Research Project
6-12 Science Education
Education Research > Science Education
Welcome teachers. Below are links to educational opportunities in which students in your classes, independent learners, or groups/clubs can participate.
Investigate plant adaptations to the environment with your class, group, or as independent study. This inquiry module, geared for 7th graders and above, provides opportunities for students to learn about photosynthesis, transpiration, and natural selection, and demonstrates how these processes result in different plants having different size leaves. Students use weather sensor data and leaf image data from plants growing in different areas of the Santa Monica Mountains to provide a data-supported answer to the question, "Why do plans have different looking leaves?"
After you enter the Sensing the Environment web page, follow the "New User" link to register yourself and your class(es) to access this inquiry module. Once you register, you may download our Teacher's Guide that provides detailed information to guide you through a three-week, standards-based curriculum and provide templates for student handouts.
Help a Scientist perform their research by classifying data. Embedded sensor networks can collect thousands of data points each month. Sorting through thousands of images or sound files is a slow process and often prevents certain scientific questions from being asked. You can help CENS researchers classify their data using the interactive Data Classification Tool. Geared for 6th graders and above and the general public.
This Activity could be worked into your exisitng curriculum to demonstrate the process of science. You may like to recommend this Activity to certain groups of students or independent learners.
Show your students a quick video interview of Deborah Estrin, Director of CENS, describing the discipline of embedded networks. What is ENS?
Another resource, currently under development is CENSei. Check back for projects as they become available.
webmaster at cens.ucla.edu
