In this activity (page 1 of the PDF), learners observe how an animal responds to its own reflection. First, learners will observe the behavior of a small animal in a cage or aquarium (e.g., goldfish, gerbil, bird) for five minutes, grading the animaläóťs activity level on a scale. Then, learners repeat the observation period after placing a mirror up to the cage or aquarium, comparing the results. Relates to the linked video, DragonflyTV: Horse Ears.

In this "Sid the Science Kid" activity, learners make applesauce to explore irreversible change. Learners compare and contrast apples that have been changed by heat with apples that haven't been changed. This activity includes a "Sid the Science Kid" video showing how to conduct the investigation. Safety note: adult supervision required.

These photographs supplied by Genelex Corporation depict actual DNA fingerprints and show the types of information that can be gleaned from them. ***Access to Teacher's Domain content now requires free login to PBS Learning Media.

In this "Sid the Science Kid" activity, learners explore the effects of decay by comparing and contrasting something (an old pumpkin) that's decayed with the same thing before it changes (a fresh pumpkin). Use this activity during the Fall and Halloween! This activity includes a "Sid the Science Kid" video showing how to conduct the investigation.

Engineering analysis distinguishes true engineering design from "tinkering." In this activity, students are guided through an example engineering analysis scenario for a scooter. Then they perform a similar analysis on the design solutions they brainstormed in the previous activity in this unit. At activity conclusion, students should be able to defend one most-promising possible solution to their design challenge. (Note: Conduct this activity in the context of a design project that students are working on; this activity is Step 4 in a series of six that guide students through the engineering design loop.)

In this math lesson, learners rotate through various centers while comparing and ordering objects according to length. Learners will discover that the length of an object is not altered by a change to its spatial position, even though it may appear to be longer or shorter than before.

Students use real-world data to evaluate the feasibility of solar energy and other renewable energy sources in different U.S. locations. Working in small groups, students act as engineers evaluating the suitability of installing solar panels at four company locations. They access data from the online Renewable Energy Living Lab from which they make calculations and analyze how successful solar energy generation would be, as well as the potential for other power sources at those locations. Then they summarize their results, analysis and recommendations in the form of feasibility plans prepared for a CEO.

Students see and learn how crystallization and inhibition occur by making sugar crystals with and without additives in a supersaturation solution, testing to see how the additives may alter crystallization, such as by improving crystal growth by more or larger crystals. After three days, students analyze the differences between the control crystals and those grown with additives, researching and attempting to deduce why certain additives blocked crystallization, showed no change or improved growth. Students relate what they learn from the rock candy experimentation to engineering drug researchers who design medicines for targeted purposes in the human body. Conduct the first half of this activity one day before presenting the associated lesson, Body Full of Crystals. Then conduct the second half of the activity.

Students learn about and use a right triangle to determine the width of a "pretend" river. Working in teams, they estimate of the width of the river, measure it and compare their results with classmates.