Active Learning Activities

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.

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

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.

Controversy in the Science Classroom: Nature of Science Quiz

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

Harvard Implicit Bias Test

Reflective Reading on Islam

Students use homework questions to prompt a deeper engagement with the reading material to generate better class discussion.

Fireweed and Seals, oh my! Mini Cases in Population Ecology

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

The Sailing Iguanas: A Mini Case in Speciation

AR’e You Talking to Me? Mini Case Study in Cell Signalling

What Numbers Tell us about Enzyme Inhibition

PCR CAG HUNTING’ton

Photosynthesis: Light Dependent Reactions

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

It’s All Hormonal: A Class Activity on Cushing’s Syndrome

The Genetics of PTC Sensitivity and Tongue Rolling

Cloning of the Human Insulin Gene

Identity Dot Exercise

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