Using Benthic Marcoinvertebrates Captured by Rock Baskets to Determine Biodiversity in a River. part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this ecology investigation, students will build and place rock baskets to collect benthic macroinvertebrates in a local waterway. They will observe and identify their macroinvertebrates and use the data to determine the pollution tolerance index for various areas of a river.

"Chemory" the game part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Matching game, including matching common ionic charges and ions and the compounds they form and naming of greek prefixes for covalent molecules.

Tic Tac Toe - Pick 3 in a Row Atomic Model Assignment part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a summary/assessment assignment which allows for differentiation and student choice. Students are assessed in their knowledge of the atomic model and the arrangement of elements on the periodic table.

Conductivity of water part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
It this exercise the students will discover that pure water does not conduct electricity and that dissolving different substances in water may or may not cause it to conduct electricity.

The Flow of Energy: Balancing Ecosystems part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a guided inquiry by students into balancing ecosystems through food chains and webs.

Oobleck - What State's the Matter part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This inquiry is a classroom and lab based activity where the students will investigate state of matter and, as a group, determine what properties describe what state of matter.

Let's get sedimental: A study of the process of sediment deposition and particle sorting part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this classroom lab, students will investigate particle sorting and deposition.

Lighting the Way: Electrical Circuits and Lamp Wiring part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This self-paced unit for students in grades 6-9 provides an opportunity to explore basic electrical circuits and demonstrate the new knowledge by wiring a lamp, explaining the components of the lamp that are important for the flow of electricity, and completing a schematic of the lamp circuitry.

Energy Flow through Organisms: An Introduction to Photosynthesis and Respiration part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This classroom activity introduces students to energy flow through organisms, producers & photosynthesis, and consumers & respiration.

7th Grade Life Science at the Observatory: Life Throughout the Universe part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This classroom activity will show students that there is a lot we don't know about science, for example life throughout the universe. It will hopefully encourage students to question what we know and don't know, and exploration and study of the unknown.