Grades 9-12
Article
Tips to Identify Poison Ivy
Did you know that the first time you come in contact with poison ivy, you probably won't get a rash? Every time after that, though, is a different story. Learn how to spot different varieties.
diagram
Leaf Margins
Entire or toothed? Being able to distinguish between these two types of leaf margins will help you identify a plant specimen. This illustrated guide shows you what both look like.
Article
Describing and Understanding Organisms
At a loss for words when it comes to explaining your biodiversity findings in the classroom, field, or lab? Increase your vocabulary—and observation skills—with this guide to gathering clues.
Article
Drawing as a Way of Looking at the Natural World
Don't just take a close look at that arthropod, pick up a pencil and draw it! You'll be surprised how much better you'll understand and appreciate what you're seeing.
Article
Reading the Rocks at Cold Spring Harbor, New York
See how a day of collecting rocks on the north shore of Long Island turned into an exploration of the Earth's history for this eighth-grader from New York.
Article
Rocks of Roane County, West Virginia
The meandering stream that carved West Virginia's natural land bridge also helped create diverse layers of rock at its foundation. Tour the area's geological past with this ninth-grader.
Article
Fiddler on the Marsh
Fiddler crabs never stray far from their burrow. That's why they will do anything to avoid getting caught and measured, as this ninth-grader from Virginia found out.
Article
Genetics: An Increasingly Important Field of Science
The work of Gregor Mendel—today known as the "Father of Genetics"—was disregarded by his fellow scientists. Learn how it was rediscovered decades later in this winning essay by a California teen.
Article
The Big Chill: Calming Signals Among Wolves
Wolves have long been the favorite animal of this eighth-grader from Illinois. Learn how she turned her interest into an insightful experiment about how wolves calm and comfort each other.
Article
Biodiversity in Arizona
It can seem that the desert ecosystem is devoid of much life. But this Arizona teen found biodiversity just by turning over a few ironwood tree trunks she found in the sand.
