This investigation introduces students to system dynamics modeling. It assumes that students have completed Introduction to Static Equilibrium Modeling as a pre-requisite.

This activity introduces fundamental characteristics of biological macromolecules. It supports the short version of the Lipids and Carbohydrates activity as well as the Proteins and Nucleic Acids activity. This is not a full activity, and is not meant to be used by itself.

The microscopic world is full of phenomena very different from what we see in everyday life. Some of those phenomena can only be explained using quantum mechanics. This activity introduces basic quantum mechanics concepts about electrons that are essential to understanding modern and future technology, especially nanotechnology. Start by exploring probability distribution, then discover the behavior of electrons with a series of simulations.

This investigation will introduce students to systems, systems modeling and computational thinking using static equilibrium modeling with SageModeler. This (or the 5-day version of this activity) is a pre-requisite for Introduction to Dynamic Modeling. This 2-day version jumps into student modeling more quickly and relies more heavily on the teacher to scaffold concepts of systems, modeling, and SageModeler.

This investigation will introduce students to systems, systems modeling and computational thinking using static equilibrium modeling with SageModeler. This (or the 2-day version of this activity) is a pre-requisite for Introduction to Dynamic Modeling. This 5-day version has more scaffolding of the concepts of systems, modeling, and SageModeler built into the student activity, but still requires teacher guidance.

Learn how to graph the inverse of a series of discrete and continuous. Also learn how to determine whether the inverse of a function is also a function.

There are billions of galaxies filled with billions of stars. Each star has the potential to have planets orbiting it. Does life exist on some of those planets? Explore the question, “Is there life in space?” Discover how scientists find planets and other astronomical bodies through the wobble (also known as Doppler spectroscopy or radial-velocity) and transit methods. Compare zones of habitability around different star types, discovering the zone of liquid water possibility around each star type. Explore how scientists use spectroscopy to learn about atmospheres on distant planets. You will not be able to answer the module's framing question at the end of the module, but you will be able to explain how scientists find distant planets and moons and how they determine whether those astronomical bodies could be habitable.

What farming practices can maintain good soil quality? Use the model to compare the effects of different landscapes, different crops, different tillage strategies, and climatic factors on soil quality and erosion rate. Watch the graphs to see how much topsoil is left in each zone and compare the erosion rates. Watch the soil quality indicator in the model to determine how different management plans affect soil quality.

Isaac Newton's famous thought experiment about what would happen if you launched a cannon from a mountaintop at a high velocity comes to life with an interactive computer model. You are charged with the task of launching a satellite into space. Control the angle and speed at which the satellite is launched, and see the results to gain a basic understanding of escape velocity.

This NetLogo model of leaf photosynthesis shows the macroscopic outcome of the reaction.

Learn how to graph lines with two methods: using x- and y-intercepts and using point-slope form. First, solve for x- and y-intercepts to graph a line. Then, identify an ordered pair from a linear equation in point-slope form to graph a line using this point and the slope.

Explore slopes of lines and see how slope is represented on the x-y axes. Graph a line with a given slope, use rise over run on the graph grid and determine slope when given the graph of a line.

Learn to apply linear equations and their graphs to real-world problems. Write an equation based on a word problem, and graph the line described by your equation. Relate the equation and the line to the situation described in words.

Graph lines using a slope and a y-intercept. Identify the slope and y-intercept from the equation of a line in slope-intercept form. This activity is useful for algebra students learning to graph lines for the first time, or for students who may need extra help or review with this topic.

People like to avoid large temperature swings in buildings because it's more comfortable. The heat capacity of the building is useful in reducing swings, especially in solar houses where the incoming energy varies with the amount of sunshine. This model allows you to explore the effect of heat capacity on temperature swings.

In this activity the temperature of a reaction is monitored for different concentrations of reactants.

Modify an existing molecule and observe how different atoms affect the electron distribution within the model.

Repeated motion is present everywhere in nature. Learn how to 'make waves' with your own movements using a motion detector to plot your position as a function of time, and try to duplicate wave patterns presented in the activity. Investigate the concept of distance versus time graphs and see how your own movement can be represented on a graph.

When heat energy is transferred from a warm to a cold object, one cools down and the other warms up, but the total energy remains the same. This model allows you to watch this process and explore how to determine the final temperature.