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So the school year has started, the summer seems a distant memory,
and maybe you find yourself thinking, “I’d really like some new and
different lab activities for this semester.” Well, you’re in luck.
We’ve been hard at work here at Carolina and have a little
something new for everyone. From entomology to geology, for that
young budding scientist to the AP® student waiting for the next
challenge, and all students in between and beyond, here’s a taste
of some of the newest kits Carolina has to offer.
 The Tectonic SandboxIn honor of Earth Science week, October 11–17, let’s start off with one of our newest earth science products, The Tectonic Sandbox. Demonstrate convergent and divergent boundaries using this apparatus and the included colored sands. Its unique design allows it to be turned on its side for an additional demonstration of transform boundaries. The materials included allow this demonstration to be performed several times over. Plant Chromatography and Photosynthesis Kit With the arrival of fall comes the vibrant change in the color of leaves and a great opportunity to capture students’ attention and investigate the process of photosynthesis. We have 2 new kits that will aid in this investigation. The Plant Chromatography and Photosynthesis Kit lets students analyze photosynthetic pigments using thin-layer chromatography. Its uniquely formulated chromatography solvent is a safer alternative to normal PET-ether chromatography solvent and extremely effective in showing clear banding patterns. Students will also design and conduct an experiment to test factors that limit the light reaction of photosynthesis.  Modeling Photosynthesis: The Calvin Cycle KitOnce students examine photosynthetic pigments and limiting factors of the light reaction of photosynthesis, they can delve into the step-by-step process of photosynthesis on a molecular level with Modeling Photosynthesis: The Calvin Cycle Kit. Working in cooperative groups, students use molecular models to explore the reduction of carbon dioxide to various organic molecules during the Calvin cycle. After each group models a different reaction in the Calvin cycle, they present their modeled reactions to the class and discuss what is released and/or consumed during that reaction. The kit provides an excellent opportunity for all types of learners, especially kinesthetic, to develop a concrete understanding of this abstract process.  Young Scientist’s Animal Dissection KitFor those responsible for motivating budding young scientists at the elementary level, we have revised and updated our Young Scientist’s Animal Dissection Kit. It now includes full-color, step-by-step student dissection instructions with anatomically labeled images for all the specimens included in the kit: earthworm, crayfish, grasshopper, and frog. The student dissection instructions, which are included in all the kits in our Young Scientist’s Series, also contain additional information about the specimens’ anatomy and some questions to help guide your students through their independent study and comparison of animal morphology. ElemInquiry™ Series Kits Our new ElemInquiry™ series includes 2 new guided-inquiry class kits for the elementary level. The first, the Exploring Microscopic Life Kit, aids students in honing their basic microscope skills as they investigate the needs of living things through observations of 2 protists, Stentor and Spirostomum. In the second, the Exploring Beetle Behavior Kit, students observe the characteristics and behaviors of Superworms and darkling beetles, and then design and conduct investigations to learn more about the behaviors of these unique invertebrates. The Forensics Body Fluid Slide Set Finally, with October being the month of ghosts and goblins, it seems like a good time to turn attention to forensic science. The Forensics Body Fluid Slide Set is one of our newest forensic investigation kits. Students will investigate 3 forensic scenarios in which they have to indentify prepared microscope slides of unknown body fluid samples and compare them to a visual database of known samples. Students will examine the morphology of spermatozoa and red blood cells in various species, and distinguish gender based on chromosome analysis and the presence of Barr bodies. These are just a few of the new products that we have been working on for you. I hope they are as exciting and interesting to you and your students as they were to us as we developed them. Have a great start to the new school year. "What's Happening at Carolina" Archive |
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