A great way to make photosynthesis less abstract.

Many students in middle school have trouble understanding the energy involved in cellular processes such as photosynthesis. The authors present three activities that will transform the idea... See More

Many students in middle school have trouble understanding the energy involved in cellular processes such as photosynthesis. The authors present three activities that will transform the ideas of energy transfer into a concrete understanding. All activities can be performed by students with supplies easily located and affordable. These activities could easily be adopted for a middle school classroom. The activities are scaffolded to allow learners to develop background knowledge. The progression of activities will enable students to think critically and promote scientific inquiry. The first activity investigates the temperature difference of a small pan and large pan with the same amount of water heated with lamps. In the second activity students investigate leafs and surface areas. In the third activity, students investigate leaf size associated with the location of plants in shade versus direct sunlight. The activities could also be used cross curriculum to teach surface area in an authentic context. I really appreciate the authors’ connection to leafs acting as solar panels.

Leaves: Nature's Solar Collectors

The review of this article does not do it justice! Even though the lesson and examples are geared towards elementary students - my middle schoolers loved the analogy of leaves:solar collect... See More

The review of this article does not do it justice! Even though the lesson and examples are geared towards elementary students - my middle schoolers loved the analogy of leaves:solar collectors! This inquiry lessons includes everything our young scientists need to be engaged: a question that includes the outdoors, cooperative investigating, and art. I shared this engaging activity with our art teacher (students draw leaf details onto grid paper) and students were once again reminded of science's overlap in their real world!