NGSS Tools
Tools to help educators meet the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and deepen learning Handouts / Tables / Matrices that Summarize the NGSS "Three Dimensions of NGSS" "Disciplinary Core Ideas in the NGSS" "Inside the NGSS Box Diagram" "Science and...
Sustainability Education Resources
Climate Change, Climate Justice + Sustainability lesson plans and supporting resources: Free lesson plans and supporting resources from the Bay Area Environmental-STEM Institute (BAESI) Green Ninja Curriculum (NGSS-approved for middle school; project-based approach)...
Integrating Climate Change + Other Earth Science Topics with Biology + Physical Science
BAESI is developing a series of lesson plans designed to help teachers integrate climate change and other Earth science concepts with the other sciences. Part of our motivation stems from a desire to help high school teachers integrate these critically important...
Albedo, Melting Ice, and Feedback Loops Lesson Plan
In BAESI's new "Albedo, Melting Ice, and Feedback Loops Lesson Plan" lesson, students gain experience with the scientific method while they do two experiments to learn about how changing the reflectivity of Earth’s surface materials and feedback loops impact Earth’s...
Modeling Seafloor Spreading Lesson Plan
In BAESI's new "Modeling Seafloor Spreading" lesson, students create models which show the formation of new oceanic crust through seafloor spreading and its destruction in subduction zones. They incorporate the concept of magnetic polarity reversal evident in the...
Modeling the Formation of Ocean Currents
In BAESI's new "Modeling the Formation of Ocean Currents" lesson, students do experiments with models of ocean saltwater, cold seawater, and warm water to help them understand how cold water and salty water are denser than warm and less salty water. This prepares them...
Carbon Travels—Then and Now
In BAESI's new “Carbon Travels--Then and Now” lesson plan and simulation, students play the role of carbon atoms to learn about the carbon cycle and how it is changing. Adapted from the Carbon Travels activity at STEM Earth Central, students create two carbon cycle...
Pika Models + Climate Change Lesson Plan
BAESI's new "Pika Models + Climate Change" lesson plans are adapted from the 2016 Science Framework for California Public Schools (pp. 839-841). Students explore the life of pikas, tiny mammals that live in alpine areas, and how they are being impacted by climate...
Excellent Weather + Climate Resources
American Meteorological Society page of weather resources, with many items useful to teaching. Good links to National Weather Service (NWS) resources, also. Geostationary Satellite Server from NOAA: Wonderful imagery from the GOES National Weather Service (NWS):...
BAESI Climate Connections Workshop Resources, March 2018
Explore the resources from the Climate Connections Workshop from March 17, 2018.
All Points North: Climate + Climate Solutions Workshop 2016
July 11: Day 1 Dr. Cordero's Sessions Introduction to BAESI and the Green Ninja (downloads a .PDF file) Science Slides (opens a Google Drive .PDF) Brief Science Slides (downloads a .PDF file) Energy Tracker Curriculum (downloads a .PPT file) ET-7 Power Meter Activity...
Earth and Human Activity Workshop Resources
BAESI Earth and Human Activity Flyer - May 14, 2016 The following electronic resources were utilized for this workshop: Lesson-3.12a-introduction-to-environmental-impact-analysis-scaffold: .docx, .pdf...
The Nature of Science Card Game
This group activity analyzes common views about science. Teaching the Nature of Science (.PDF) BAESI Nature of Science Handout (.DOC) Card Exchange Statements and Categories - to Print (.DOC) Nature of Science activity steps (.PPT)
Are We Related? An Evolution Memory Game
In this activity, students explore incidents of homology in nature and analyze similarities and differences in body structures of animals. Are We Related? Lesson plan (.PDF) Are We Related? Student worksheet (.PDF) Birds and T-rex: Evidence (.PDF)...
Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium: Bean Activity
Explore genetic drift, allele frequency, and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in this hands-on activity. Hardy-Weinberg Bean Activity (.DOC)
Evolution and the Fossil Record: A Visual Textbook
This short .PDF textbook covers the fossil record, natural selection, and evidence of evolution. Evolution and the Fossil Record (.PDF)
Fact Sheet: California State Fossil
The sabertoothed cat Smilodon californicus is the state fossil of California. Sabertoothed Cat (.PDF)
What Killed the Dinosaurs? Exploratory Activities
https://qrius.si.edu/teachers/online/science-teaching-resources/mass-extinction-large-dinosaursMass Extinction of Large Dinosaurs and More Lesson Plans, Videos, and more PBS Evolution: What Killed the Dinosaurs?
This complete class activity utilizes teamwork and collaboration to find the best explanations for limited evidence. The Great Fossil Find
The Big Five Mass Extinctions
Explore this excellent resource on the causes and consequences of past mass extinctions on Earth from the BBC. The Big Five Mass Extinctions
Biological Diversity: How It Stops Disease From Spreading
This hands-on, group activity shows how a biologically diverse ecosystem protects all members from disease and pests. Includes follow-up discussion questions for the class. Biodiversity: How It Stops Disease from Spreading