Labs and Activities for Inquiry-Based and Socially-Relevant Science Teaching
Teachers will learn about recent advances in plant biology research, and bring these standards-aligned topics into their classrooms via labs, classroom resources and plant science "Experiment Kits." A germination biology lab, and grass to gas lab will be demonstrated.

Playing with Electro-Magnetism: Building Mental Models with Simple Motors
Participants will construct three simple motors to be used in a series of hands-on/minds-on activities related to electromagnetism. A brief introductory lesson will be presented on guided inquiry and analogies related to student's learning. Hand-outs and free materials will be provided.

From Juice to Juice
With iodine, blackberry juice, and a few simple materials learn how to create a working solar cell that mimics the process of photosynthesis.

In this two-part workshop, participants will investigate the interaction between light and matter. It is recommended to attend both workshops, but attending either as a standalone is an option.

Light to Lenses
Explore the path of visible light as it travels through a lens and build a camera obscura to take back to the classroom.

Lenses to Life
Investigate how living organisms see images using a broad range of the electromagnetic spectrum and dissect a sheep eyeball to get a first-hand look at the anatomy of the eye.

2011 is the year of the comet and asteroid encounters! Learn about NASA missions during this International Year of the Solar System, receive NASA instructional resources, and try out some engaging NASA-developed classroom activities.All activities are different in Encounters I and II.

Comets and Asteroid Encounters I
(geared to middle school)
Activities focus on size and scale; models;composition and formation of Solar System bodies; imaging; and navigating spacecraft to a moving target.

Comet and Asteroid Encounters II
(geared to high school)
Activities focus on interactions of matter & energy; comet science & vocabulary; compare & construct comet nuclei; navigating spacecraft to a moving target; and spacecraft instrumentation.