What do paleontologists, dinosaur tracks, and the nature of science have in common? They're combined here in an inquiry activity where students use methods of observation and inference to devise evidence-based explanations for the data they collect about dinosaur tracks, much like the methods used by paleontologists. Students then debate the…

This integrative, cross-curricular lab engages middle school biology students in an exercise involving ecology, arthropod biology, and mathematics. Students research the anatomy and behavioral patterns of a species of brine shrimp, compare the anatomy of adult and juvenile brine shrimp, and graph and interpret results. In this article, the authors…

In the atmosphere or on the ground, snow provides students with unique opportunities to discover winter weather patterns. Traditionally, when students study weather, it is limited to the collection of data one would see on a weather report. However, the interdisciplinary Students Synthesizing Snow data in Natural Objective Ways (SSSNOW) project…

Presents an interdisciplinary unit in which students ask questions about themselves, gather data, and participate in statistical analysis and graphing activities related to the data. Contains an assessment instrument and data sheet example. (DDR)

Describes an interdisciplinary investigation of air pollution in a school in which students wrote the proposals, set up experiments, analyzed their data, and formulated conclusions. (JRH)

Presents an interdisciplinary activity that combines math and science and enhances cooperative learning skills. Enables students to learn about the scientific method by designing an original research project, collecting and interpreting data, and drawing conclusions based on their research. (JRH)

While some textbooks still teach students that there is one scientific process that must be rigidly followed, this stagnant portrayal of the process of science can lead students to think that science and scientists are quite boring. Through integrating visual art and microscopy, students learn about the creativity of scientists and begin to…