The project begins with a 'Driving Question' about the safety of Nashoba Brook in Acton. Students connect their foster turtles' habitat to the larger watershed and identify what they 'Need to Know' for a successful release.
A comprehensive lesson exploring the three primary types of symbiotic relationships: mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism. Students analyze animal interactions through task cards, case studies, and visual organizers.
A comprehensive lesson on structural and behavioral adaptations across various biomes, including specialized survival strategies like hibernation, migration, camouflage, and mimicry.
An introductory exploration of Earth's diverse biomes, focusing on the ocean, rainforest, and grassland ecosystems. Students learn to identify key characteristics and express personal preferences based on ecological traits.
A foundational lesson exploring how energy moves through ecosystems, focusing on trophic levels, the 10% rule, and the complex connections in terrestrial and aquatic food webs.
Teachers learn to break complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps using classroom routines and Iowa Core standards as examples.
A creative project where students design and build a 3D biome model in a box, then document their scientific findings.
Students explore the essential methods of purifying water through hands-on experimentation. They will learn the roles of physical filtration and phase changes (evaporation) in removing contaminants from water samples.
A lesson exploring the continuous movement of water on Earth through a detailed diagram of the water cycle, focusing on the roles of energy and gravity.