Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning

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Heather Shaffery

LEARN Author

K20 Center

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Recent Publications

Seeing the Bigger Picture

Ecological Energy Pyramids and Science Illustration

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

This lesson introduces the idea of energy flow in ecosystems using energy pyramids. It also exposes students to a career in scientific illustration. Students participate in a game that models energy flow through trophic levels and calculate the transfer of energy up an energy pyramid. After learning... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Seeing the Bigger Picture

Ecological Energy Pyramids and Science Illustration

Tag Related

  • Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP)

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • ICAP, Science

Course Course

  • Biology I, Environmental Science

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • HS-LS2-4, B.LS2.4 , B.LS2.4.2, EN.LS2.4 , EN.LS2.4.2
More 3-4 periods
Time Frame 130-160 minutes
Trees in the Wind

Growth and Development of Organisms

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 6th - 8th

In this lesson about the growth and development of organisms, students will gather evidence from research about specific plant phenomena, then use research and in-class investigations to explain the relationship between environmental conditions and plant growth. Activities throughout the lesson will... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Trees in the Wind

Growth and Development of Organisms

Tag Sponsor

  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 6th - 8th

Subject Subject

  • Science

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • MS-LS1-4, 8.LS1.4
More 180 minutes
Time Frame 3-4 class period(s)
Who Bleached My Coral?

Photosynthesis and Coral Reef Health

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 6th - 8th

This lesson examines the phenomenon of coral bleaching as a context for learning about photosynthesis. Students investigate photosynthesis' inputs and outputs using an online simulation activity and connect these elements to the relationship between coral and their symbiotic algae. Student will also... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Who Bleached My Coral?

Photosynthesis and Coral Reef Health

Tag Sponsor

  • National Science Foundation (NSF)

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 6th - 8th

Subject Subject

  • Science

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • MS-LS1-6, 7.LS1.6
More 3-4 class periods
Time Frame 160 minutes
(Not) Sorry to Burst Your Bubble

Passive Transport, Homeostasis, and Antibiotics

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

In this lesson, students connect passive transport across a semi-permeable membrane to show how the antibiotic vancomycin works to kill MRSA. Students complete two simple osmosis and diffusion investigations, learn the details of passive transport, and apply their conceptual understanding to create... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
(Not) Sorry to Burst Your Bubble

Passive Transport, Homeostasis, and Antibiotics

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • Science

Course Course

  • Biology I

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • HS-LS1-3, B.LS1.3 , B.LS1.3.1
More 3-5 periods
Time Frame 200 minutes
Indestructible? Inconceivable!

Chemical Properties and Reactions

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 6th - 8th

Observing a polyurea-coated watermelon dropping from a 148-foot drop as a phenomenon, students will develop an understanding of how the coating is formed via a chemical reaction and what properties make the substance so durable. Through models and observational data, students will explain how the molecular... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Indestructible? Inconceivable!

Chemical Properties and Reactions

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 6th - 8th

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, 7.PS1.1 , 7.PS1.1.1, 7.PS1.2 , 7.PS1.2.1, 7.PS1.2.2
More 3-4 class periods
Time Frame 220 minutes
State of AWAREness

The Influence of Natural Hazards on Human Activity

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

In this lesson, students make connections between severe weather events and human behavior. Students will play through AWARE: Advanced Weather Awareness & Response Education, a digital game-based learning (DGBL) module; explore population growth data; and research the economic sectors and natural resources... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
State of AWAREness

The Influence of Natural Hazards on Human Activity

Tag Related

  • Games

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • Science

Course Course

  • Earth Science, Environmental Science

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • HS-ESS3-1
More 5-6 class periods
Time Frame 250-280 minutes
Phylogenetic Mana-trees

Using Genomic Data to Evaluate Evolutionary Relationships

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

In this lesson, students will develop cladograms and phylogenetic trees to predict manatees' evolutionary relationships to several other mammals. By comparing trees based on morphological characteristics with trees made from protein sequences, students will deepen their understanding of why scientists... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Phylogenetic Mana-trees

Using Genomic Data to Evaluate Evolutionary Relationships

Tag Sponsor

  • National Science Foundation (NSF)

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • Science

Course Course

  • Biology I, Biology II

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • HS-LS4-1, B.LS4.1, B.LS4.1.1
More 3-4 class periods
Time Frame 200 minutes

Meaningful student discussion is an important component of Authentic instruction, but many teachers find it challenging to facilitate effectively. This session explores effective approaches to planning for and facilitating student discussion, common discussion roadblocks, and strategies to support meaningful... Read more »

Tag Target Audience

  • Teachers

Tag Calendar Placement

  • Any time of year, Planning/Collaboration/Conference Time, Summer Session

User Group Group Size

  • Large Group (at least 30), Medium Group (at least 10)

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Conversation Starter, Increase Teacher "Toolbox"
More
Time Frame 60 minutes
How Does Your Garden Grow? (MS-LS2-3)

Conservation, Ecosystems, and Soil Health

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 6th - 8th

This lesson is a middle school adaptation of the high school "How Does Your Garden Grow?" lesson. Students will explore soil health principles, soil chemistry, nutrient cycles, and environmental impacts of soil quality. Students will construct models that demonstrate the flow of matter and energy in... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
How Does Your Garden Grow? (MS-LS2-3)

Conservation, Ecosystems, and Soil Health

Tag Sponsor

  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 6th - 8th

Subject Subject

  • Science

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • MS-LS2-3, 7.LS2.3 , 7.LS2.3.1, 7.LS2.3.2
More 300 minutes
Time Frame 4-5 class period(s)
How Does Your Garden Grow? (MS-LS1-5)

Conservation, Ecosystems, and Soil Health

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 6th - 8th

This lesson is a middle school adaptation of the high school "How Does Your Garden Grow?" lesson. Students will explore soil health principles, soil chemistry, nutrient cycles, and environmental impacts of soil quality and investigate optimal soil conditions in which to grow plants. Using the data and... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
How Does Your Garden Grow? (MS-LS1-5)

Conservation, Ecosystems, and Soil Health

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 6th - 8th

Subject Subject

  • Science

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • MS-LS1-5, 8.LS1.5 , 8.LS1.5.1
More 300 minutes
Time Frame 4-5 class period(s)