| Course Number1111 |
Course Title222 |
| 1298310: | Advanced Topics in Mathematics (formerly 129830A) (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022 (course terminated)) |
| 2000350: | Anatomy and Physiology (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2000360: | Anatomy and Physiology Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2020910: | Astronomy Solar/Galactic Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2000330: | Biology 2 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2000430: | Biology Technology (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2000370: | Botany (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2003340: | Chemistry 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2003360: | Chemistry 2 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2000380: | Ecology (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2001340: | Environmental Science (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2002480: | Forensic Science 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017, 2017 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2002490: | Forensic Sciences 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017, 2017 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2000440: | Genetics Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2002440: | Integrated Science 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2002450: | Integrated Science 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2000390: | Limnology (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018 (course terminated)) |
| 2002500: | Marine Science 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2002510: | Marine Science 1 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2002520: | Marine Science 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2002530: | Marine Science 2 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2003400: | Nuclear Radiation (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018 (course terminated)) |
| 2020710: | Nuclear Radiation Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2003380: | Physics 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2003390: | Physics 1 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2003410: | Physics 2 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2002540: | Solar Energy Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2002550: | Solar Energy 2 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018 (course terminated)) |
| 2002330: | Space Technology and Engineering (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018 (course terminated)) |
| 2000410: | Zoology (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2002360: | Experimental Science 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2002370: | Experimental Science 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2102310: | Economics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2102320: | Economics Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2102380: | The American Economic Experience: Scarcity and Choice (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated)) |
| 2102390: | The American Economic Experience: Scarcity and Choice Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2100320: | United States History Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2100390: | Visions and Countervisions: Europe, the U.S. and the World from 1848 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018 (course terminated)) |
| 2100480: | Visions and Countervisions: Europe, U.S. and the World from 1848 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2106310: | United States Government (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| 2106320: | United States Government Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| 2106450: | The American Political System: Process and Power (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019 (course terminated)) |
| 2106460: | The American Political System: Process and Power Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| 0700320: | Haitian Creole for Haitian Creole Speakers 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019 (course terminated)) |
| 0700330: | Haitian Creole for Haitian Creole Speakers 4 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019 (course terminated)) |
| 0701340: | French 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0701350: | French 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0701360: | French 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0701370: | French 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated)) |
| 0701820: | Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate French 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0702340: | German 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0702350: | German 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2013 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0702360: | German 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated)) |
| 0702370: | German 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019 (course terminated)) |
| 0702820: | Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate German 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated)) |
| 0703340: | Greek 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0703350: | Greek 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0703360: | Greek 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated)) |
| 0703370: | Greek 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated)) |
| 0704320: | Hebrew 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0704330: | Hebrew 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0704340: | Hebrew 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated)) |
| 0704350: | Hebrew 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated)) |
| 0705340: | Italian 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0705350: | Italian 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0705360: | Italian 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated)) |
| 0705370: | Italian 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated)) |
| 0706320: | Latin 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0706330: | Latin 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0706340: | Latin 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0706350: | Latin 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019 (course terminated)) |
| 0706820: | Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate Latin 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2021 (course terminated)) |
| 0707320: | Russian 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0707330: | Russian 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0707820: | Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate Russian 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated)) |
| 0708360: | Spanish 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0708370: | Spanish 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0708380: | Spanish 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0708390: | Spanish 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0709320: | Spanish for Spanish Speakers 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0709330: | Spanish for Spanish Speakers 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0709340: | Spanish for Spanish Speakers 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated)) |
| 0709350: | Spanish for Spanish Speakers 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated)) |
| 0711320: | Chinese 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0711330: | Chinese 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 1700320: | Research 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0712320: | Japanese 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0712330: | Japanese 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0713320: | Portuguese 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020, 2020 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0713330: | Portuguese 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020, 2020 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0714320: | Foreign Language Humanities for International Studies 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0714330: | Foreign Language Humanities for International Studies 4 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0717312: | American Sign Language 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0717314: | American Sign Language 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2100310: | United States History (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 7920011: | Access Chemistry 1 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| 7921015: | Access United States Government (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| 7921025: | Access United States History (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| 7921020: | Access Economics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| 2100315: | United States History for Credit Recovery (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2102315: | Economics for Credit Recovery (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2102335: | Economics with Financial Literacy (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 - 2024 (course terminated)) |
| 2102340: | Economics with Financial Literacy for Credit Recovery (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2102345: | Economics with Financial Literacy Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 - 2024 (course terminated)) |
| 2106315: | United States Government for Credit Recovery (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| 2000510: | Bioscience 2 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| 2000520: | Bioscience 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| 2002445: | Integrated Science 3 for Credit Recovery (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated)) |
| 2003345: | Chemistry 1 for Credit Recovery (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2003385: | Physics 1 for Credit Recovery (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2020 (course terminated)) |
| 0711812: | Florida’s Preinternational Baccalaureate Mandarin Chinese 3 (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0708820: | Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate Spanish 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0705392: | Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate Italian 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0716320: | Turkish 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0716330: | Turkish 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0710320: | Arabic 3 Honors - Intermediate High - Advanced Low (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019 (course terminated)) |
| 0710330: | Arabic 4 Honors - Advanced Low - Advanced Mid (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019 (course terminated)) |
| 2003500: | Renewable Energy 1 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| 0711335: | Chinese 5 Honors - Advanced High (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated)) |
| 0712825: | Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate Japanese 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0715325: | Language and Literature for International Studies 3 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0715335: | Language and Literature for International Studies 4 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 7921040: | Fundamental Economics (Specifically in versions: 2013 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated)) |
| 0713820: | Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate Portuguese 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated)) |
| 0717316: | American Sign Language 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0717318: | American Sign Language 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 7921042: | Fundamental Economics with Financial Literacy (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated)) |
| 7921022: | Access Economics with Financial Literacy (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| 0715355: | Language and Literature for International Studies 6 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0715365: | Language and Literature for International Studies 7 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 0715375: | Language and Literature for International Studies 8 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2017 (course terminated)) |
| 0715345: | Language and Literature for International Studies 5 Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2102372: | Personal Financial Literacy (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2102374: | Personal Financial Literacy Honors (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2003836: | Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate Physics 1 (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2003838: | Florida's Preinternational Baccalaureate Physics 2 (Specifically in versions: 2015 and beyond (current)) |
| 2001330: | Meteorology Honors (Specifically in versions: 2016 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 2104315: | Exploring Hip Hop as Literature (Specifically in versions: 2017 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current)) |
| 7921021: | Access Personal Financial Literacy (Specifically in versions: 2019 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| 2100362: | Latin American Studies Honors (Specifically in versions: 2020 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| 1005351: | Humane Letters 3 Literature (Specifically in versions: 2020 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| 1005352: | Humane Letters 3 Literature Honors (Specifically in versions: 2020 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| 1005353: | Humane Letters 4 Literature (Specifically in versions: 2020 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| 1005354: | Humane Letters 4 Literature Honors (Specifically in versions: 2020 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current)) |
| Name |
Description |
| Life after Death: Some Genes Remain "Alive" | In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text intended to support reading in the content area. The article explains what happens to certain genes after an organism has died. This lesson also introduces a related video that explains how the fields of Genetics and Biotechnology have affected the field of Forensic Science. By reading the article and viewing the video, students will learn about new discoveries in gene function after death and the impact varying fields of science have upon another. This lesson includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| Languages: Barriers to Global Science? | In this lesson, students will analyze an intended to support reading in the content area. The research article discusses different languages as barriers to the transfer of knowledge within the scientific community and then provides potential resolutions to aid in the reduction of language barriers. This lesson includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| A New Vaccine for Yellow Fever? | This informational text resource from the National Institutes of Health is designed to support reading in the content area. The article discusses how yellow fever is becoming a health threat once again in parts of Africa and why it is necessary for a new vaccine against yellow fever to be developed. The article further discusses in detail the processes and experimental trials by which the vaccine will be tested for its effectiveness and its safety. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| Antifreeze Proteins Both Help and Hurt Fish | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. The article from the National Science Foundation discusses research conducted in the Antarctic concerning the notothenioid fish, which contains "antifreeze" proteins. The proteins prevent the fish from freezing in the cold waters of the Southern Ocean, but it was also discovered that these same proteins prevent ice crystals from melting when temperatures warm. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| The Spread of Rabies in Peru | In this lesson plan, students will analyze an informational text intended to support reading in the content area. The article explains how the rabies virus is likely to spread from the interior of Peru to its coast by the year 2020. It further discusses the technology used to determine that the male vampire bat is most likely the carrier of the rabies virus to different areas in Peru. The lesson plan includes a vocabulary guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| How Did Tuberculosis Reach the New World? | This informational text is designed to support reading in the content area. The article from the National Science Foundation discusses research conducted on the origin of tuberculosis in the Americas. Scientists discovered tuberculosis in skeletons which pre-dated the arrival of Europeans to the New World. Through the analysis of tuberculosis DNA, it was discovered that the New World tuberculosis showed a clear relationship to lineages found in seals and sea lions, suggesting they carried the disease to the Americas pre-Columbus. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| When Good Bugs Go Bad | In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text that addresses research into the fine balance between microbes and their hosts. The text explains how a human's microbiota or microbiome plays a very important role in the immune system. The text describes how bacteria, or the lack of bacteria, play a role in the immune system and keep autoimmune diseases at bay. This lesson is designed to support reading in the content area. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| Economics and Epidemiology | In this lesson, students will read an article from the National Science Foundation. The article discusses the rise of pandemic disease outbreaks across the globe and how these outbreaks can affect world economies. The article further describes how economic models were used to assess different strategies on their effectiveness. The strategy of identifying the underlying cause of emerging diseases was considered to be most cost-effective and beneficial long-term. This lesson is designed to support reading in the content area. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, a vocabulary handout, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| The Stinging Truth about Jellyfish | In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text intended to support reading in the content area. The article addresses the fluctuations of the jellyfish population in the Bering Sea and describes how a new study explains the increase and decrease of jellyfish in that ecosystem. The study focuses on whether or not rising water temperature (due to climate change) is the driving factor in jellyfish population growth. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Numerous options to extend the lesson are also included. |
| The Amazing Octopus | In this lesson, students will read an article from the National Science Foundation that discusses the information gained through the first-ever sequencing of the octopus genome. The information gained will help scientists learn more about the function and development of the nervous system and can be applied to various aspects of brain research. This lesson is designed to support reading in the content area. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| New Research into Epigenetics and Rheumatoid Arthritis | In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text that describes recent research into the underlying factors affecting rheumatoid arthritis. The text describes how epigenetic analysis in knee and hip joints revealed unique patterns that suggest the disease may differ from joint to joint. The findings may allow for the development of more effective, personalized treatment for those who suffer with RA. This lesson is designed to support reading in the content area. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, a vocabulary handout, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| Finding the Sources of Ebola and other Filoviruses | In this lesson, students will analyze an from Science Daily that discusses the research conducted by scientists who used machine learning methods to identify bats that were likely to be reservoirs for Ebola and other filoviruses. Scientists mapped out the geographical ranges of these bats and hope to be able to use this information to prevent future outbreaks.This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. The lesson plan includes a vocabulary guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| Ancient DNA Gives Clues to Dog Evolution | In this lesson, students will analyze an that addresses the genetic analysis of a 4,800-year-old dog found in a tomb in Ireland and how this information gives rise to a new hypothesis that dogs may have been domesticated at least twice, once in East Asia and also in Europe. This lesson is designed to support reading in the content area. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| Hijacking the Immune System | In this lesson, students will analyze an intended to support reading in the content area. The article discusses new research conducted by Penn State scientists to determine how the malaria parasite is evading the human immune system and entering into red blood cells. The study revealed how the parasite is able to use the complement system to its own advantage rather than being negatively affected by it. This lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Numerous options to extend the lesson are also included. |
| Dangerous Fog | In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text intended to support reading in the content area. The text discusses the presence of monomethyl mercury in California sea fog and how it is affecting nearby terrestrial environments. The article further explains the research that was conducted and discusses future studies. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| Gene Transfer and Cancer: Are They Linked? | In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text intended to support reading in the content area. The article addresses a recent discovery linking bacteria and cancer cells in human tissue. Researchers believe that lateral gene transfer might play a role in cancer and other diseases associated with DNA damage. These results may lead to personalized medicine and might possibly be used as preventive measures. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| Editing Humanity's Problems with CRISPR | In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text that describes a promising new gene editing technology called CRISPR. The text describes what CRISPR is and some of its potential applications for individual and public health. Potential ethical considerations and drawbacks are also discussed. The article highlights the inventor of the technology, Dr. Jennifer Doudna, who was recently awarded a $3 million Breakthrough Prize for life sciences. This lesson is designed to support reading in the content area. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Options to extend the lesson are also included. |
| Drama in the Deep | In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text intended to support reading in the content area. The article describes the interactions between three different microorganisms and the implications on the food webs found in the oceans near Antarctica. Phytoplankton and bacteria are competing for food and resources in previously unknown ways. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Numerous options to extend the lesson are also included. |
| Impactful Elements | In this lesson, students will read an informational text that describes how certain elements (copper and zinc are highlighted) can affect human health in both positive and negative ways. Current research on these elements and possible treatments for the negative health effects associated with them is also discussed. This lesson is designed to support reading in the content area. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| Grants for El Niño | In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text that discusses the impacts of El Niño and the need for current research on the topic. The lesson plan includes text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Ideas for extending the lesson are also included. |
| Some Assembly Required: Fighting Cancer with DNA | This lesson utilizes an informational text intended to support reading in the content area. The article describes a new nanotechnology technique that uses computers to rapidly and accurately assemble molecules that can fight cancer. The article also emphasizes how scientific research is supported monetarily through public (NSF) and private partnerships. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Numerous options to extend the lesson are also included. |
| Hurricanes: Birth, Life, and Death | In this lesson, students will analyze an in-depth NASA article on how hurricanes form, develop, and weaken. Additionally the article informs the reader about the history of hurricanes and naming conventions throughout the world as well as the latest technology to study hurricane anatomy, development geographic distribution, and frequency. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Options to extend the lesson are also included. |
| It May Be A Planet, But Could Goldilocks Live There? | In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text resource intended to support reading in the content area. This text describes scientists' research on identifying "habitable" planets and explains how failed attempts might actually open the doors to more thorough research and understanding. Scientists faced the challenge of collecting specific data in order to determine if bodies qualified as planets. When research revealed that their original hypotheses were incorrect, scientists were able to take the new information and apply it to further investigations. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Options to extend the lesson are included. |
| Opening New Windows to the Cosmos: Detecting Gravitational Waves | In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text that describes the first detection of gravitational waves. The text seeks to define gravitational waves, the technology used to detect them, and the impact this discovery may have on future scientific endeavors. This informational text is designed to support reading in the content area. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, sample answers, and a writing rubric. |
| A Star is Born...and Dies | In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text designed to support reading in the content area. The text describes the life cycle of stars and differentiates between their various "fates" as white dwarfs, black holes, novae, etc. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Numerous options to extend the lesson are also included. |
| Fighting Marine Debris on the Alaskan Coast | In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text designed to support reading in the content area. The text is the transcript of an interview concerning the removal of marine debris from the coast of Alaska. The interview subject explains how marine debris needs to be researched, removed, and prevented. The lesson plan includes text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Ideas for extending the lesson are also included. |
| Mysterious Corona - Why's it so Hot? | In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text that addresses innovative research to understand why the corona is hotter than the surface of the Sun. This informational text is designed to support reading in the content area. The text describes how researchers are using the Hinode satellite from Japan to analyze data being produced from a polar coronal hole in the Sun. They believe that Alfven waves are responsible for the surprising temperature of the corona, thereby unlocking a long unanswered question in solar physics. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| Researching Remote Regions: Role of the Southern Ocean | In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text on the carbon dioxide/oxygen exchange in the Southern Ocean. The extent to which massive Southern Ocean currents, other biotic and abiotic factors, and ocean color impacts global warming is currently not known. Scientists will use a modified plane set up as a laboratory to gather this data. The lesson is designed to support reading in the content area and includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| Submarines of Jelly: The Remarkable Siphonophore | This lesson uses an informational text resource intended to support reading in the content area. The text informs readers about siphonophores, a relatively little-studied organism related to jellyfish and corals. It can grow as long as 160 ft. (49 m) and can move through the water column in a coordinated fashion, and knowledge of its locomotion may help humans propel themselves efficiently underwater. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Numerous options to extend the lesson are also included. |
| Purple Haze | In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text designed to support reading in the content area. An ancient coloring pigment is leading to new research in magnetic fields and superconductivity. Will this lead to new technologies involving quantum computers? The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Options to extend the lesson are also included. |
| Of Mice and Mutations: Natural Selection in Action | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. In this lesson, students will analyze a text that addresses the issue of evolution by natural selection and mutation, using Florida "beach mice" as a case study. The lesson plan includes text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Ideas for extending the lesson are also included. |
| The Struggle of Mountains: Erosion vs. Plate Tectonics | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. In this lesson, students will read and analyze an informational text that describes the relationship between plate tectonics and erosion in the formation of Earth's surface. The article includes information describing how scientists are measuring the impact of both of these processes using sediment cores. The article presents findings from a recent study that shows, through data from sediment cores, that erosion is occurring faster than mountain building by plate tectonics. The lesson plan includes a text coding strategy, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. Numerous options to extend the lesson are also included. |
| Is Ozone Always a Positive Force in the Environment? | In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text that addresses the importance of ozone and its positive and negative impacts on life on Earth. The text describes the formation of the ozone layer as a natural occurrence. It also describes the formation of the ozone layer where it can negatively impact living organisms. This informational text is designed to support reading in the content area. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| Methods of Protecting Coral Reefs | This lesson is designed to support reading in the content area. Students will read a short but complex article that describes the expansion of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (a type of marine protected area) and the benefits of MPAs. The article identifies threats to coral reefs and how creating an MPA can help the coral reefs within this protected area and reefs in adjoining areas as well. The text provides some background information on how similar programs have helped other protected reefs near the Philippines, and both local and global threats to coral reef ecosystems are referenced. The lesson plan includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| Not-So-Friendly Spider Venom May Be Used as Earth-Friendly Pest Control | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. In this lesson, students will analyze a text that addresses the environmental problems caused by insecticides and explains how compounds (toxins) in spider venom may be used to selectively eliminate crop-destroying insects while leaving other insects, vertebrates, and the environment unharmed. |
| Welcome to the Dead Zone | In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text that describes the results of a recent study that has found a link between past ocean warming and the onset of "dead zones" in the Pacific Ocean off Oregon and Washington. This informational text is designed to support reading in the content area. The lesson plan includes text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, sample answers, and a writing rubric. |
| Show Me the Money | Students will create a statistical question and collect and analyze data using relative frequency tables. They will present their argument in hopes of earning a cash prize for their philanthropy. An iterative process of critique and refinement will take place. A student packet is included that guides all parts of the lesson. |
| House Hunting! | Students will use criteria such as median home price, neighborhood safety, and likelihood of evacuation during a hurricane to rank a list of neighborhoods in which to shop for a home. Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom. |
| Picturing WWII: Americans at War | This lesson focuses on helping students analyze propaganda posters from WWII to understand how Americans daily lives were impacted at home and abroad. Students will analyze the images and phrases used in the posters, the intended audience, and purpose for each poster. Through analysis of the posters, students will be introduced to some of the challenges America faced by going to war. For the end of lesson assessment, students will create a digital presentation explaining how Americans daily lives were impacted by WWII. |
| Why Does the Dog Drool? Classical Conditioning! | This lesson focuses on the principles of classical conditioning. Students will learn about two key experiments on classical conditioning: Ivan Pavlov's dogs and John Watson's "Little Albert." Students will analyze how classical conditioning is used in each of these experiments and create a digital presentation to compare Pavlov and Watson’s experiments, as well as apply the principles of classical conditioning to their own example. |
| Coral Reefs in Acid - What is Ocean Acidification? | The goal of this lesson plan is for students to be able to conduct mini-experiments that demonstrate what ocean acidification is and how it affects marine organisms. Students will perform mini-experiments and observe diagrams to help generate a definition of what ocean acidification is, why it is occurring, and how humans can reduce their impact. |
| Physics of Water | The purpose of this lesson is for students to conduct mini-experiments, demonstrating the physical properties of water. Students will collect data, diagram results, and generate a well-developed paragraph describing the various effects of water pressure and temperature. |
| Newton's Three Laws of Motion: A Student-Centered Approach | This is an extended lesson that will take approximately two to three weeks to complete. Students begin by completing an inertial balance lab, which includes a graphing and data analysis component, in order to introduce them to Newton's First Law of Motion. Students then go on to complete a Webquest to reinforce Newton's First Law and to learn about Newton's Second Law and Free-body Diagrams. The class then participates in a demonstration to learn Newton's Third Law of Motion. Students then either complete a worksheet to practice calculations involving Newton's Second Law or an inquiry lab to understand how Newton's Laws can be used to build Balloon Rocket Cars (or both!). Finally, students complete an original project by writing a letter, recording a song, or creating a poster to demonstrate their mastery of Newton's Three Laws of Motion. |
| Conductors vs. Insulators: An Inquiry Lab | This is a basic introduction to the difference between conductors and insulators when either is placed into a series circuit with a battery and a light bulb. This introductory activity is primarily used as a vehicle for students to better understand how to write a lab report with the appropriate sections and to integrate technology through Google Docs and a virtual lab simulation. |
| Formation of Hurricanes | This is a picture inquiry based lesson for students to explore the formation of hurricanes. Groups of three students will observe and explain trends found in a picture and share ideas with their peers. |
| Amusement Park Physics | Students will research various types of amusement park rides and use their findings to design a feasible ride of their own. They will summarize their findings and present their ride design to the class. Each student will then write a persuasive letter to a local amusement park describing the reasons their ride design is the best. |
| Discover the Planimal | In this lesson, students will analyze an informational text intended to support reading in the content area. The article explains how scientists utilized the scientific method to discover a plant-animal hybrid between a sea slug and algae. Students also analyze another text reviewing the attributes of scientists that are employed to make discoveries. By reading and synthesizing two texts, students will explore a real-world example of how the scientific method led to the discovery of the first case of gene transfer between multicellular organisms. This lesson includes a note-taking guide, text-dependent questions, a writing prompt, answer keys, and a writing rubric. |
| Formation of Oceanic Features | This is a picture inquiry based lesson for students to explore four specific oceanic features (mid-ocean ridge, trench, seamount, and continental shelf). Groups of three students will observe and explain features found in pictures and share ideas with their peers. |
| Name |
Description |
| A Green Sea Slug Steals Power from Algae | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. Researchers are gaining more insight into how Elysia chlorotica can survive for months without food in a well-lit laboratory. It is well known that the slug can store plastids from the algae it consumes. However, scientists questioned how the organelles remained active for several months in the slug's gut even after a drug was given to shut down photosynthesis. Using fluorescent DNA markers, scientists were able to find a gene that allows the slug to keep the chloroplasts working. It is the first known case of gene transfer from one multicellular organism to another. |
| Scientists Discover Stinging Truths About Jellyfish Blooms in the Bering Sea | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The text describes how jellyfish populations in the Bering Sea have been impacted by different limiting factors like temperature and food availability. Scientists suspect that increasing water temperatures affect the development of polyps in multiple ways. In addition, the study is a multi-disciplinary effort between experts in marine ecology, statistics, and the mathematical geosciences. It is thought such models may be applied to other marine and land-based ecological studies and the spread of infectious diseases. |
| Ebola, Dengue Fever, Lyme Disease: The Growing Economic Cost of Infectious Diseases | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The article discusses the rise of pandemic disease outbreaks across the globe and how these outbreaks can affect world economies. The article further describes how economic models were used to assess different strategies on their effectiveness. The strategy of identifying the underlying cause of the emerging disease was considered to be most cost-effective and beneficial long-term. |
| Rabies Could Spread to Peru's Coast by 2020 | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The article discusses how the rabies virus is likely to spread to the coast of Peru by the year 2020. It further discusses the technology used to determine that the male vampire bat is most likely the carrier of the rabies virus to different areas in Peru. |
| The Microbiome: When Good Bugs Go Bad | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. The text describes current research being conducted on microbiota and the immune system. The text describes how bacteria, or the lack of bacteria, play a role in the immune system and keep autoimmune diseases at bay. There is currently a spike in autoimmune diseases like Crohn's disease and psoriasis that occur primarily in developed countries. This research emphasizes how important our symbiotic relationship is with bacteria. |
| Antifreeze Proteins in Antarctic Fish Prevent Both Freezing and Melting | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. The National Science Foundation article discusses research conducted in the Antarctic concerning the notothenioid fish, which contains "antifreeze" proteins. These proteins are essential because they prevent the fish from freezing in the cold waters of the Southern Ocean, but it was discovered that these same proteins prevent ice crystals from melting when temperatures warm. |
| NIH Launches Early-stage Yellow Fever Vaccine Trial | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. The article discusses how yellow fever is becoming a health threat once again in parts of Africa and why it is necessary for a new vaccine for yellow fever to be developed. The article further discusses the process and experimental trials by which the vaccine is being tested for its effectiveness as well as its safety. |
| First-Ever Octopus Genome Sequenced | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The article discusses the information gained through the sequencing of the octopus' genome. This information will help scientists learn more about the function and development of the nervous system and can be applied to brain research. |
| Mercury-Laden Fog Swirls over Coastal California, Scientists Find | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The article discusses the research conducted on the amounts of methyl mercury found in fog samples. Two different studies were conducted, and both indicate that fog is a major contributor and source of the presence of methyl mercury in an inland environment. |
| Research Spotlights a Previously Unknown Microbial 'Drama' Playing in the Southern Ocean | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. The article discusses the relationship between phytoplankton and different bacteria in the Southern Ocean. The text goes on to describe the results and how they changed previous ideas and assumptions about the needs of phytoplankton. |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis Mechanisms May Vary by Joint | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. New research indicates that rheumatoid arthritis mechanisms may vary by joint. These findings may point to developing specific therapies for individual patients that target precise locations. |
| Bacterial DNA May Integrate into Human Genome More Readily in Tumor Tissue | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. The article describes how scientists have recently found that lateral gene transfer occurs more rapidly into cancer or tumor cells than in normal, healthy cells. Scientists are going to further their research to see if there is a link between lateral gene transfer from the microbes that live on or around us and cancer. They believe this will also lead to a more personalized type of medicine. |
| Rewriting Genetic Information to Prevent Disease | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. CRISPR is an ancient immune response mechanism found in many bacteria that can locate and destroy the genome of an invader, such as a virus. Now researchers want to harness this natural system to control gene editing and regulation, and potentially correct harmful genetic mutations in humans. The ethical considerations of this technology are also discussed. |
| Metals: In Sickness and in Health | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The article describes how certain elements (copper and zinc are highlighted) can affect human health in both positive and negative ways. Current research on these elements and possible treatments for the negative health effects associated with them is also discussed. |
| NSF Awards Rapid Response Grants to Study Current El Niño, One of the Strongest on Record | This informational text resource is is designed to support reading in the content area. The text briefly defines and describes El Niño, including outlining its impacts on fragile ecosystems and weather patterns. The author also reviews the type of grants NSF is awarding scientists to study El Niño and justifies the need for such funding. |
| Drag-and-Drop DNA: Novel Technique Aiding Development of New Cancer Drugs | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. It informs readers of how cutting edge nanotechnology is being combined with supercomputing and drug production. The new process it describes uses unique algorithms to search for DNA sequences that will self-assemble molecules tailored to locate, attach, and kill cancer cells. The passage also is a good example of how public agencies can support private-sector entities through various grants. |
| Hurricanes: The Greatest Storms on Earth | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The article is provides background information on the different names for tropical cyclones, how hurricanes develop and weaken, and where in the world they are found. It also describes the technology used to study hurricanes and how hurricanes are categorized in terms of intensity. |
| Astronomers Developed Technology While Studying Gliese 581 | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The author describes research on identifying "habitable" planets and explains how failed attempts might actually open the doors to more thorough research. Scientists faced the challenge of collecting specific data in order to determine if readings pointed to the existence of a planet. When research revealed that their original hypotheses were incorrect, the scientists were able to take the new information and apply it to further investigations. |
| Gravitational Waves Detected 100 Years After Einstein's Prediction | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The text describes the first observation of gravitational waves by scientists, confirming Albert Einstein's 100-year-old prediction. The article describes the phenomena of gravitational waves, the technology used to detect them, and the impact of this discovery on future scientific endeavors. The importance of this discovery as the culmination of 100 years of research is emphasized. |
| Alaska: Marine Debris in the Wilderness | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. The text is a transcript of an interview with Peter Murphy, the Alaska Regional Coordinator of the NOAA Marine Debris Program. The interview highlights some of the challenges of removing marine debris in Alaska, specific projects, and goals for future work. |
| Chemistry in the Sunlight | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The article explains that sunlight is an important aspect of ozone formation. The ozone layer forms in the stratosphere, which is located above the layer of the atmosphere that we breathe (the troposphere). There is ozone formation also occurring in the troposphere, which is very toxic to living organisms, naturally but mostly due to by-products from the burning of fossil fuels and other human activities. The text describes the different chemical processes of ozone formation in these two layers of the atmosphere. |
| Low-Oxygen "Dead Zones" in North Pacific Linked to Past Ocean Warming | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. The text describes the results of a recent study that has found a link between past ocean warming and the onset of "dead zones" in the Pacific Ocean off Oregon and Washington. |
| Clues to Future of Undersea Exploration May Reside Inside a Jellyfish-like Creature | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The article relates the findings of a study by four scientists about siphonophores, a relatively little-studied organism related to jellyfish and corals. Their study focuses on this organism's ability to move through the water column in a coordinated fashion and how this knowledge may help humans propel themselves efficiently underwater. |
| Good News and Bad News for Coral Reefs | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. Through discussion of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument in the central Pacific, this text offers perspective on how political factors can greatly influence ecology. The article explains some of the benefits of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) like the Marine National Monument, which often include pristine coral reefs and exceptional biodiversity, using the example of MPAs in the Philippines. It also briefly describes global threats to MPAs. |
| Climate Can Grind Down Mountains Faster Than They Can Rebuild | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The article describes the relationship between plate tectonics and erosion in the formation of Earth's surfaces and discusses how scientists are measuring the impact of both of these processes. The article presents findings from a recent study that shows, through data from sediment cores, that erosion is occurring faster than mountain building by plate tectonics. |
| Purple Haze: Ancient Pigment Reveals Secrets about Unusual State of Matter | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The text explains how extreme cooling of an ancient pigment comprised of metallic compounds, as well as exposure to strong magnetic fields, converts the matter into a state called a Bose-Einstein condensate. In this state, the behavior of electrons within the pigment's atoms shifts and they form a single magnetic three dimensional structure. When the condensate is cooled even further in this case, the magnetic structure loses a dimension. |
| Spider Venom Could Yield Eco-Friendly Insecticides | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. A biochemist is studying spider venom to see if it can be used to control agricultural pests. The venom is harmless to vertebrates but kills insects that may kill crops. If successful, the spider venom could be used to replace chemical pesticides that are harmful to humans, wildlife, and the environment. In addition, insects that destroy crops are becoming resistant to these chemical insecticides but would not be resistant to bioinsecticides. |
| The Mythology of Natural Selection | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. The text describes how natural selection occurs when mutations occur in an individual's DNA sequence. Two different populations can have two different genetic mutations yet end up with a similar phenotype. |
| It's Hot...Super Hot: Finding Answers Around the Sun | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The text describes how researchers are using the Hinode satellite from Japan to uncover new explanations for the long-puzzled-after solution behind the searing temperature of the corona of the Sun. |
| Flying Lab to Investigate Southern Ocean's Appetite for Carbon | This informational text resource is designed to support reading in the content area. The text describes how scientists led by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) are set to launch a series of flights over the Southern Ocean in order to collect data on how the air and seas surrounding Antarctica exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. It is hoped that this data will help us with future predictions about climate change, and maybe even lead to new insights on how the ocean works. |
| Long-held Theory on Human Gestation Refuted | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. This is a fine synopsis of a previously reported (and highly technical) study that shows the thought process behind challenging an existing theory. The subject is human evolution and the biology of childbirth. It encompasses basic anthropology concepts such as walking upright, as well as the biology of energy needs in pregnancy. Long-held views (that narrow birth canals are required for bipedalism) are debunked by careful analysis of how women with varying hip widths actually walk—and the authors found no difference. |
| The Indian River Lagoon: An Estuary of National Significance | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. What is the Indian River Lagoon? Why is the lagoon an estuary of “national significance?” What are some of the environmental challenges the lagoon faces? These questions represent interesting and relevant content explored in this informative text about one of Florida’s most important estuaries. The text also has the potential to be used as an anchor text to segue into further areas of inquiry such as the role of water management districts, restoration initiatives, and the death of wildlife on the Indian River Lagoon. |
| Fractal Geometry Overview | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. The article indicates that traditional geometry does not suffice in describing many natural phenomena. The use of computers to implement repeated iterations can generate better models. Offered by IBM, this text can be used in a high school geometry class to demonstrate applications of similarity and to illustrate important ways that geometry can be used to model a wide range of scientific phenomena. |
| Killing a Patient to Save His Life | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. This article explores a controversial clinical trial being conducted by the University of Pittsburgh. Scientists are exploring more efficient ways to save lives when patients enter the emergency room in critical condition. The idea involves draining the patient's blood and replacing it with freezing saltwater to induce a hypothermic state that will buy doctors more time to save human lives. This is causing an ethical debate as patients will be essentially clinically dead during this procedure. The technique is known as Emergency Preservation and Resuscitation (EPR). |
| Polar Bears and Climate Change | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. Polar bears are highly specialized to living on sea ice in the Arctic including their dependence on two species of seals. Therefore, scientists expect polar bears to be greatly affected by climate changes due to their habitat (reduced sea ice) and prey availability. These effects include increased movement, fewer den areas, and decreased prey access, which are predicted to have a variety of negative consequences on polar bears in the future. |
| Better Catalysts for the Petrochemical Industry | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. Zeolites are catalysts necessary for the production of gasoline from crude oil. One problem with zeolites is that their pores can be clogged by reaction products. To solve this, scientists have recently created zeolites that are have greater pore connectivity, which turns out to be a better, and also cheaper, method of producing catalysts for the petrochemical industry. |
| In the Fog about Smog | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. Smog began appearing in Los Angeles in the 1940s and became a problem for decades. Scientists were able to figure out the cause of smog only after intensive study of organic compounds in the air. After discovering that nitrogen oxides from car exhaust were a primary ingredient in smog, it took years of policy changes and industrial innovation to reduce air pollution and resolve the smog issue in LA and worldwide. |
| The Science Behind Superstorm Sandy's Crippling Storm Surge | This informational text is intended to support reading in the content area. This text describes the devastation that Superstorm Sandy caused and why there was so much destruction in the areas affected, especially New Jersey and New York. The author delves into areas such as floods, hurricane prediction, and methods that may prevent such destruction from happening again. |
| NASA's Quest for Green Rocket Fuel Passes Big Test | This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. This text introduces AF-M315E, a "green" or environmentally friendly jet fuel, to potentially be used by NASA instead of hydrazine, which is known to be both toxic to humans and volatile for control of satellites and spacecraft. |
| Snapshots Differentiate Molecules from Their Mirror Image | This informational text is intended to support reading in the content area. This article describes how scientists were able to reveal the spatial structure of left-handed and right-handed chiral molecules in gaseous solutions by using a combination of mass spectrometry and the Coulomb explosion. |
