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.

Dancing Raisins part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is an entire-class lab experiment that refreshes the concepts of sinking and floating, while introducing the concepts of bouyancy and density using the fizz from sprite (carbon dioxide gas) and raisins.

Exploration of Shadows in the Earth, Moon, and Sun System: Moon Phases and Eclipses part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This guided inquiry activity has students using models to create variations of alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. By varying their arrangement, students will discover how the positions of the Earth, Moon and Sun interact, how shadows can be cast on the Moon and on the Earth, and how Earth's view of the lit portion of the Moon changes.

Mini-Lab: Investigating Gas Laws part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a mini-lab where students determine relationships between gas laws and temperature, pressure, and volume; particularly Charles and Boyle's Law.

The Opposable Thumb As A Human Adaptation : Thumb-Taping Lab part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this biology activity, students will first brainstorm how humans use their hands. They will then conduct a short experiment to determine the importance of the opposable thumb to humans and how it is an important adaptation.

Determination of Chlorophyll in Olive Oil Using the Vernier Spectrometer part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this activity, students will investigate how much chlorophyll is in olive oil using a Varnier Spectrometer. Students will measure and analyze the visible light absorbance spectra of three standard olive oils obtained from any supermarket: extra virgin, regular, and light.

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.

The Rock Cycle: A hands on Simulation part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a hands-on simulation of the rock cycle.

What are communicable diseases and how can we prevent some of them? part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Students will learn that microorganisms can get inside one's body and they may keep it from working properly. Students will learn that vaccinations help to prevent some diseases but not others.

Shrinky Dink Chemistry part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a hands-on activity where students learn about polymers and the science of plastics, while making shrinky dinks.