Detailed Catalog of All Experiential STEM Lessons

1. Understand how English and metric units differ
2. Determine why the metric system is so widely used
3. Know the meaning of metric units for distance and volume
4. Know metric prefixes and how they are used

1. Understand how graphs represent data
2. Determine how the speed of the person affects the graphs
3. Know the meaning of x-axis, y-axis, and slope
4. Know what the units of the two axes and the slope are and how they are related

1. Extend your understanding of graphs
2. Determine how changes in the speed of the person affect the graphs
3. Be able to visualize the shape of a graph before you draw it
4. Know what zero and negative slopes represent

1. Understand that the independent variable need not be time
2. Observe the effect of non-time independent variable on graphs
3. Know the meaning of slope when the independent variable is not time

1. Extend your understanding of graphs
2. Determine how changes in the weight of objects affect the graphs
3. Observe effect of non-uniformity on graph

1. Observe random error and understand its nature
2. Determine how the quantity of data collected affects the size of error
3. Learn the terminology of random error

1. Understand the difference between random and systematic error
2. Determine how systematic error affects measurements
3. Learn the terminology of systematic error

1. Perform chi-square analysis of real data
2. Understand expected values, observed values, and degrees of freedom

Acknowledgment

1. Identify various analog measuring devices
2. Know how to read measuring devices correctly
3. Pay attention to both precision and accuracy in your readings

1. Build a useful analytical balance
2. Calibrate the balance

1. Observe the reaction as yeast digests sugars.
2. Use a color bar to record reaction data.
3. Employ good data collection technique.

1. Observe linear diffusion
2. Note the differences in diffusion rate with different ions
3. Note the shape of the distance-time graph

1. Measure sizes of bacterial colonies over time
2. Graph the sizes against time

1. Identify important phases of mitosis
2. Note differences between animal and plant cell mitosis

1. Recognize and identify the different stages of meiosis
2. Learn the differences between meiosis and mitosis

1. Learn to identify important plant tissues: xylem, phloem, epidermis
2. Learn to identify important plant cell types: parenchyma, sclerenchyma, and collenchyma.
3. Learn to distinguish different plant types based on microscopy

1. Learn about the life cycle of Sordaria fimicola
2. Observe the asci of Sordaria
3. Count asci that have crossed over and those that have not

1. Act the role of a predator
2. Note effect of backgrounds on your predation

1. Observe the reaction rate and how it changes with time
2. Note the effect of changing substrate concentration on initial reaction rate

1. Observe the reaction rate and how it changes with time
2. Note the effect of changing temperature on initial reaction rate

1. Observe the reaction rate and how it changes with time
2. Note the effect of changing pH on initial reaction rate

1. Note the effect of salt solutions on organic materials
2. Observe how increasing salt concentration affect mass
3. Compare different materials in their response to salt solutions

1. Measure dialysis bag's change of mass over time
2. Note effects of different solutes in bag on rate of mass change
3. Note effects of different solute concentrations in bag on rate of mass change
4. Note effects of different water bath compositions on rate of mass change

1. Make microscopic observations.
2. Note effects of varying solute concentrations on cell appearance.

1. Explain how gel electrophoresis works
2. Note how different molecules move in an electric field

Acknowledgment

1. Understand photosynthesis as an electron-producing process of plants.
2. Observe the effect of light color and intensity on rate of photosynthesis using a floating leaf section process.

1. Understand photosynthesis as an electron-producing process of plants.
2. Observe the effect of light color and intensity on rates of photosynthesis.

Acknowledgment

Acknowledgment

1. Recognize and count phenotypes
2. Collect data from several population samples

1. Recognize and count phenotypes
2. Collect data from several population samples

1. Use a potometer to measure rate of plant transpiration
2. Measure liquid height in a capillary to estimate change in volume
3. Collect enough data to make scientific conclusions

1. Measure respirometer volume change with time for sprouting seeds
2. Determine the effect of temperature on respiration
3. Understand the role of the controls

1. Follow behavior of animals
2. Note direction of taxis

1. understand how chromatography works
2. compare tlc with different plant materials
3. compare tlc with different eluent solvents

1. Observe the effect of capillary diameter on liquid height
2. Identify the effect of differing liquids on the height

1. Understand genetic code
2. Learn about amino acids
3. Know how amino acids combine to form proteins
4. Relate DNA errors to changes in proteins

1. Understand how some restriction enzymes work
2. Know how restriction enzymes allow gel electrophoresis to "fingerprint" DNA
3. Relate restriction enzyme activity to genetic code

1. Make measurements that indicate muscle fatigue.
2. Make measurements that discover how to improve muscle recovery.

1. Learn how to measure heart rate.
2. Understand blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic.

1. Observe several views of a dissected frog.
2. Learn to identify a number of frog organs.
3. Understand the functions of the identified organs.

1. Observe several views of a dissected frog.
2. Learn to identify a number of frog organs.
3. Understand the functions of the identified organs.

1. Observe several views of a dissected shark.
2. Learn to identify a number of shark organs.
3. Understand the functions of the identified organs.

1. Locate decomposers, producers, consumers
2. Understand relationships between species
3. Discover effects on one species of drastic changes in another's population

1. Recognize germination of seeds
2. Note the shape of the graph for seeds germinated against time
3. See the effect of contaminants on germination

1. Describe the major land biomes
2. Understand how life has adapted to a biome
3. Understand the important features of each biome

1. Understand how a large change in one species affects others
2. Understand how energy content changes with trophic level

1. Take dissolved oxygen measurements
2. Observe the shape of the oxygen against salt concentration curve

1. Measure net primary productivity over time for different water samples.
2. Measure net primary productivity over time for different light intensities.

1. Compare structural characteristics of plants
2. Compare molecular characteristics of plants
3. Understand what biodiversity means

1. Observe the effects of acid on different rocks
2. Measure the rate of change on each rock
3. Note the appearance of these data in different graphs

1. Take data on air pollution and population for several large cities
2. Produce scatter plots and line graphs for pollution vs. population
3. Recognize outliers

1. Recognize different species in images from each environment
2. Count unique species in several different environments
3. Observe the creation of different graphs of your species counts

1. Measure energy usage for fossil fuels in several countries
2. Measure reserves for fossil fuels in several countries
3. Investigate alternative graphical displays of this information

1. Capture data on solar and wind energy for a few days.
2. Graph these data in different ways

1. Recognize several common types of laboratory glassware
2. Understand the important functions of each type of glassware

1. Notice the visible effect of reactions
2. Compare physical and chemical reactions

Acknowledgment

1. Observe a variety of chemical reactions
2. Classify chemical reactions
3. Recognize chemical reactions

1. Note the solubility of various solutes in different solvents
2. Understand the molecular structures of the solutes and solvents

1. Observe colors of different metal salts
2. Correlate metals and colors

1. Observe the reaction between iron and tin ions.
2. Use a color bar to record reaction data.
3. Employ good data collection technique.

1. Follow the titration of several acid-base combinations
2. Note the shape of the curves and their differences
3. Note the positions of the curves with respect to the acid-base combinations

1. Optionally, make your own indicator
2. Perform your own acid-base titrations

1. Use color to measure concentration
2. Follow reaction at several concentrations
3. Compare reaction rates for the different concentrations

1. Measure volumes of hydrogen gas evolved by dissolving metals
2. Use the graphs to estimate volume of gas per gram of metal

1. Seek periodic patterns in element properties
2. Decide which properties provide the best periodic information
3. Obtain data on first 56 elements (excluding noble gases).

Acknowledgment

1. Understand organization of periodic table of elements
2. Locate elements in table based on properties
3. Predict properties of element based on location in table

1. Understand organization of periodic table of elements
2. Locate elements in table based on properties
3. Predict properties of element based on location in table

1. Seek periodic patterns in element properties
2. Decide which properties provide the best periodic information
3. Obtain data on first 56 elements (excluding noble gases).

1. observe the effects of heating on hydrates
2. measure weights using a triple-beam balance

1. Observe the use of laboratory equipment in hydrate analysis
2. Observe laboratory technique in hydrate analysis
3. Understand safety issues

1. Measure cell potentials with different metal electrodes.
2. Understand the purpose of the salt bridge.
3. Note the order of the metals' potentials.

1. Note appearance change of electrodes, if any.
2. Note mass change of electrodes.
3. Discover how coulombs and mass plated are related.

1. Take temperature data as liquids freeze
2. Note effects of solute concentration on freezing point

1. Measure change in mass of fixed volume of vapor as temperature changes.
2. Learn how double-pan balance allows measurement of small changes in large masses.

1. Collect mass change data for metal to salt displacement reactions
2. Observe the change in appearance when metals are dissolved in acids
3. Observe the crystallization of metals salts as the solutions dry

Acknowledgment

1. Observe indicators in solutions of varing pH.
2. Note color changes as pH changes.
3. Record changes in color.

1. Observe precipitation reactions
2. Record the mass of precipitates
3. Note changes in mass-volume graph

1. Observe the use of laboratory equipment in precipitation
2. Observe laboratory technique in precipitation
3. Understand safety issues

1. Understand neutralization reactions from the viewpoint of calorimetry
2. Measure temperature change as neutralization reactions proceed
3. Calculate the heat capacity of the calorimeter

1. Understand dissolution from the viewpoint of calorimetry
2. Measure temperature change as dissolution takes place
3. Calculate the heat capacity of the calorimeter

1. Note chemical effects during dissolution of copper by nitric acid
2. Observe change in color as copper concentration increases
3. Understand concepts behind standard addition

1. Understand gravimetric procedures
2. Determine the amount of phosphorus in plant food

1. Understand redox titration procedures
2. Observe titration using iodine-starch indicator
3. Perform calibration of a standard solution

1. Understand solubility products
2. Analyze data to estimate solubility products
3. Use proper chemistry lab techniques

1. Follow a synthesis procedure.
2. Perform an inorganic synthesis
3. Understand the reasons behind each step of the procedure.
4. Use good laboratory technique in all steps
5. Measure amounts of reactants and products

1. Calibrate spectrophotometer for concentrations of complex ions
2. Note effect of changing ligand concentration on complex concentration
3. Note effect of changing metal ion concentration on complex concentration.

1. Observe the effects of strong acid and base on various solutions
2. Take readings from a pH meter

1. Observe water electrolysis
2. Note effect of electrolyte on gas generation
3. Test for oxygen and hydrogen gas

1. Measure the times taken for reactions to complete.
2. Observe effect of different factors on reaction rates.

1. Observe the titration of polyprotic acids with strong base
2. Take readings from a pH meter
3. Note inflections in pH-volume curves

1. Measure total volume against volume added for several materials.
2. Understand how porosity relates to the slope of your line.
3. Rank materials by their porosity.

1. Observe the evaporation of liquids by noting mass change.
2. Compare evaporation rates of different liquids.
3. Note the effect of surface area on evaporation rate.

1. Estimate volume flow rates
2. Note the effect of soil type on flow rate

1. View the effect of changing flow rate on nature of erosion
2. Note the effect of changing flow rate on stream bed appearance

1. View the effect of changing slope on nature of erosion
2. Note the effect of changing slope on stream bed appearance

1. Learn to distinguish the basic rock types
2. Apply this knowledge to many rocks
3. Understand how these rocks developed

1. Measure the daily variation of ocean level for several days during a month
2. Deal effectively with data collection problems like fog and waves

1. Recognize common types of clouds
2. Understand how clouds form and the weather associated with them

1. Understand P-waves and S-waves
2. Make measurements on seismograms
3. Plot epicenter distances on maps

1. Understand Moon terminology
2. Determine the cause of the Moon's phases

1. Recognize a number of solar system objects.
2. Know some properties of these objects.

1. Observe the change (if any) in speed when identical objects collide.
2. Quantify any change in speed.
3. Note how the mass of the objects affects the speed change.
4. Understand inelastic collisions between identical objects.

1. Observe the change (if any) in speed when non-identical objects collide.
2. Quantify any change in speed.
3. Note how the mass of the objects affects the speed change.
4. Understand inelastic collisions between non-identical objects.

1. Observe the effect on both objects when one collides elastically with another identical one.
2. Determine how mass affects the result.
3. Determine how speed affects the result.

1. Observe the effect on both objects when one collides elastically with another of different mass.
2. Determine how mass affects the result.
3. Determine how speed affects the result.
4. Determine how the ratio of masses affects the result.

1. Understand how voltage affects brightness and power
2. Observe how watt rating affects brightness and power
3. Note relationship between brightness and power

1. Note the effect of increasing wire length on resistance
2. Note the effect of increasing wire diameter on resistance
3. Understand the concept of electrical resistance

1. Measure the voltage (across a capacitor) against time as a capacitor charges.
2. Try out various capacitor combinations
3. Note the effect of parallel and series capacitors on the voltage-time curves

1. Measure current and voltage.
2. Note how current varies with voltage.
3. Become familiar with breadboard and multimeter (wet lab).

1. Understand random motion
2. Observe the motion of particles in liquid

Acknowledgment

1. Review the nature of random motion
2. Observe the effect of temperature on random motion
3. Estimate the magnitude of the temperature effect
4. Formulate a cause of the particle motion

Acknowledgment

1. Observe the effect of temperature on gas volume
2. Characterize the relationship between volume and temperature
3. Observe anomalous behavior and explain it

1. Observe the effect of temperature change on liquid volume
2. Note any differences and similarities between different liquids
3. Determine the shape of the temperature-volume curves for the liquids
4. Understand how to use coefficients of expansion

1. Observe the effect of temperature on gas pressure
2. Characterize the relationship between temperature and pressure in a gas
3. Note any anomalous behavior and explain

1. Understand extrapolation of straight line graphs
2. Analyze errors when doing extrapolation
3. Understand how a gas pressure-temperature graph indicates absolute zero
4. Use extrapolation to estimate the value of absolute zero

1. Understand what a calorimeter is
2. Note the effect of heat on temperature
3. Understand the difference between heat and temperature
4. Use heat-temperature graphs to estimate specific heat capacities

1. Phase changes cause faster temperature changes.
2. Phase changes cause slower temperature changes.
3. Phase changes cause a variety of temperature changes.

1. Explore the phenomenon of heat conduction in solids
2. Find temperature flow rates for different solids
3. See how the graph shape results from the physics of heat movement

1. Measure stream distance for different water heights
2. Observe correlation between height and distance
3. Vary parameters to observe effect

1. Measure angles of reflection of light rays.
2. Note effect of color on reflection.

1. Collect current data from a phototube as voltage varies.
2. Note the effect of light intensity and frequency on current data.

1. Observe the effect of changing weight on the length of springs.
2. Determine the relationship between weight and length.
3. Figure out how parallel and series springs affect this relationship.

1. Understand periodic motion.
2. Be able to determine the period of periodic motion.
3. Observe the change in period when mass changes.

1. Understand kinetic energy (energy of motion).
2. Understand potential energy (energy of position).
3. Interpret the graph to relate the two kinds of energy in this experiment.

1. Understand pendulum motion as periodic motion.
2. Collect data on pendulum period for different masses.
3. See how mass affect pendulum period

1. Understand pendulum motion as periodic motion.
2. Collect data on pendulum period for different lengths.
3. See how length effects pendulum period

1. Observe kinetic and potential energy as determined by pendulum position.
2. Understand where kinetic energy is largest.
3. Understand where potential energy is largest.

1. Identify pendulum motion as periodic motion.
2. Identify how length, mass and swing angle affect pendulum period
3. Collect data on pendulum period for parameter values.
4. Explain what the amplitude of a pendulum is.

1. Study the effect of pivot position on a right triangle shaped pendulum
2. Construct some compound pendulums
3. Provide means to swing them from different pivot points
4. Measure the swing periods of each pendulum for several pivots

1. Note the horizontal motion of the projectile.
2. Observe how the horizontal motion varies with the different experiments.

1. Note the vertical motion of the projectile.
2. Observe how the vertical motion varies with the different experiments.

1. Acquire projectile path data for several different forces
2. Note the effect of initial force on distance
3. Note the effect of initial force on height

1. Acquire projectile path data for several different masses
2. Note the effect of projectile mass on distance
3. Note the effect of iprojectile mass on height

1. Acquire projectile path data for several different launch angles
2. Note the effect of launch angles on distance
3. Note the effect of launch angles on height

1. Observe kinetic and potential energy as determined by projectile position.
2. Understand where kinetic energy is largest.
3. Understand where potential energy is largest.

1. Acquire projectile path data for many different parameters
2. Identify the effect of parameters on distance
3. Identify the effect of parameters on height

1. Understand how speed relates to time and distance
2. Determine a precise formula for speed
3. Interpret the slope of a distance-time graph

1. Understand how acceleration affects graphs of distance against time
2. Calculate distance given a constant acceleration and time
3. Measure acceleration of some objects in free fall

1. Determine size and mass affect free fall acceleration for some balls
2. Measure acceleration of some objects in free fall

1. Note shape of speed-time graphs for free fall
2. Determine how size and mass affect free fall acceleration for some balls
3. Measure acceleration of some objects in free fall

1. Note the effect of mass on acceleration on a ramp
2. Measure acceleration of the railroad car with differing cargoes

1. Identify the effect of mass on acceleration on a ramp
2. Measure acceleration of the railroad car with differing cargoes

1. Understand how ramp angle affects acceleration
2. Measure acceleration of the railroad car with different ramp angles and cargoes
3. Decide whether cargo mass or ramp angle has more effect on acceleration

1. Measure and understand acceleration
2. Note effect of friction on acceleration

1. Note how the ramp angle affects the acceleration
2. Compare the effect of different sliding surfaces on acceleration
3. Observe the effect of changing mass on sliding acceleration

1. Observe the behavior of rolling cylinders.
2. Note the effect of thickness of the cylinder wall on acceleration.
3. See how angle affects acceleration of rolling cylinders.

1. Design experiments to measure centripetal force
2. Provide means to measure and maintain constant radius of rotation
3. Collect data from a mass rotating at the end of a string

1. Observe how the speed of light objects changes as they fall
2. Observe how the acceleration of light objects changes as they fall

1. Observe how the acceleration of light objects changes as they fall
2. Compare different objects' behavior during fall

1. Measure distance-time relationships of the masses of an Atwood machine
2. Graph distance and time for your measurements
3. Find a method for estimating acceleration from your data

1. Make careful measurements.
2. Take care in experimental design.
3. Observe effects of parameters on time to raise weights

1. Measure initial and final speeds of objects moving down a ramp.
2. Know height change during experiment.

1. Measure wavelengths
2. Measure wave speed
3. Find a relationship between frequency, length, and speed
4. Consider errors in measuring waves

1. Experiment with minimizing error in wave measurements
2. Find the reflection angle of a 45-degree barrier
3. Determine whether wave frequency affects the reflection angle

1. Make careful measurements of waves
2. Estimate reflection angle for barriers set at different angles to waves
3. Look for a relationship between barrier angle and reflected wave angle

1. Make careful measurements of wave speed
2. Note the effect of decreasing water depth on wave speed

1. Observe refraction of water waves
2. Measure the dependence of refracted wave angle on interface angle
3. Suggest a relationship between refracted angle and interface angle

1. Understand the phenomenon of diffraction
2. Measure diffraction angle for a variety of frequencies and slit sizes
3. Suggest a relationship between frequency, slit size, and diffraction angle

1. Understand wave interference
2. Measure the path of maximum interference
3. Develop a formula for the interference angle

1. Observe standing waves
2. Measure the wavelength of standing waves
3. Understand that standing waves and resonance are related
4. Find a relationship between wavelength and resonant cavity size

1. Become familiar with making measurements from oscilloscope traces
2. Measure magnitude of sine waves
3. For several frequencies, determine the effect of distance on intensity

1. Measure period of waves from oscilloscope traces
2. Listen to sound and measure period for several pure sounds
3. Relate pitch to period and frequency

1. Measure intensity of waves as frequency changes
2. Estimate frequency/period of maximum intensity
3. Relate wave frequency to pipe length

1. Understand how resonance can provide an estimate of speed
2. Measure resonance to obtain speed
3. Note variation of speed with frequency
4. Estimate the magnitude of errors in this approach

1. Measure delay on an oscilloscope trace
2. Understand how this delay can provide speed of sound
3. Estimate speed of sound for several frequencies
4. Note variation of speed with frequency
5. Estimate error magnitude in this technique

1. Understand what harmonics are
2. Measure harmonic frequencies for an open pipe
3. Relate the harmonic frequencies to the fundamental harmonic frequency

1. Understand the phenomenon of beats
2. Measure beat frequencies for various pairs of frequencies
3. Suggest a relationship between the two frequencies and the beat frequency

1. Investigate the phenomenon of pitch change with speed
2. Use beats to measure the change in frequency with speed
3. Relate speed to frequency change

1. Identify how pitch changes with speed
2. Use spectrum analysis to measure the change in frequency with speed
3. Relate speed to frequency change

1. Note the effect of varying weight on the spring scale pointer.
2. Compare different scales.
3. Observer how the scale affects the curve of distance against weight.

1. Measure the mass to volume ratio for several materials
2. Observe the relationship between the densities of the materials

1. Observe the operation of a first class lever.
2. Determine the effect of weight location on the force.

1. Observe the operation of a second class lever.
2. Determine the effect of weight location on the force.

1. Observe the operation of a third class lever.
2. Determine the effect of weight location on the force.

1. Understand how inclined planes affect force
2. Relate inclined plane height to force

1. Understand the operation of pulleys
2. Gather data on how the pulley configuration affects force

1. Measure displacement in various liquids
2. Make two measurements for each mass to get relative displacement
3. Observe slopes of displacement-mass curves