Active Learning Activities

Group Work Project Contracting

For instructors planning student group work projects over many weeks or months.

Snowball Starter: Goals of Science Education

In this activity, the snowball strategy links students' prior beliefs to a deeper inquiry of science education goals.

The Heart of the Matter: Exploring Exercise in Cardiac Disease

Before class, students read an article and gather 5 elements. In class, they "pool" findings and sort into categories.

Data Mining and Sorting: Scaffolding the Exploration of Scientific Articles

The purpose of this activity is to deepen students' understanding of cardiac pathophysiology

It’s All in the Delivery: 6 Rounds to Effective Presentation

Groups of students orally present a poem six times, focusing on six key aspect of effective oral presentations

Rough Draft Workshop: Group Peer Assessment Jigsaw Activity for Case Study or Procedural Writing

Students bring a rough draft of a written group project for peer evaluation and feedback

Card Sorting Activities for Mechanics

Categorizing for Review

Peer Review, Assessment & Feedback

Building Effective Teams

Photosynthesis: Light Dependent Reactions

From “Yum” to “Yuk”: A Case in Point… Mutation

Does X Associate with Y?

Homeostasis: Mapping the Endocrine System

Biological Molecules

Kinematics Concept Mapping

Home Wiring

Muscle Snowballs

Photo Concept Maps: Parts 1, 2 & 3