Welcome to the SciTrek Resource Hub for Secondary Educators
At SciTrek, we are committed to supporting teachers in bringing hands-on, inquiry-based science experiences to their students. This page serves as a central location where you can access essential materials for running our Secondary SciTrek modules in your classroom.
Key Features of SciTrek Secondary Modules:
- Multi-Day, Hands-On Investigations – Students conduct experiments, collect data, and analyze results over the course of each 5-day module to deeply explore NGSS-aligned scientific and engineering concepts.
- Real-World Applications – Activities are designed to connect scientific concepts to everyday life and STEM careers.
- Collaborative Learning – Students work in teams, practicing communication and problem-solving skills essential for scientific inquiry.
- Mentor Support – UCSB undergraduate mentors guide students through the process, encouraging curiosity and deeper exploration.
- Evidence-Based Reasoning – Modules emphasize data collection and analysis, reinforcing the scientific method.
- Structured Yet Flexible – Each module provides clear guidance while allowing for teachers to customize the program to the needs of their specific classrooms.
A Guide to the Materials We Offer:
- Module Workbooks: Student and teacher-friendly workbooks designed to guide program facilitators and learners through SciTrek investigations.
- Lesson Slides: Teachers will receive access to pre-designed, module-specific lesson slides to aid their delivery of core subject matter and module activities.
- Step-by-Step Instructions for Specific Module Activities: For many of our Module activities, we have generated clear, step-by-step instructions you can laminate and include with materials kits to help you and your students quickly and easily get started with the hands-on, interactive parts of our programs.
- Additional Resources: Spanish-language student workbooks and activity-specific videos are available upon request.
Whether you are new to SciTrek or a returning educator, these resources are designed to help you seamlessly integrate SciTrek modules into your curriculum. If you have any questions or need additional support, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Click below to access the materials and start exploring.
JUNIOR HIGH MATERIALS AND RESOURCES BY MODULE
Conservation of Mass
The Conservation of Mass module engages students in hands-on investigations to explore how mass is conserved during physical and chemical changes. Students work through interactive stations where they observe chemical reactions, compare physical and chemical changes, and measure mass before and after transformations to gather evidence demonstrating when mass is conserved during these transformations and how emissions from chemical reactions can be captured. Activities include burning and subjecting marshmallows to a vacuum, endothermic and exothermic reactions, and capturing gas emissions from reactions. Below, you’ll find all the materials needed to run this module, including student workbooks, lesson plans, and additional resources to support your classroom implementation.
Conservation of Mass - Teacher Workbook
Conservation of Mass - Student Workbook
Step-by-Step Activity Laminates for Conservation of Mass
Conservation of Mass - Optional Lesson Slides
Conservation of Mass - Research Poster Template
Best Bread (Cellular Respiration)
The Best Bread module engages students in hands-on investigations to explore the science of cellular respiration through the lens of experimental design and data analysis. Students work in teams to test how different variables—such as temperature and amount of sugar (glucose)—affect the metabolism of yeast and the resulting production of carbon dioxide. By designing and conducting controlled experiments, they analyze the role of systematic control of variables and observation of outcomes as the keys to this kind of research methodology. They'll also get an opportunity to connect yeast to things they encounter every day in their food and drink!
Best Bread - Optional Lesson Slides
Step-by-Step Activity Laminates for Best Bread
Best Bread Research Poster Template
Waves
The Waves module immerses students in hands-on investigations to explore the physics of mechanical waves and how they move through different media. Through engaging activities, students will experiment with tuning forks, slinkies, and wave drivers to observe wave properties in action. As they progress, they will apply their understanding by building their own simple speakers using magnets, wire, and cups.
In the final challenge, students will collaborate with their SciTrek mentor and teammates to design and construct the loudest speaker possible, testing and refining their designs through an iterative process. This module emphasizes the scientific method, teamwork, and the real-world applications of wave physics in technology.
Below, you’ll find all the materials needed to run this module, including student workbooks, activity laminates, and additional resources to support your classroom implementation.
Waves - Optional Lesson Slides
Waves Research Poster Template
HIGH SCHOOL MATERIALS AND RESOURCES BY MODULE
CRISPR/Cas9: Gene Editing
The CRISPR-Cas9: Gene Editing module introduces students to cutting-edge gene-editing technology inspired by a natural bacterial immune defense system. Students begin by mastering essential lab skills such as micropipetting and sterile technique before progressing to a hands-on CRISPR knockout experiment targeting the LacZ gene in E. coli. Over the course of five days, they explore the molecular mechanisms of CRISPR/Cas9, design and test knockout strategies by comparing outcomes across different experimental conditions, analyze bacterial growth and color patterns, and discuss the broader ethical implications of genetic engineering. The module culminates in a student-led scientific poster presentation where participants showcase their experimental findings and reflect on CRISPR's real-world applications and moral considerations.
Throughout the module, students build foundational laboratory skills, strengthen their understanding of DNA structure and function, and practice scientific reasoning, data interpretation, and collaborative communication--mirroring the work of molecular biologists in the field.
CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing Teacher and Lead Workbook
CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing Student Workbook
Glucose Sensing: Enzyme Function and Real-World Diagnostics
The Glucose Sensing module explores the critical role of glucose sensing technology in managing diabetes. Through guided experiments, they learn how glucose sensors work, and generate calibration curves to interpret unknown glucose concentrations. As they engage in hypothesis-driven inquiry, they manipulate enzyme conditions (e.g. temperature, substrate type) to understand the factors influencing enzymatic activity.
The module connects scientific principles in chemistry and biology to real-world medical diagnostics. Students work collaboratively to collect and analyze data, diagnose "mystery patient" samples, and investigate enzymatic specificity with substrates like sucrose and fructose. Their learning culminates in a group presentation, where they synthesize results and communicate their experimental journey.
Glucose Sensing Teacher and Lead Workbook
Glucose Sensing Student Workbook
Bioinformatics: Gene Expression & Cancer Diagnostics
In this module, students become data-driven scientists as they explore how bioinformatics tools are used to investigate gene expression and uncover patterns linked to cancer. Using real-world tools and databases, students examine how genes are turned "on" or "off" in healthy versus cancerous cells, formulate hypotheses, and interpret biological data through interactive simulations and group-based inquiry. Over the course of five days, they gain foundational knowledge in gene regulation, cancer biology and data visualization. The module culminates in a student-led scientific poster presentation where participants communicate their findings and propose how a specific gene may contribute to breast cancer. Through this experience, students develop skills in data analysis, critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and communication--mirroring the work of real bioinformatics researchers tackling some of today's most pressing biomedical challenges.
Bioinformatics Teacher and Lead Workbook
Bioinformatics Student Workbook