What makes things move? part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is an inquiry approach to teaching what force is. Students will learn what push, pull, gravity, and friction are.

Air Is Matter part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is a series of investigations about air and its properties. How air exists all around us, and things it is capable of doing.

Scientific Observations: A Schoolyard BioBlitz part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a classroom and field activity where students learn about and practice scientific observations in the classroom and then complete a field activity by making and recording scientific observations on school grounds.

Plant Field Study: Adaptations of Plants for Survival in Different Environments part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is a field investigation where students observe plants in a school forest setting . Students then compare adaptations of plants from different parts of the forest.

Using Plant Surveys to Study Biodiversity part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation in which students conduct a plant survey of two study plots, analyze their findings through graphing and mathematic models, investigate the impact of human activity in the general area (optional) and generate questions for further investigation of the study plots.

Analyzing the motion of a marble down a ramp part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This lab activity has students rolling a marble down a ramp to study position, velocity, and acceleration.

Investigating simple plants part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Students will observe simple plants, develop an investigable question, and form an investigation. They will document their investigation in their science notebooks.

Using Simpson's Reciprocal Index to Identify and Compare Habitat Biodiversity part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field investigation where students will compare the biodiversity of two separate habitats based on the collection and identification of insects.

Make a Model Fossil part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a combination outdoor/indoor lab where students will collect natural materials from the environment and use them to create both a mold and cast model of a fossil. Students will learn how a fossil is formed and why scientists use models to help them understand how things work and develop.

Stream Study: An Investigation of an Aquatic Ecosystem part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field study where students gather data on a stream based upon their protocol. They will correlate their data with another group and present their results to the class. They will develop and defend in class a new experimental question for a spring study.