through a three-part learning cycle

Journal Article | March 2001

The difference between luminescence and incandescence seem simple enough concepts to teach. But to help students develop conceptual understanding, this article features activities from PRISMS (Physics Resources and…

Taming the Testing/Grading Cycle in Lecture Classes Centered Around Open-Ended Assessment

Journal Article | February 2011

Testing strategies centered around open-ended assessments are generally thought to result in deeper learning compared with close-ended questioning. However, the time requirements involved in grading open-ended…

Classroom-Scale Experiments in System-Scale Modeling With Application to the Global Cycle of Water and Energy

Journal Article | August 2018

Model the movement of energy through the water cycle.

Pangea Redux: Students learn about plate tectonics using Wilson Cycle models

Journal Article | October 2003

The authors suggest that a basic misconception exists about the cyclic nature of plate tectonic theory that inhibits teachers and students from fully appreciating just how dynamic Earth has been and will be over the…