Circuit Designers
Students will work in small groups of two to three on a structured challenge around circuits which includes requirements such as including using a switch or a conductor. They will then use that knowledge to work on a collaborative challenge to solve a relevant problem related to elephant poaching. Students will create a containment system that will have an alarm system, a lighting system, and a way to pass through. Finally, they will review the other projects and discuss similarities and differences in the design.
Earth’s Movements
Students will work in small collaborative groups to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth as it revolves around the Sun which creates a day and night cycle.
Uses of Energy Lab
Students will rotate through lab stations equipped with objects and videos as they explore the uses and conversion of five different types of energy.
Going on an Expedition
Students observe how dunes and canyons are created through agents of erosion by weathering and erosion.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) Vertical Alignment
Click below to learn about the TEKS related to the unit and Research Lesson. The highlighted student expectation(s) is the chosen focus for the Research Lesson.
Stop, Collaborate, and Rotate
Students will explore the Earth's rotation and its relation to the Sun and the Moon. Then, students will create a visual representation of this relationship and present it to the rest of the class.
Teacher doing Introduction
Disruptions of the Cell Cycle: Cancer
Given illustrations or descriptions, students will identify disruptions of the cell cycle that lead to diseases such as cancer.
Virus: Structure
Given illustrations, students will distinguish between viral structure and cellular structure.
Virus: Reproduction
Given descriptions and illustrations students will identify and describe the methods of viral reproduction.
Virus: Disease
Given scenarios, illustrations, or descriptions, students will identify major diseases caused by viruses, how viruses cause these diseases, and how the body responds to infection.
Mechanisms of Genetics: DNA Changes
Given illustrations or partial DNA sequences, students will identify changes in DNA and the significance of these changes.
Taxonomy Standards
Given examples, students will recognize the importance of taxonomy to the scientific community.
Taxonomy: Major Groups
Given illustrations or descriptions, students will determine the classification of organisms into domains and kingdoms.
Enzymes
Given illustrations or scenarios, the student will identify an enzyme and the outcome of its action.
Animal System Interactions
Given illustrations, descriptions, or scenarios, students will describe the interactions that occur among systems in humans.
Mechanisms of Genetics: Protein Synthesis
Given illustrations or partial DNA or mRNA sequences, students will identify the processes and purposes of transcription and translation.
Abiotic Cycles
Given scenarios, illustrations, or descriptions, the student will describe the flow of matter through carbon and nitrogen cycles and describe the consequences of disrupting these cycles.
Homeostasis: Ecological Systems
Given images, videos, or scenarios, identify and describe the responses of organisms, populations, and communities to various changes in their external environment.
Biological Systems: System Organization
Given illustrations or descriptions, students will relate the levels of organization to each other and to the whole system.
Biological Systems: Homeostasis
Identify and describe internal feedback mechanisms involved in maintaining homeostasis given scenarios, illustrations, or descriptions.