Active Learning Activities

Put Your Theory on Trial

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

Silent Discussion

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

Reimagining the Reading Quiz: Peer Instruction in English

Students do a reading quiz in class and revise their answers after developing and sharing a rationale for their choice.

Snowball Starter: Goals of Science Education

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

More Than One Way to Cook an Egg: Exploring Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Teams explore Gardner's Theory, present one component, summarize presentation content, and conduct a self-assessment.

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

To Pass or Not to Pass: Acting out membrane transport

Aim of the activity is to increase students’ understanding of molecules’ movement through the cell membrane.

Card Sorting Activities for Mechanics

Can I Use the Internet?

Peerwise Assignment: Human Body

Connotation Exercise: Interview and Presentation

Gender Socialization throughout the Life Course

Students complete a grid that illustrates different life periods that reinforce gender narratives.

Gender and Job Inequality

Let’s Role Play the French Revolution!

Cercles de Lecture (Reading Circles)

Identity Dot Exercise

Rhetorical Strategies

Understanding Terminology Using Jigsaw

Forget the Math! Draw pictures to learn the wave theory of light

Holding Your Seat: A Mindfulness Exercise

Teacher for a Day: Defining a Definition

Presentation skills: Conveying emotion

Circus Launch Clicker Questions