Active Learning Activities

Group Work Project Contracting

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

Electron Odyssey: Journey through the Mitochondria’s Electron Transport Chain

Students play the roles of protein complexes to see how electrons, protons, and energy moves through the ETC to produce ATP.

Put Your Theory on Trial

Scaffolded debate that explores the nuances of a belief that the teacher has introduced.

Running on Water: Activating Prior Knowledge of Static Equilibrium

Students watch, discuss, then analyze the veracity of a video in which hydrophobic shoes allow people to run on water.

Nature of Science Ice-Breaker

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

Family Matters : Inclusive Genetics Pedigree

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

Card Sorting Activities for Mechanics

Real-World Physics: Mini Video Projects

Don’t go NUTS: A Case Study on the Physiology of Stress

Feeling Feverish: Homeostasis of Pyrexia

Low Stakes Debate

Categorizing for Review

Peer Review, Assessment & Feedback

Solving World Issues One Smartphone at a Time

Schools of Thought in Psychology

Gender and Job Inequality

Building Effective Teams

The Sailing Iguanas: A Mini Case in Speciation

Photosynthesis: Light Dependent Reactions

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

Action-Learning Sets

Forget the Math! Draw Pictures to Learn the Wave Theory of Light

Who am I: (Mis)conceptions of Self

Ctrl + Alt + Del: PTSD and Neuroplasticity