WCC Teaching Materials Collection

Mystery Boxes: Exploring the Process of Science
This page is authored by Nathan Rice, Whatcom Community College, based on an original activity by Kaatje Kraft, Whatcom Community College. ,
In this activity, students will work in groups to follow the steps of the scientific method to investigate the unknown contents and internal structure of sealed boxes. They will generate questions and hypotheses and then test those hypotheses using their senses and a few tools. Then they will share their conclusions with the class and reevaluate their conclusions after peer review.

Wax Paper Folding - Discovering the Conic Sections
Leslie Glen, Whatcom Community College
Students fold "patty paper" to create the conic sections, and in the process, discover their properties.

Investigating Right Triangle Trigonometry
Lee Singleton, Whatcom Community College
Students use a hands-on approach to investigate right triangle trigonometry definitions. Students also solve right triangles given an angle and a side.

Stoichiometry: An inquiry-based general chemistry activity
Paul Frazey, Whatcom Community College
This in an inquiry-based activity on stoichiometry for college-level general chemistry. It use the POGIL approach for collaborative group work.

Properties of Real Numbers in-class group activity
Mei Luu
Real Numbers properties worksheet

Combination Jigsaw and Gallery Walk activity
Tommaso Vannelli, Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom
A combination Jigsaw and Gallery Walk activity exploring the five periodic trends typically discussed in Genenral Chemistry texts (atomic and ionic radii, ionization energies, electron affinity, and electronegativity). this activity spans two class periods and employs an on-line (Canvas) discussion prior to class for sharing research results within expert groups.

Chemistry and Cell Review for Microbiology
Debbie Lancaster, Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom
Basic Chemistry and Cell Biology are two subjects that are reviewed in Introduction to Microbiology. These two activities are both designed to have the students actively participate in the review processes and to be able to relate the information to a new area of study, microbiology.

Ecology Modules
John Rousseau, Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom
The ecology section of a year-long introductory biology course was reworked from a lecture style format to a small-group activity format that involved both in-class and field activities.

Muddiest Points/Feedback on Lesson Material
Travis McEwen, Whatcom Community College
Homework assignment designed to clarify students muddiest points in relation to material covered throughout the week. The assignment also aims to ensure that students read the feedback that is provided to them.

Introductions to Statistics
Carrie Muir, Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom
This is an activity to help students learn about different statistical sampling techniques, and to consider practical implementation issues.