Algae Adventure |
Students learn about kelp, a specific kind of algae that grows into dense underwater
forests. Are they like plants? How do they grow? Take a dive! Grades 3–6. |
Amazing Appalachians |
Students learn about plate tectonics by exploring the Appalachian Mountains. How old
are they? And how did they form? Find out! Grades 3–6. |
Bacterial Transformation |
Students utilize recombinant DNA technology to make E. coli bacteria glow. After inserting a plasmid specifically engineered with the DNA sequence
for a Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), a gene that confers antibiotic resistance,
and an inducible promotor into E. coli cells, students visualize the results under a UV light. Students are challenged to
calculate the efficiency of the transformation process. Grades 11–12. |
Bird Migration and Climate Change |
Students learn about the research of a local scientist as they work to answer the
driving question: Are bird migration patterns changing? Dr. Emily Cohen leads students
through a series of investigative questions based on her work studying migration patterns
in birds. This activity is designed for upper level high school students and fits
well in biology, environmental science or research methods classes. Grades 9–12. NGSS Alignment. |
Bumble Bee Boogie |
Explore the life of bumble bees with your students by following the growth of a hive.
Who lives there, and what do they do? Grades 3–6. |
Celebrating Cicadas |
The cicadas were special visitors to Maryland this past summer. In this lesson, students
will learn about periodical cicadas and how to observe them in their local environment.
Grades 3–6. Check out our webinar on cicadas and a list of other great cicada resources. |
Cicada Chorus |
2021 was the year for Brood X cicadas to emerge in Maryland! In this lesson, students
will compare annual and periodical cicadas, and learn about the three species of cicadas
that in Brood X. Grades 7–12. Check out our webinar on cicadas and a list of other great cicada resources. |
Do Mountains Last Forever? |
Why are some mountains so tall? And others relatively short? In the lesson, students
learn about the effects of weathering and erosion on different mountain ranges around
the world. Grades 3–6. |
Freshwater, Saltwater |
Students learn about the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States,
and what happens when fresh water and salt water mix. Grades 4–6. |
How Do Scientists Know Things? |
This nature of science activity is perfect for scaffolding students as they develop
their observation and questioning skills in science. Grades 4–9. |
Investigating Influenza |
Students discover how viruses work, and how our immune systems respond to them. They
explore how viral infections can be detected using an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay) to test patients' blood serum for antibodies against the virus. Grades 9–12. |
It's a Gassy World! |
Students explore issues related to climate change while answering the driving question:
“Will warming oceans be better or worse at absorbing carbon dioxide?” Grades 6–9. |
Looking Backward, Looking Forward |
Students act as paleoclimatologists as they gather interpret data to infer Maryland's
climate over the past 12,500 years. Grades 6–12. |
Looking into Lactase |
Students uncover how enzymes work by learning about how a pharmaceutical can be used
to treat lactose intolerance in humans. Grades 9–12. |
Mr. Trash Wheel |
Students find innovative solutions to environmental problems by learning about Baltimore's
very own Mr. Trash Wheel! Grades 3–6. |
Natural Selection |
Students explore natural selection, using camouflage as a case study to learn how
the distribution of traits in a population can change between generations. Grades
4–6. |
Ocean Acidification and Oysters |
Students learn about the process of ocean acidification while working to answer the
driving question "How will increasing amounts of carbon dioxide affect oysters?" Grades
6–12. |
Oyster Gardening |
Students find out all about oysters and how they support the health of the Chesapeake
Bay. Grades 3–6. |
Save the Bay! Unit |
Engage students to solve real environmental problems in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Students will learn about the Bay's physical and ecological characteristics, the current
issues in the watershed, and how they can take action to help solve these problems.
The unit consists of a series of 12 lessons. Grades 3–6. |
Turtle Triathlon |
Discover the world of Loggerhead turtles by following them on their journey, starting
at the beach where they were born. On your mark. Get set. Go! Grades 3–6. |