In this sequence of lessons, students explore the deer mouse and its fur color and how it has evolved over time in different habitats. Students engage in the practices of science using a series of interactive computer simulations to create model(s) of evolutionary change across levels of biological organization, from molecules and cells to organisms and populations. NOTE: This sequence is designed specifically for use on touchscreen devices.

Explore the effect of an electric field on the electron distribution of an atom.

The goal of this activity is to demystify the science behind Punnett Squares and explore data and statistical representations in genetics and heredity. Begin by breeding two parent mice and observe the ratios in the pie chart as more offspring are bred in each litter. Compare the ratios between different pairs of parents and identify how they are different or similar. Finally, use the simulation controls to show gametes and reveal how each offspring obtained its genotype from its parents.

Learn to connect position-time and velocity-time graphs. Explore velocity using an animated car icon connected to either a position-time or a velocity-time graph, or both. Then investigate other motion graphs.

Determine the dew point temperature for your classroom through a hands-on experiment. Use humidity and temperature probes to investigate the temperature at which it would rain in your classroom! Learn about water density and the conditions necessary to produce fog or rain.

This activity introduces the role of diffusion in supplying cells with nutrients and removing wastes.

Explore how molecules can cross a cell membrane and learn about the nature of their movement. Set up the model with high oxygen and low carbon dioxide outside the cell and low oxygen and high carbon dioxide inside the cell. In which direction do the oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules move?

Explore the role of pore size in the diffusion of a substance across a membrane. Diffusion is the process of a substance spreading out from its origin. Molecules diffuse through random molecular motion. Diffusion is always happening, even when a system appears to have reached equilibrium, because molecules are always moving. Cells are selectively permeable, meaning that their membranes allow some substances to cross easily while others are unable to cross without assistance. Cell membranes are selectively permeable, in part because its pores are small, allowing the cell to prevent larger molecules from moving across the membrane.

Movement of ions in and out of cells is crucial to maintaining homeostasis within the body and ensuring that biological functions run properly. The natural movement of molecules due to collisions is called diffusion. Several factors affect diffusion rate: concentration, surface area, and molecular pumps. This activity demonstrates diffusion, osmosis, and active transport through 12 interactive models.

Explore the role of a molecule's mass with respect to its diffusion rate. Diffusion is the process of a substance spreading out from its origin. Molecules diffuse through random molecular motion. Diffusion is always happening, even when a system appears to have reached equilibrium, because molecules are always moving. Massive molecules have more kinetic energy than less massive molecules at the same temperature.

Explore the role of temperature in the rate of diffusion of a substance. Diffusion is the process of a substance spreading out from its origin. Molecules diffuse through random molecular motion. Diffusion is always happening, even when a system appears to have reached equilibrium, because molecules are always moving. When molecules are heated, they move faster.

Explore the role of temperature in the rate of diffusion of a substance. Diffusion is the process of a substance spreading out from its origin. Molecules diffuse through random molecular motion. Diffusion is always happening, even when a system appears to have reached equilibrium, because molecules are always moving. When molecules are heated, they move faster.

Explore the strength and direction of forces between two charged objects by observing the color and direction of the force pointers.

Observe the direction of forces between a negatively charged Van de Graaff generator and a positively charged object.

Drag around a stationary charged object and observe the force on the stationary object when it is positive and negative.

Watershed Awareness using Technology and Environmental Research for Sustainability (WATERS)

The WATERS project is developing and researching a student-centered, place-based, and accessible curriculum for teaching watershed concepts and water career awareness for students in the middle grades. This 10-lesson unit includes online, classroom, and field activities. Students use a professional-grade online GIS modeling resource, simulations, sensors, and other interactive resources to collect environmental data and analyze their local watershed issues. The WATERS project is paving a path to increased access to research-based, open access curricula that hold the potential to significantly increase awareness of and engagement with watershed concepts and career pathways in learners nationwide.

This material is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. The software is licensed under Simplified BSD, MIT or Apache 2.0 licenses. Please provide attribution to the Concord Consortium and the URL https://concord.org.

Explore how the polarity of molecules affects how they mix (or don’t) when combined.

In this activity, you will use a computer model to investigate the earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that have occurred around the world since 1960.