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Science on This Day: December 11 | Apollo 17, Robert Koch, and the Kyoto Protocol
Explore three important events in science history on December 11! Discover how Apollo 17 advanced lunar geology, how Robert Koch helped establish the role of bacteria in infectious disease, and how the Kyoto Protocol connected climate science with international action. Includes classroom discussion ideas for space science, microbiology, and climate change, plus more STEM events to explore throughout December.
5 days ago8 min read


Science on This Day: December 9 | The Computer Demo That Predicted the Future, Smallpox Eradication, and Fritz Haber
Explore December 9 in science history! Discover Douglas Engelbart’s groundbreaking 1968 computer demonstration, the 1979 certification of smallpox eradication, and Fritz Haber’s role in developing industrial ammonia synthesis. These events connect computing, biology, chemistry, agriculture, and scientific ethics, with practical discussion ideas for middle and high school science classrooms.
5 days ago9 min read


Science on This Day: December 8 | Galileo’s Earth Flyby, Eli Whitney, and the Chemistry of RNA
Explore December 8 in science history! Discover how NASA’s Galileo spacecraft used Earth’s gravity to travel towards Jupiter, how Eli Whitney’s inventions transformed cotton processing and manufacturing, and how Thomas Cech revealed that RNA can act as a catalyst. These science history stories connect physics, engineering, chemistry and biology, with practical classroom discussion ideas for middle and high school teachers.
5 days ago8 min read


Science on This Day: December 4 | Building a Space Station, Uncovering DNA, and Testing Human Limits
Discover three science milestones from December 4! Explore how the International Space Station began taking shape, how Alfred Hershey’s research helped show that DNA carries genetic information, and how Gemini 7 tested the limits of human spaceflight. These events make engaging science starters for middle and high school. Explore 132 daily STEM events in the December Science on This Day activity set, with interactive HTML, slides, spreadsheet and printable PDF.
Oct 226 min read


Science on This Day: November 18 | The Chemistry of Photography and the Biology of Vision
Explore November 18 science history through Louis Daguerre, the pioneer of early photography, and George Wald’s research into the chemistry of vision. Discover classroom ideas connecting light, chemical reactions, the eye and scientific evidence, with practical discussion prompts for middle and high school. Find more daily STEM stories in The Teaching Astrophysicist’s November Science on This Day resource set.
Oct 187 min read


Emergency Sub Plans for Middle School Biology: Ready-to-Use Life Science Lessons
Need reliable emergency sub plans for middle school biology or life science? This practical guide explains how to build ready-to-use substitute lessons using science reading passages, anchor charts, graphic organizers, research projects and independent activities. Explore ideas for genetics, cells, ecology, human biology, neurobiology, cellular respiration and more, with adaptations for upper elementary and high school.
Sep 2915 min read


High School Biology Vocabulary Words: The Ultimate Life Science Spelling and Vocabulary Guide for Scientific Literacy
Build scientific literacy with this comprehensive high school biology vocabulary guide. Explore essential life science terms related to cells, genetics, evolution, ecology, microbiology, biotechnology, and human body systems. Perfect for biology teachers seeking classroom-ready vocabulary lists, spelling support, reading comprehension resources, and engaging science reading passages that strengthen academic language, critical thinking, and biology understanding.
Jun 294 min read


Why Seeds Are One of the Most Important Topics to Teach in Middle and High School Science
Why are seeds such an important topic in middle and high school science? Discover how seed biology helps students understand plant reproduction, germination, biodiversity, ecology, agriculture, adaptation, and sustainability. Explore practical teaching ideas and classroom-ready resources featuring slides, podcasts, assessments, reading passages, infographics, and inquiry projects that make plant science engaging, meaningful, and relevant to the real world.
Jun 186 min read


Why Mitosis and Meiosis Are Among the Most Important Topics to Teach in Middle and High School Science
Discover why mitosis and meiosis are among the most important biology topics in middle and high school science. Learn how teaching cell division builds understanding of genetics, heredity, evolution, reproduction, and human health while strengthening scientific literacy and critical thinking. Explore classroom-ready resources featuring slides, podcasts, differentiated reading passages, assessments, infographics, and inquiry projects that make complex concepts accessible and e
Jun 166 min read


Why Mapping Ecosystems Is One of the Most Important Topics in Middle and High School Science
Why is mapping ecosystems such an important topic in middle and high school science? Discover how studying food webs, biodiversity, habitats, and environmental change develops systems thinking, scientific literacy, and critical reasoning. Explore practical teaching ideas and classroom-ready ecosystem resources featuring slides, podcasts, reading passages, assessments, infographics, and inquiry projects that make ecology engaging and meaningful for today's students.
Jun 95 min read


Why Animal Individual vs Group Behavior Is One of the Best Biology Topics for Middle and High School Science
Discover why individual vs group behavior is one of the best biology topics for middle and high school science. Explore how animal cooperation, competition, migration, communication, and survival strategies build understanding of ecology, evolution, systems thinking, and STEM concepts. Includes classroom-ready focus unit resources with slides, podcasts, quizzes, reading passages, infographics, and inquiry-based research projects.
May 216 min read


6 Amazing Facts About Invasive Species That Make Ecology Feel Real
Teach invasive species with 6 amazing facts that make ecology feel real. This blog post covers the $423 billion global cost of invasive species, 37,000+ established alien species, brown tree snakes in Guam, Hydrilla regrowth from tiny fragments, zebra mussels filtering 1 liter of water a day, and Burmese pythons causing huge Everglades mammal declines. Includes practical classroom ideas, Two Truths & a Lie, and Micro-CER writing for science class.
Mar 116 min read


6 Brilliant Facts About Bacteria and Viruses (and how to teach them without a prep spiral)
6 brilliant bacteria and virus facts that hook middle and high school students fast. Learn classroom-ready ways to teach microbes with Two Truths & a Lie, quick bell ringers, and Micro-CER writing. Includes mind-blowing topics like bacteriophages, giant viruses, bioluminescence, magnetotactic bacteria, “electric” bacteria, and the 1:1 human cell to bacteria cell ratio.
Jan 105 min read


Key Genetics Practice Problems with Simple Punnett Squares
Help your students master Punnett squares with simple, classroom ready genetics practice problems. This blog post shares step by step examples, monohybrid and dihybrid crosses, plus engaging worksheet and sketch activities using coins and dice for middle and high school science.
Dec 4, 20259 min read


Why I Like Teaching Genetics with a Variety of Resources
Discover how to make genetics unforgettable with a varied mix of resources for middle and high school science. This post explores using reading passages, worksheets, projects, debates and hands-on probability activities to teach heredity, traits and genetic engineering in an engaging, low-prep way.
Dec 1, 20256 min read


8 Free Biology / Life Science Resources for Middle / High School Teachers
8 free Earth science resources: “Where do dead things go?”, insects, extreme adaptations, asexual reproduction & animal adaptations. Includes science reading passages with questions, research project templates, and a Strange-but-True + 2 Truths & a Lie activity set.
Oct 15, 20257 min read


Genetics Problems to Ensure Bio Practice + Answers
Comprehensive genetics unit for middle & high school: monohybrid & dihybrid inheritance, traits, DNA & RNA, genetic engineering, and population adaptations. Includes leveled readings, practice problems, activities, and assessments - ready to teach and differentiate.
Sep 23, 20254 min read


Dihybrid Cross Pea Punnett Square Worksheet Practice
Boost your genetics unit! Grab 21 engaging resources - slides, labs, 18 worksheets, pedigrees & a dice-powered dihybrid cross Punnett square game with pea plants, guinea pigs & more. Covers Mendelian genetics, phenotypic ratios, answer keys included. Ideal for middle & high school science teachers.
Jul 13, 20256 min read


Human Skeletal System Focus Unit on Anatomy & Bones
Boost your human skeletal system lessons with ready-to-use reading, project template, 5-level critical thinking scaffold + bone myth game. Science teachers grab the bundle and engage students!
Jun 5, 20256 min read


The Most Interesting Facts to Know About Worms
Engage science, biology & earth science students with The Most Interesting Facts About Worms. Explore earthworm anatomy, species diversity, soil health & vermicomposting tips to enrich your classroom lessons!
May 30, 20255 min read
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