Bycatch can be defined as the act of unintentionally catching certain living creatures using fishing gear. A bycatched species is distinguished from a target species (the animal the gear is intended to catch) because it is not sold or used. Marine mammals (whales, dolphins, porpoises), seabirds, sea turtles and unwanted or undersized fish are some examples of animals caught as by-catch The incidental capture of these animals can significantly reduce their populations. The most well known example of by-catch may be the unintentional mortality of spotted and spinner dolphins in the tuna fishing industry. "Dolphin-Safe" tuna was a result of this interaction (Be prepared to discuss how this came about with students, as it is something close to their daily lives). One important aspect to consider when discussing this issue is that laws protect some of the animals caught as by-catch (Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act). In this lesson, students will first be shown pictures of entangled marine animals and will discuss the definition of by-catch This will lead to discussions on why by-catching exists, how it impacts specific animals as well as humans, whether the students believe it is an important issue, and how by-catch can be reduced.

Students investigate decomposers and the role of decomposers in maintaining the flow of nutrients in an environment. Students also learn how engineers use decomposers to help clean up wastes in a process known as bioremediation. This lesson concludes a series of six lessons in which students use their growing understanding of various environments and the engineering design process, to design and create their own model biodome ecosystems.

Students will explore the ways that plants get recycled into soil/food for other plants.

Students will read the complex text on compost and use the outdoor space to verify or deny the content of the text in the real-world setting.

In this lesson, students will use an existing compost pile to make observations that will help them better understand the decomposition process.

This biomimetic engineering challenge introduces students to the fields of nanotechnology and biomimicry. Students explore how to modify surfaces such as wood or cotton fabric at the nanoscale. They create specialized materials with features such as waterproofing and stain resistance. The challenge starts with student teams identifying an intended user and developing scenarios for using their developed material. Students then design and create their specialized material using everyday materials. Each students test each design under specific testing constraints to determine the hydrophobicity of the material. After testing, teams iterate ways to improve their self-cleaning superhydrophobic modification technique for their design. After iterating and testing their designs, students present their final product and results to the class.

STUDENT ACTIVITY - 3rd - TX/GAThis is a distance- learning lesson students can complete at home. Students will explore the outdoors for examples of organisms having their needs met and will be given an event that might cause that organism to thrive, move, or perish.This activity was created by Out Teach (out-teach.org), a nonprofit providing outdoor experiential learning to transform Science education for students in under-served communities.

To evaluate the different integumentary systems found in the animal kingdom, students conduct an exploratory research-based lab. During the activity, students create a model epidermis that contains phosphorescent powder and compare the results to a control model. After learning about the variations of integumentary systems—systems that comprise the skin and other appendages that act to protect animal bodies from damage—students act as engineers to mimic animal skin samples. Their goal is to create a skin sample that closely represents the animal they are mimicking while protecting the base ‘epidermis’ from UV light.

STUDENT ACTIVITY - K -- VAThis is a distance-learning lesson students can complete at home.Students will identify 5 senses and use them to make observations of the natural world.This activity was created by Out Teach (out-teach.org), a nonprofit providing outdoor experiential learning to transform Science education for students in under-served communities. .

Students will learn about the ways garden organisms depend on each other in their environment for survival. Animals eat plants and/or other animals for food this will show students how energy is transferred from the sun to living things.

With a continued focus on the Sonoran Desert, students are introduced to the concepts of food chains and food webs through a PowerPoint® presentation. They learn the difference between producers and consumers and study how these organisms function within their communities as participants in various food chains. They further understand ecosystem differences by learning how multiple food chains link together to form intricate and balanced food webs. At lesson end, students construct food webs using endemic desert species.

Students will observe organisms in their ecosystem and describe the flow of energy in food webs

In this video collaboration from Khan Academy and 23andMe, you'll learn about the basics of cells, chromosomes, and the genes contained in your DNA.

In this video collaboration from Khan Academy and 23andMe, you'll learn about the basics of cells, chromosomes, and the genes contained in your DNA.

In this video collaboration from Khan Academy and 23andMe, you'll learn about the variations in human DNA called SNPs, and how they can be used to understand relationships between people.

In this video collaboration from Khan Academy and 23andMe, you'll learn about the variations in human DNA called SNPs, and how they can be used to understand relationships between people.

In this video collaboration from Khan Academy and 23andMe, you'll learn how chromosomes and genes are passed down from parent to child.

In this video collaboration from Khan Academy and 23andMe, you'll learn how chromosomes and genes are passed down from parent to child.

In this video collaboration from Khan Academy and 23andMe, you'll learn how your observable traits, or phenotypes, are the result of interactions between your genes and environment.

In this video collaboration from Khan Academy and 23andMe, you'll learn how your observable traits, or phenotypes, are the result of interactions between your genes and environment.