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Energy Transfer: Conduction, Convection, and Radiation
Students investigate the three mechanisms of thermal energy transfer: conduction (particle-to-particle contact), convection (movement of heated fluid), and radiation (electromagnetic waves). Students compare the direction and behavior of each type and connect them to real-world phenomena.
Grade 6 Mathematics Diagnostic
A 31-item diagnostic for the summer program screening all five Grade 6 NCSCOS math domains. Item counts mirror the NC End-of-Grade weight distribution (Ratios & Proportional Relationships ~26%, Expressions & Equations ~24%, The Number System ~22%, Geometry ~14%, Statistics & Probability ~14%) to predict EOG performance and identify gaps. Multiple-choice and matching only; distractors target common errors.
The Science of Personal Hygiene
An in-depth, science-grounded lesson for middle school students on the biology and chemistry behind hygiene. Covers the skin microbiome, sweat gland physiology, the chemistry of soap, dental biofilm formation, hand hygiene epidemiology, foot care, indoor air quality, and laundry science. Includes real research data, plenty of humor, and a non-judgmental introduction to classroom care closet resources.
The Science of Personal Hygiene
A focused, science-grounded lesson for middle school students on what hygiene actually does at the cellular and microbial level. Covers the skin microbiome, sweat gland biology, oral bacteria, hand hygiene, and foot care, with real numbers and a healthy dose of humor. Includes a non-judgmental introduction to classroom care closet resources.
Energy Unit Review and Assessment
Students solidify their understanding of the law of conservation of energy, review all major concepts from the week (forms of energy, kinetic vs. potential, energy transfer methods, conductors/insulators, circuits), and complete a comprehensive unit assessment.
Eukaryotic Cell Biology — Study Guide
A focused review companion to the main Eukaryotic Cell Biology lesson. Use this study guide to refresh on the essentials: every major organelle in one place, the three stages of cellular respiration, the two stages of photosynthesis, and how the two energy processes work as partners. Includes self-quiz items and links back to the main lesson for deep dives.
Energy: Introduction and Overview
Students are introduced to the concept of energy as the ability to do work or cause change. They explore the major forms of energy, distinguish between kinetic and potential energy, and examine how energy is present in everyday situations. This lesson sets the foundation for the entire unit.
The Amazing Future: Technology That Will Change Your World
An inspirational single-day lesson introducing 6th grade students to five transformative technologies: space exploration, fusion energy, brain-computer interfaces, 3D bioprinting, and synthetic biology. Designed to spark wonder and energize students for continued science learning.
Grade 5 Mathematics Diagnostic
A 30-item diagnostic for the summer program that screens all five Grade 5 NCSCOS math domains. Item counts mirror the NC End-of-Grade weight distribution (Fractions heaviest at ~40%, Base Ten ~27%, Measurement/Geometry ~21%, Operations & Algebraic Thinking ~11%) so results predict EOG performance and pinpoint reteaching needs. Multiple-choice and matching only; distractors target common misconceptions.
Grade 8 Mathematics Diagnostic
A 32-item diagnostic for the summer program screening all four Grade 8 NCSCOS math reporting areas. Item counts mirror the NC End-of-Grade weight distribution (Functions ~31%, Geometry ~25%, combined Number System & Expressions/Equations ~25%, Statistics & Probability ~19%) to predict EOG performance and identify gaps. Multiple-choice and matching only; distractors target common errors.
Energy Unit Assessment
Summative multiple choice assessment for the Grades 6 & 7 Energy unit. Covers the definition of energy and the joule, kinetic and potential energy, the law of conservation of energy, common forms of energy (thermal, light, sound, electrical, chemical, mechanical), energy transformations, the three methods of heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation), the effect of thermal energy on particles, conductors and insulators, and the parts and behavior of simple electrical circuits. Aligned to NC DPI Essential Standards 6.P.1.2, 6.P.2.2, 6.P.3.1, 6.P.3.2, 6.P.3.3, 7.P.2.1, 7.P.2.2, and 7.P.2.3.
Practice: Display and interpret bivariate categorical data using two-way tables and relative frequencies. (NC.8.SP.4)
Targeted practice for NC.8.SP.4: Display and interpret bivariate categorical data using two-way tables and relative frequencies. Each problem gives immediate feedback with the full worked solution. Ungraded practice toward proficiency.
Grade 7 Mathematics Diagnostic
A 32-item diagnostic for the summer program screening all five Grade 7 NCSCOS math domains. Item counts mirror the NC End-of-Grade weight distribution (Ratios & Proportional Relationships ~25%, Statistics & Probability ~25%, Expressions & Equations ~22%, Geometry ~19%, The Number System ~9%) to predict EOG performance and identify gaps. Multiple-choice and matching only; distractors target common errors.
Practice: Represent and interpret data, including line plots. (NC.5.MD.2)
Targeted practice for NC.5.MD.2: Represent and interpret data, including line plots. Each problem gives immediate feedback with the full worked solution. Ungraded practice toward proficiency.
The Future is Calling
An uplifting wellness and empowerment lesson for middle grade students. Students learn that the small daily choices they make around sleep, food, movement, mind, learning, screens, relationships, and service add up to an enormous impact on their own lives and on the world around them. The lesson introduces three pillars (Take Care of You, Build Your Brain, Lift Others Up), builds awareness of how modern environments can work against healthy defaults, and coaches students through selecting two personal Power Moves to practice over a 30-day experiment. Designed to be delivered in one 45-60 minute block or two shorter sessions.
Practice: Informally fit a straight line (line of best fit) to a scatter plot suggesting a linear association. (NC.8.SP.2)
Targeted practice for NC.8.SP.2: Informally fit a straight line (line of best fit) to a scatter plot suggesting a linear association. Each problem gives immediate feedback with the full worked solution. Ungraded practice toward proficiency.
Practice: Use sample data to draw inferences about a population, including estimating population characteristics. (NC.7.SP.2)
Targeted practice for NC.7.SP.2: Use sample data to draw inferences about a population, including estimating population characteristics. Each problem gives immediate feedback with the full worked solution. Ungraded practice toward proficiency.
Practice: Develop and use probability models to find probabilities of simple events. (NC.7.SP.7)
Targeted practice for NC.7.SP.7: Develop and use probability models to find probabilities of simple events. Each problem gives immediate feedback with the full worked solution. Ungraded practice toward proficiency.