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Organizing data before students start the analysis process is a critical and often overlooked step. Students use the Vital Signs Sort & Export table to find the data they need (their own, that of their classmates, and data from their comparison site). They use Venn Diagrams and T-charts to organize data before trying to make …

Before students publish their data to the Vital Signs website and make it available to the public, their data must undergo a Quality Assurance Check and an optional Peer Review. The Quality Check is a first step in the online review process to ensure that the data entry form is complete, and jives with the …

Scientists operate in an inquiry environment. They observe, ask questions, make predictions, record observations, analyze data, make and defend claims, and share their conclusions with the larger community. Similarly, students will carry out their investigations as though they are professional scientists. An online Science Notebook (available to registered participants on the Vital Signs website) helps …

Spot the difference is a high energy, competitive activity that helps students develop and hone their observation skills. Students will begin to notice the often subtle differences between species. Students play Spot the Difference to train their eyes to closely observe plants and animals, and to find characteristics that make them the same species or …

Students hone critical measurement skills, and learn to quickly estimate size using their own body parts. These measurement and estimation skills will come in handy when students try to determine whether or not they find the native or invasive species they will look for at their study site during the Investigation Component of the Biodiversity …

Students use Prove It! to practice using words and photos to craft solid evidence statements. Students make statements about things that they believe to be true, and things that they believe to be not true. They practice supporting these claims with written and photo evidence. The activity moves students from simple everyday statements to more …

In this active and competitive game, students experience how a community of native animals and plants changes over time in response to resource availability in their habitat. Students collect data during the game and then graph and analyze how predators, limited resources, habitat health, and invasive species can disrupt the natural ebbs and flows of …

Students experience how an invasive species may out-compete native species for vital resources. This high stakes, high energy game simulates the introduction of non-native and invasive species using MnMs and various kitchen drawer items. Students experience firsthand what happens and what if feels like when native and invasive species compete for essential resources. This is …

Students use Persuade and Motivate to guide the creation of their action projects. Persuasive writing may be something that students are unfamiliar with or unpracticed at, but they all have personal experiences to draw from where they tried to get someone to do something they wanted them to do. This writing guide will help them …