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Bringing Real-World STEM Experiences to the Classroom by using miniPCR For schools grappling with budget constraints, biotech equipment costs can make it difficult to give students true-to-life learning experiences. One biology teacher has found a new resource that makes real-world instruction more affordable. View »
What's the Big Idea? Understanding the Laboratory Experience in the AP* Chemistry Curriculum If you teach AP* Chemistry, you’re already aware, or need to be, that changes to the course curriculum are here, which means you’ll probably have to change your classroom instruction. To help relieve your anxiety, here’s an overview of the course revisions, some important dates to remember, and 2 ways Carolina can help to ensure your success during this transition. View »
Coming into the Genome Age Part III: The Molecular Genetic Basis of PTC Tasting This experiment links genotype to phenotype and puts a contemporary spin on an old standby of classical genetics. View »
Coming into the Genome Age Part II: Exploring Human Variation and Evolution This article introduces an experiment that allows students to use their own DNA differences (polymorphisms) to explore human variation, relatedness, and evolution. View »
Coming into the Genome Age Part I: The Challenge to Science Education Explore resources and activities from the Dolan DNA Learning Center. View »
Coming into the Genome Age Part IV: Detecting Transgenes in Genetically Modified Food Molecular genetic techniques have been used to add transgenes into the genomes of a number of important food plants. View »
5 Steps to Teaching Inquiry in Your Science Classroom Worried about the inquiry lab requirement of the College Board's AP lab curriculum? Here are some great tips from an educator who's already done it. View »
Give Your Students That "A-ha" Moment Carolina is proud to announce its partnership with the educational outreach team of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology to provide educational kits that give students that “aha!” moment. The Institute’s educational products focus on addressing common student misconceptions and introducing students to potential career paths in biotechnology. The Institute also provides valuable FREE digital resources for educators. View »
Basic Right Triangle Trigonometry Brief review of the basic trigonometry functions (sine, cosine and tangent) often used when solving two dimensional and projectile motion problems. View »
Bees, Butterflies, and Flowers Introduce your students to the symbiotic relationships between these organisms and to their impact on our food supply and environment. Carolina product developer Brent Atkinson offers background information, a brief discussion of each relationship, and tips for using your schoolyard to attract and sustain pollinating insects. View »
Natural Selection Meets Flipped Mastery When Benjamin Bloom introduced mastery learning in the mid 1980s, it was impractical for teachers to implement. Today, widely available technology makes it a practical option. Science teacher Hassan Wilson describes how you can use mastery and flipped learning to revamp your lessons on natural selection. View »
Keep Calm and Chemistry On: Tips for the New Chemistry Teacher Learn fresh ways to create interest in your chemistry lab. These easy, engaging, and safe activities are sure to produce a reaction from your students. Designed for the new teacher, but the experienced can find something useful, too. View »
Hands-On Learning that Truly Works—A Case Study A teacher trainer discovers a robust, workable solution to help teachers statewide establish science know-how in their students early on. View »
From Jellyfish to the Bench: How Green Fluorescent Protein Is Used in Research Students may be familiar with green fluorescent protein (GFP) from classwork or seeing transgenic animals in their local pet store. However, they may not know that it’s also an important research tool. Use this overview to help them discover how scientists use GFP to study many of the major questions in biology. View »
Case Study: Moving from Literacy to Fluency in STEM—A Recipe for Success A dedicated leader in national STEM education efforts turns to a trusted resource to help move students from literacy to fluency. View »
Bacteriophages in Human Disease: Friends and Foes Help your students understand the connection between bacteriophages and human disease. This scholarly overview explores how bacteriophages have helped and hindered humans in their quest to overcome certain diseases. Use it as assigned reading or to kick off a classroom discussion. View »
A Flipped Inquiry Approach to Teaching Natural Selection Natural selection, although fascinating, can be difficult to understand. By combining the flipped learning approach with inquiry, you can engage your students as they explore the concept firsthand. View »
Examples to Use When Teaching About Selection and Evolution: Fox Domestication and Poison Resistance in Rodents To make abstract science concepts more concrete, teachers often use real-life examples. But even classic examples can lose their appeal. Refresh your lessons on evolution and selection with 2 less well known examples. View »
Carolina's Recommended Reading for AP® Biology Teaching AP® Biology this year? Go beyond the textbook and take students on an exploration of key concepts with these teacher-tested and recommended books. View »
Infographic: Types Of Gears Learn about the many types of gears and where you may find them in the world around you. View »
The Science Behind Lactose Intolerance Rumbly tummy after that milkshake? It could be lactose intolerance. In this brief overview, we’ll examine its causes, symptoms, and genetic underpinnings—plus point you toward some resources for further investigation. View »
Infographic: Simple Machines This infographic profiles four of the six simple machines: inclined plane, pulley, lever, wheel and axle. View »
Population Genetics and Evolution: Asking the Right Questions AP® Biology: It’s a question of shifting population genetics! Apply the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium model with Wisconsin Fast Plants® and independent student research. See a sample student question sheet from our featured kit’s activities. View »
From Euglena to Zebra Fish: An Overview of the Diversity of Eyes Did you know scientists study zebrafish to gain further understanding of diseases of the human eye? Why is this? What is the connection between zebrafish and human vision? View »
Studying Genomes in the Madagascar Forest Using miniPCR® When it’s difficult to bring DNA samples to a lab, why not bring the lab to the samples? Find out how a portable thermal cycler is changing the way a biological anthropologist performs her research. View »
Carolina Investigations® for AP® Biology: Cell Communication This kit is an engaging inquiry lesson where students observe communication between yeast cells. View »
How to Make a Good Scientific Model Are your students able to generate observations and construct a scientific model? Use our free scientific model checklist to help guide them. View »
Using Interactive Case Studies to Meet the New Science Standards Learn about the benefits of using Interactive Case Studies to teach science concepts View »
Measuring pH: Indicators, Paper, and Meters Many activities require pH testing, including chemistry titrations, environmental science water quality testing, and biological processes labs. This article covers tools and techniques. View »
Video: Comparing DNA Sequences This engaging video by science teacher Paul Andersen shows you how to compare DNA sequences to understand evolutionary relationships. View »
How Do They Hiss? and Other Madagascar Hissing Cockroach Questions Answered The Madagascar hissing cockroach is one of the most widely recognized exotic insects because of its large size and dynamic behavior. Read on to learn more about it . . . View »
Meet the 4 New Elements on the Periodic Table Introduce students to the basics of how elements get their names with this brief article. View »
Gravity This brief introduction to gravity explores Newton's law of gravitation, Einstein's theory of general relativity, and quantum gravity. View »
Integrating Engineering into the Science Classroom with Carolina STEM Challenge® Kits Carolina STEM Challenge® kits can help you integrate engineering principles into your curriculum--in ways that are effective, easy, and fun. Find out how in this white paper. View »
Debunking the 4° C Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Myth Do samples need to be refrigerated immediately after PCR? No. You can leave them at room temperature overnight—and much longer! The founders of miniPCR® explore why. View »
Bees at School Bradley James, co-owner of Beepods, explains the benefits of keeping bees at school. Learn about the buzz, and why bees are the perfect organism to engage students and promote hands-on learning. View »
Bioluminescence Explained Learn how bioluminescent organisms produce light, and explore the evolution behind this fascinating concept of biology. It’s more brilliant than you think . . . View »
Innovative STEM Funding Program Engages Local Community See how one educator uses creative funding to provide her district's students with quality STEM materials. View »
Writing for Assessments Use these resources to help your students practice writing for assessments. Each prompt includes explanatory information about techniques, examples, and practice questions. View »