Kenneth Clark
In this transcript of an interview for Eyes on the Prize, psychologist Kenneth Clark describes his research that illustrated the impact of racism on African American children.
The Growling Stomach
In this lesson, the students will investigate what types of plants and insects they could eat to survive in the Amazon. They will research various plants and/or insects and identify characteristics that make them edible or useful for the trip. The students will create posters and present their findings to the class.
Space
In this unit, students first are introduced to the historical motivation for space exploration. They learn about the International Space Station and are introduced to new and futuristic ideas that space engineers are currently working on to propel space research. Next, students learn about the physical properties of the Moon. They are asked to think about what types of products engineers would need to design for us to live comfortably on the Moon. Lastly, students learn some basic facts about as
Space Shelter
The invasion has taken place and we need to find a new home. To ensure your survival beyond earth's occupation you must design a shelter that can be built on another planet. Students will research the characteristics of a planet of their choice. They will design a shelter that will allow them to survive on a new planet, and explain it in words.
Cells
In this unit, students look at the components of cells and their functions and discover the controversy behind stem cell research. The first lesson focuses on the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In the second lesson, students learn about the basics of cellular respiration. They ...
Rolling Blackouts & Environmental Impact: What are our Electricity Options?
The goal is for the students to understand the environmental design considerations required when generating electricity. The electric power that we use every day at home and work is generated by a variety of power plants. Power plants are engineered to utilize the conversion of one form of energy to another. The main components of a power plant are an input source of energy that is used to turn large turbines, and a method to convert the turbine rotation into electricity. The input sources of en
It's the Law
Students will research the laws relating to tobacco in their own and other jurisdictions, debating the most effective approaches.
Discovering Important Statistical Concepts Using Spreadsheets (DISCUS)
DISCUS is a set of Microsoft Excel spreadsheets designed for teaching first year undergraduate level statistics. Students can use them on their own and do not need prior knowledge of Excel. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability, binomial distributions, and regression etc. This page has links to more info about each topic, an independent review of DISCUS, and a DISCUS download. It also links to information on the creation of a Spanish version of DISCUS called Tutorial para el Aprendi
Evaluating How Our Students Think and Learn: Research Results from the Trenches
This PowerPoint presentation addresses research on the thinking and learning processes of students and how increased knowledge of these processes can be used to structure lectures in a manner that will change the way students learn. It covers methods for course redesign, classroom assessment techniques, ...
Linear Algebra
When I started teaching this subject I found three kinds of texts. There were applications books that avoid proofs and cover the linear algebra only as needed for their applications. There were advanced books that assume that students can understand their elegant proofs and know how to answer the homework questions having seen only one or two examples. And, there were books that spend a good part of the semester multiplying matrices and computing determinants and then suddenly change level to wo
Optical Quantum Control
Explore an active area of research in optical physics: producing designer pulse shapes to achieve specific purposes, such as breaking apart a molecule. Carefully create the perfect shaped pulse to break apart a molecule by individually manipulating the colors of light that make up a pulse.
Eating and Exercise
How many calories are in your favorite foods? How much exercise would you have to do to burn off these calories? What is the relationship between calories and weight? Explore these issues by choosing diet and exercise and keeping an eye on your weight.
Contemporary Controversies in the Earth Sciences
This course will introduce you to a variety of topics from different disciplines within the Earth sciences, with the aim of piquing your interest in areas of current research being conducted here at Penn State.
Plate Tectonics and People: Foundations of Solid Earth Science
This course covers a mix of fundamental topics in solid Earth science such as plate tectonic theory as well as current research being conducted here at Penn State.
Bringing Water to a Lesotho Village
invites students to conduct research and then simulate a Lesotho village water committee that is designing a water supply system to improve living and health conditions.
Water: A Source of Life and Culture
asks students to research and analyze the role of water in daily life and create symbols to represent their findings. The students' symbols are then arranged to create a contemporary work of art.
Water Sources in Cape Verde and West Africa
allows students to research five methods of obtaining and/or conserving water, create displays, and give oral presentations of what they have learned to the diverse members of a simulated Cape Verdean community.
We'd Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover
Since the advent of book musicals such as "Show Boat" and "Oklahoma!", many Broadway shows have touched upon relevant social and historical issues. In this lesson, students will investigate how Broadway musicals can reflect the times in which they were created. Students will examine video clips and Web sites related to relevant productions, study song lyrics, and compare and contrast actual history with Broadway history. By becoming "historical detectives," they will determine how accurately Bro
Tracing Genetic Ancestry Using DNA Microarrays
In this lesson students will read and discuss an article about genetic ancestry and genetic ancestry testing. 2. Apply knowledge of DNA and heredity to understand DNA microarrays, and concepts of genetic mutation and ancestry tracking. 3. Mimic the function of a DNA microarray used for genetic ancestry analysis by completing a paper-and-pencil activity. 4. Discuss the ethics of genetic testing in medical research.
Digital Libraries, Winter 2008
This is a special topics seminar focusing on the current state of “digital libraries” broadly defined. The seminar is multi-disciplinary in focus and in method, covering the history of the idea, its manifestation as projects and programs in academic, non-profit, and research settings, and the suite of policy issues that influence their development and growth. The concept of the digital library will serve as an intellectual construct within which to explore the related concepts of scholarly c
