Active Learning Activities

Evolution of Sexual Reproduction: Construct a Species

Students construct a fictional animal species by selecting traits related to sexual reproduction.

Silent Discussion

Conduct a discussion in your class without students ever speaking a word!

Snowball Starter: Goals of Science Education

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

Nature of Science Ice-Breaker

A first class ice-breaker activity introducing the nature of science.

Cross-Disciplinary Synergy 101: Uniting Expertise for Success

In teams, students interact, share information on their profession, and create cases where each discipline is needed

Family Matters : Inclusive Genetics Pedigree

In teams, students will build a pedigree chart and determine inheritance patterns using inclusive pedigree practices.

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

Communicable Puzzles: Children’s Most Common Infectious Diseases

Using the Jigsaw strategy, students become an “expert” for one communicable disease through self-directed research.

Controversy in the Science Classroom: Nature of Science Quiz

An Abundance of Bells

Projet Specific: Webzine

Harvard Implicit Bias Test

Three-Tiered Writing

Cercles de Lecture (Reading Circles)

Bringing Context to Life: Annotating Research for Reading Novels

Rhetorical Strategies

Putting the “You” in education: Using self-reflections for learning

Having Students Read and Apply Essay Feedback

Jigsaw Geography Presentation

Organic Food vs GMOs

Protein Separation

Homeostasis: Mapping the Endocrine System

Engineering Ethics

Engineering Poster Presentations with Peer Assessment