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!

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.

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

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

Feeling Feverish: Homeostasis of Pyrexia

Low Stakes Debate

Harvard Implicit Bias Test

Let’s Role Play the French Revolution!

If You’re Not Part of the Solution You’re Part of the Precipitate

The Sailing Iguanas: A Mini Case in Speciation

Photosynthesis: Light Dependent Reactions

From “yum” to “yuk”: a case in point… mutation

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

Protein Separation

The Ideal Classroom

Homeostasis: Mapping the Endocrine System