8th Grade General Science Laboratory

Test your density skills with this fun gummy bear lab!

Discover the secrets to prolonging the lifespan of cut flowers in this engaging biology lab. Students will design and execute their unique experiments to explore methods for maintaining the freshness and beauty of floral arrangements. Enhance your understanding of plant physiology while cultivating creativity in this hands-on learning experience.

Experimental Design

• Encourage students to think critically and design their unique experiments.
• Provide guidelines for selecting variables, controls, and measurement methods.

Data Collection and Analysis

• Explain the importance of accurate data collection and proper record-keeping.
• Suggest methods for quantifying floral freshness, such as visual assessment, petal discoloration, and stem length measurement.

Discussion and Conclusion

• Encourage students to analyze and interpret their data.
• Guide them in drawing conclusions based on their experimental findings.
• Foster critical thinking skills by prompting students to propose further research questions and improvements to their experimental designs.

This lab introduces students to chromatography and provides hands-on practice using the scientific method. With three thought-provoking questions, students will engage in discussions about mixtures and learn how to identify unknown substances. All the materials needed for the lab can easily be found in the home.

This lab is perfect for distance learning, homeschooling, or in-classroom use. It provides a fun and engaging way for students to learn about chromatography and the scientific method. The lab can also be easily expanded by using alternate materials for even more learning opportunities.

Help your students explore the exciting world of science with this easy-to-use chromatography lab!

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If this sparked your interest, check out the other labs available!

Bubbles Science Lab - Practicing the Scientific Method!

Modelling Isotopes Science Lab - Exploring Atomic Mass and the Periodic Table

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If you enjoyed this resource, I would LOVE a review and you will earn TeachShare credit for your feedback.

Students in this lab will utilize a variety of scientific method skills. They will collect data, create their own data collection tables, perform calculations, and use inferring skills.

Students will have four separate questions that develop their scientific thinking skills.

This lab has easily accessible materials and can be altered to a variety of "atomic mass" units, such as candy or trail mix. This is great to do at home, distance learning, or in the classroom.

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If this sparked your interest, check out the other labs available!

Bubbles Science Lab - Practicing the Scientific Method!

Separating Mixtures using Paper Chromatography Science Lab

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If you enjoyed this resource, I would LOVE a review and you will earn TeachShare credit for your feedback.

A helpful introduction to lab work at any level! Students will practice the scientific method by altering the dependent variable in a bubble mixture. They have three questions that discuss observations and help them form a general conclusion.

These materials are easily accessible and can be found within the home. A great lab for distance learning or in class learning!

___________________________________________________________________

If this sparked your interest, check out the other labs available!

Separating Mixtures using Paper Chromatography Science Lab

Modelling Isotopes Science Lab - Exploring Atomic Mass and the Periodic Table

___________________________________________________________________

If you enjoyed this resource, I would LOVE a review and you will earn TeachShare credit for your feedback.

One "mini" lab that will help students observe and make connections that particles in matter move faster at high temperatures than at low temperatures

These short activities reinforce or introduce concepts to students. I call these activities “mini labs” because they are simple activities that do not take the whole class period. They are also activities that are safe for use in the classroom and do not have to be done in a lab or with any specialty equipment or materials. I often use these demonstrations to lead into new content, that way as we cover material I can refer back to the things that my students have experienced first hand.

Distance learning or need a digital copy to assign?

• No problem! This activity now includes a Google Slides options! Ready to go, no prep needed from you!

Three Forms of Use Included

1. Printable PDF
2. Google Slides

Materials needed:

-Two cups

-Hot water

-Cold water

-Eyedropper

-Food Coloring

-Colored Pencils

One "mini" lab -or shortened activity- to reinforce or introduce concepts to students. I call these activities “mini labs” because they are simple activities that do not take the whole class period.

This particular lab focuses on the observation of two chemical changes and reinforces or introduces the signs that a chemical change has taken place.

Includes: teacher information, materials list, procedures, helpful tips for facilitating the activities and student handouts/lab sheets

Materials Needed:

Graduated cylinder

Water

2 clear plastic cups

2 eye droppers

Iodine solution

Cornstarch or Potato Starch

Spoon

Vitamin C tablet (Orange Juice Concentrate can be subbed)

MS-PS1-2: Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.

One "mini" lab that will help students observe and make connections that all objects have energy, even when they are not moving.

Materials Needed

Plastic Bowl

Sand

Assorted rocks and pebbles

Ruler

These short activities reinforce or introduce concepts to students. I call these activities “mini labs” because they are simple activities that do not take the whole class period. They are also activities that are safe for use in the classroom and do not have to be done in a lab or with any specialty equipment or materials. I often use these demonstrations to lead into new content, that way as we cover material I can refer back to the things that my students have experienced first hand.

Distance learning or need a digital copy to assign?

• No problem! This activity now includes a Google Slides options! Ready to go, no prep needed from you!

Three Forms of Use Included

1. Printable PDF
2. Google Slides

Can be used to support NGSS: MS-PS3

FOUR "mini" labs -or shortened activities- to reinforce or introduce concepts to students. I call these activities “mini labs” because they are simple activities that do not take the whole class period. They are also activities that are safe for use in the classroom and do not have to be done in a lab or with any specialty equipment or materials. I often use these demonstrations to lead into new content, that way as we cover material I can refer back to the things that my students have experienced first hand.

This particular lab focuses on introducing the following concepts:

Matter Takes Up Space

Two Substances Form a Mixture

Density and Volume

Change of State

(Indirectly the Properties of Matter)

Includes: teacher information, materials list, procedures, helpful tips for facilitating the activities and student handouts/lab sheets

Materials needed for these Mini Labs:

Balloons, Cups, Water, Sugar, Clay, Small Bowls, Paper Towels, Stopwatch, Chocolate Coated Candies

Are you looking for a hands-on, inquiry-based lab for your middle school students that demonstrates natural selection? This lab will do just that as it guides students to act as birds in a forest as they prey on skittles to see how the adaptation of camouflage helps a species survive. They will then collect data to see how the organisms with the fittest traits survive. The lab can be completed in one day and the graph and reflection questions will most likely take a second day to complete.

The simulation activity includes warm up questions, step by step instructions, a data table, line graph, and reflection questions. Students also use math skills to calculate population percentages and display them on a line graph.

Materials needed: skittles & green paper or green napkins (optional: polka dot napkins)

An answer key is included.

Your students will:

• Engage in visual and hands-on learning
• Apply knowledge
• Practice concepts 
• Collect data
• Analyze data
• Draw conclusions
• Use math skills
• Explore real world application of science knowledge

3 "mini" labs -or shortened activities- to reinforce or introduce concepts to students. These are simple activities that do not take the whole class period. Each activity is meant to help support the following concepts.

• Organism specialization
• Stored energy in plants/producers
• Specialized reproduction of fungi

Packet comes with the following:

Organism races: Teacher Guide & Student Handout (MS-LS1-2)

Plant Stored Energy: Teacher Guide & Student Handout (MS-LS1-7)

Fungi and Spores: Teacher Guide & Student Handout (MS-LS1-4)

Materials needed per group set up:

Organism Races: 20 paper clips, 2 pieces of paper, 1 pencil

Plant Stored Energy: Potato pieces, celery pieces, pear pieces, 3 clear plastic cups, iodine solution, eye dropper

Fungi and Spores: Fresh mushrooms (store bought) sharp knife, clear plastic cup, white paper, hand lens

MS-LS1-7: Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of cells contribute to the function.

MS-LS1-7: Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy as this matter moves through an organism.

MS-LS1-4 : Use argument based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support an explanation for how characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures affect the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants respectively.

This Bundle includes the Following resources!

1. Bubbles Science Lab - Practicing the Scientific Method!

A helpful introduction to lab work at any level! Students will practice the scientific method by altering the dependent variable in a bubble mixture.

2. Separating Mixtures using Paper Chromatography Science Lab

An easy access lab to introduce students to chromatography and get practice using the scientific method.

3. Modelling Isotopes Science Lab - Exploring Atomic Mass and the Periodic Table

Students in this lab will utilize a variety of scientific method skills. They will collect data, create their own data collection tables, perform calculations, and use inferring skills.

___________________________________________________________________

If you enjoyed this bundle, I would LOVE a review and you will earn TeachShare credit for your feedback.

Bring the holiday spirit into your science classroom with this engaging and educational “Christmas Candy Science” lesson pack! Perfect for middle school students, these hands-on experiments use festive candies to explore key scientific concepts aligned with NGSS and Tennessee state standards.

Students will love the festive twist on classic science experiments. This is the perfect activity to do the weird days right before Winter break when students are often absent! Each experiment is designed to reinforce important scientific principles and includes clear instructions to make it easy to implement these activities in your classroom.

Included Experiments:

• Candy Cane Dissolution Experiment
• Skittles Color Diffusion
• Chocolate Melting Point
• Gummy Bear Osmosis
• Baking Soda and Vinegar Balloon Inflation

Includes:

• Teacher tips and directions for each lab
• Materials list
• Student lab worksheets and data recording sheets
• Beautiful Winter themed slides to keep yourself and student on task

NGSS Middle School:

• MS-PS1-2: Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred
• MS-PS1-4: Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed
• MS-LS1-2: Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of cells contribute to the function

Tennessee State Science Standards:

• MS.PS1.4: Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed
• MS.LS1.2: Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of cells contribute to the function

Are you searching for an awesome and YUMMY way to teach your students about the Earth's Layers? Spark their curiosity and engage their minds (and stomachs!) with this STEM Cookie Earth Layers Model Activity. This product includes all the directions you need for your students to make in-class, memorable and delicious Earth Layers models.

What's Included in this fun project based learning assignment?

★ Clear and easy to follow editable student directions- digital and printable.

★ Exemplar student examples.

★ Quick Prep Info and Instructor Directions.

How To Use This Resource?

★ This hands-on EDIBLE lab can be used with multiple age groups and requires 1-2 class periods to complete.

★ This lab that requires easy-to-access edible materials (Chocolate sandwich cookies, candies).

★ Use this as a scaffolded science inquiry investigation or as an introduction to Earth Science or Earth layers.

Topics Covered:

★ Composition of phase of Earth Layers

★ Earth Science Basics

Nitty Gritty:

*Do your students need an entertaining way to learn about the Earth and its layers? With this editable and printable project (pdf and Google), students learn and reinforce important NGSS Earth Science concepts.

The Kicker:

Earth science will be a hit with your kids! This activity forces students to think critically about the layers of our planet. The hands-on nature of the activity highlights the location, composition and names of the layers of the Earth in a creative, YUMMY and interesting way.

What other teachers have said about Super Star Science products:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Stephanie C.H. Loved it!! What an engaging engineering challenge to use in online school and with younger grades! This activity is so well explained and set up. The visuals are very clear and the instructions make it easy to use this challenge without much work ahead of time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Elizabeth D. I loved that was a simple, safe lab that forced students to really pay attention to the procedure. My students were excited by it and were engaged. I would highly recommend this lab!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Ann H. This resource is flexible and covers all the pertinent goals in the rubric. It is easily modified and can be tailored to specific projects and assignments.

★_________________________________★

Check out a few of my other science and engineering resources.

*Marshmallow Catapults

*Science Careers & Fields Research Project- "Science 'Ology"

*The Rainbow Lab- Detailed Lab Procedures Practice

*Fun Video Claim, Evidence & Reasoning Analysis Activity Middle School

Purchase a Bundle and SAVE!

*EZ Engineering Bundle

Please visit my at my TeachShare Store: Super Star Science: https://www.TeachShare.com/Store/Super-Star-Science

❣️If you and your kids enjoyed this activity, please leave me a review to get TeachShare credits to buy more great products!❣️

Be sure to FOLLOW me on:

✓ TeachShare to receive notifications of sales, new products and more!

✓Facebook for new products, fun photos and science teaching ideas!

Terms of Use: ©Super Star Science. 

All rights reserved by Kim Karper. This single user product is to be used by the original purchaser only. Please do not share this product with other teachers. If you would like to have multiple users for this document, please note that TeachShare offers multiple license options.

Are you searching for a great hands-on lab that teaches kids how to carefully follow experimental procedures and minimize human error? This student centered, safe and engaging activity shows visually (and colorfully!) if students have accurate results.

Reinforce important NGSS, MYP and other International Science and Engineering Standards- with this hands on, skill building, problem solving, cooperative learning, science procedures experiment. *Materials Needed: test tubes, test tube racks, colored water, graduated cylinders.

The Rainbow Lab improves student engagement and gets your middle school students involved in scientific skills and practices.

What's Included?

★ Clear and easy to follow editable lab worksheet.

★ Focused Practice on the NGSS Science Skills.

★ Quick Prep Info and Instructor Directions.

What Topics and Covered with this Project?

★ Following detailed lab procedures.

★ Gathering experimental data.

★ Minimize human error.

How To Use This Resource?

★ This hands-on cooperative learning experiment can be used with multiple age groups and requires 3-5 class periods to complete.

★ Materials Needed: small beakers, test tubes, test tube racks, graduated cylinders, food coloring.

★ Use this as a scaffolded science inquiry investigation or as an introduction to science process skills and CER.

Nitty Gritty:

With this editable and printable product, students engage in the hands-on process of science and learn how to create & follow directions and minimize human error. Writing and following written step-by-step procedures is the the basis for any good science experiment. This activity is great for preparing for the SCIENCE FAIR! The Rainbow Lab allows for practice of important science process skills and higher order thinking.

What other teachers have said about Super Star Science products:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Amanda Dean- My students LOVED this activity. It was a great first lab of the school year.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Elizabeth D. I loved that was a simple, safe lab that forced students to really pay attention to the procedure. My students were excited by it and were engaged. I would highly recommend this lab!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Renee U.-My students loved this lab activity and were very engaged. Thank you!

★______________________________★

Check out a few of my other science and engineering resources.

*Marshmallow Catapults

*Science Careers & Fields Research Project- "Science 'Ology"

*Fun Video Claim, Evidence & Reasoning Analysis Activity Middle School

Purchase a Bundle and SAVE!

*EZ Engineering Bundle

Please visit my at my TeachShare Store: Super Star Science: https://www.TeachShare.com/Store/Super-Star-Science

❣️If you and your kids enjoyed this activity, please leave me a review to get TeachShare credits to buy more great products!❣️

Be sure to FOLLOW me on:

✓ TeachShare to receive notifications of sales, new products and more!

✓Facebook for new products, fun photos and science teaching ideas!

Terms of Use: ©Super Star Science. 

All rights reserved by Kim Karper. This single user product is to be used by the original purchaser only. Please do not share this product with other teachers. If you would like to have multiple users for this document, please note that TeachShare offers multiple license options.

Are you looking for a fun & easy hands-on lab to introduce or reinforce scientific process and proper lab safety skills? This experiment includes all you need to hook your students on science- simply add gummy candies!

Food Labs are the BEST! This experiment reinforces important NGSS SEPs. Your students will build lab skills, problem solve, cooperate in groups and enjoy the hard work.

The Gummy Candy Osmosis Lab is great for a Sub Plan as well!

What's Included?

★ Clear and easy to follow editable lab worksheet.

★ Focused Practice on Science Process Skills.

★ Quick Prep Info and Instructor Directions

How To Use This Resource?

★ This hands-on lab can be used with multiple age groups and requires 1-2 class periods to complete.

★ This lab that requires easy-to-access materials (gummy candies, various liquids).

★ Use this as a scaffolded science inquiry investigation or as an introduction to chemistry and osmosis.

Topics Covered in this FULL Inquiry Lab?

★ Chemistry and Osmosis

★ Following detailed experimental procedures

★ Conducting Safe Experiments

★ Gathering Relevant Data & Analyzing Results

Nitty Gritty:

With this editable and printable product, students engage in the hands-on process of science and learn how to gather and transform scientific data. This activity is great for preparing for the SCIENCE FAIR! The Gummy Candy Lab allows for practice of important science process skills and higher order thinking.

This assignment is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards for Science Process Skills.

What other teachers have said about Super Star Science products:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Stephanie C.H. Loved it!! What an engaging engineering challenge to use in online school and with younger grades! This activity is so well explained and set up. The visuals are very clear and the instructions make it easy to use this challenge without much work ahead of time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Elizabeth D. I loved that was a simple, safe lab that forced students to really pay attention to the procedure. My students were excited by it and were engaged. I would highly recommend this lab!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Ann H. This resource is flexible and covers all the pertinent goals in the rubric. It is easily modified and can be tailored to specific projects and assignments.

★______________________________★

Check out a few of my other science and engineering resources.

*Marshmallow Catapults

*Science Careers & Fields Research Project- "Science 'Ology"

*The Rainbow Lab- Detailed Lab Procedures Practice

*Fun Video Claim, Evidence & Reasoning Analysis Activity Middle School

Purchase a Bundle and SAVE!

*EZ Engineering Bundle

Please visit my at my TeachShare Store: Super Star Science: https://www.TeachShare.com/Store/Super-Star-Science

❣️If you and your kids enjoyed this activity, please leave me a review to get TeachShare credits to buy more great products!❣️

Be sure to FOLLOW me on:

✓ TeachShare to receive notifications of sales, new products and more!

✓Facebook for new products, fun photos and science teaching ideas!

Terms of Use: ©Super Star Science. 

All rights reserved by Kim Karper. This single user product is to be used by the original purchaser only. Please do not share this product with other teachers. If you would like to have multiple users for this document, please note that TeachShare offers multiple license options.

Halloween is the perfect time for this engaging hands-on lab (but, Zombies are cool anytime!). Reinforce the scientific process and proper lab safety skills with this simple and fun experiment. The Gummy ZOMBIE Bear Osmosis Lab includes all you need to hook your students on science- simply add gummy candies!

Food Labs are the BEST! This experiment reinforces important NGSS SEPs. Your students will build lab skills, problem solve, cooperate in groups and enjoy the hard work.

The Gummy ZOMBIE Bear Osmosis Lab is great for a Sub Plan as well!

What's Included?

★ Clear and easy to follow editable lab worksheet.

★ Focused Practice on the NGSS Science Process Skills.

★ Quick Prep Info and Instructor Directions

How To Use This Resource?

★ This hands-on lab can be used with multiple age groups and requires 1-2 class periods to complete.

★ This lab that requires easy-to-access materials (gummy candies, various liquids).

★ Use this as a scaffolded science inquiry investigation or as an introduction to chemistry and osmosis.

Topics Addressed:

★ Lab Proceeders and Safety

★ Collecting Relevant Data

★ Diffusion and Osmosis

Nitty Gritty:

With this editable and printable product, students engage in the hands-on process of science and learn how to create & follow directions and minimize human error. Students then work to transform data into a bar graph. This activity is great for preparing for the SCIENCE FAIR! The Rainbow Lab allows for practice of important science process skills and higher order thinking.

This assignment is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards for Science Process Skills.

What other teachers have said about Super Star Science products:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Stephanie C.H. Loved it!! What an engaging engineering challenge to use in online school and with younger grades! This activity is so well explained and set up. The visuals are very clear and the instructions make it easy to use this challenge without much work ahead of time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Elizabeth D. I loved that was a simple, safe lab that forced students to really pay attention to the procedure. My students were excited by it and were engaged. I would highly recommend this lab!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Ann H. This is one of the most original and creative project-based lessons I have seen. Students are highly engaged in the subject matter and produce some truly amazing presentations.

★_______________________________★

Check out a few of my other science and engineering resources.

*Marshmallow Catapults

*Science Careers & Fields Research Project- "Science 'Ology"

*The Rainbow Lab- Detailed Lab Procedures Practice

*Fun Video Claim, Evidence & Reasoning Analysis Activity Middle School

Purchase a Bundle and SAVE!

*EZ Engineering Bundle

Please visit my at my TeachShare Store: Super Star Science: https://www.TeachShare.com/Store/Super-Star-Science

❣️If you and your kids enjoyed this activity, please leave me a review to get TeachShare credits to buy more great products!❣️

Be sure to FOLLOW me on:

✓ TeachShare to receive notifications of sales, new products and more!

✓Facebook for new products, fun photos and science teaching ideas!

Terms of Use: ©Super Star Science. 

All rights reserved by Kim Karper. This single user product is to be used by the original purchaser only. Please do not share this product with other teachers. If you would like to have multiple users for this document, please note that TeachShare offers multiple license options.

2 "mini" labs that will help students observe and make connections to compounds and mixtures. The first introduces students to the concept of mixtures. The second shows the concept that not all liquids act alike so conclusions can be drawn about how materials interact when put together.

These short activities reinforce or introduce concepts to students. I call these activities “mini labs” because they are simple activities that do not take the whole class period. They are also activities that are safe for use in the classroom and do not have to be done in a lab or with any specialty equipment or materials. I often use these demonstrations to lead into new content, that way as we cover material I can refer back to the things that my students have experienced first hand.

Distance learning or need a digital copy to assign?

• No problem! This activity now includes a Google Slides option! Ready to go, no prep needed from you!

Three Forms of Use Included

1. Printable PDF
2. Google Slides

Materials Needed

Mixed Substances Mini Lab

Materials Needed:

Cup

Cornstarch

Water

Stir stick or Spoon

Oil and Water Mini Lab

Materials Needed:

Food Coloring

Water

Jar with a lid (baby food jars are great for this)

Vegetable Oil

Stir stick or spoon

Dish Soap

These mini-labs are great to introducing students to NGSS and SEPs! Perfect for that first or second week of school!

This assignment is a great intro and refresher into middle school science. It includes a wide range of activities that everyone will enjoy. Perfect for introducing students to NGSS based science.

Includes:

• Instructions and tips for each activity
• 8 interactive, engaging activities that require no student devices
• Link to student worksheet

I used it for grades 6-8. It was perfect for our 6th graders because some of them had never had a designated science course before. It was perfect for our 8th graders, because it really made them think what science really is all about. Each SEP takes about 20-30 minutes! It encourage students to work together and is great for setting those group work expectations early in the year.

Activity summaries:

1. Group/class discussions on what science actually is
2. A simple experiment students can do with very little set up
3. Developing your own model
4. Creating a CER using a funny commercial
5. Graphing data that the students collected
6. Solving riddles using math
7. Engaging in an argument where there may or may not be a correct stance
8. Nice chill activity at the end to show what the students learned

These mini-labs are great to introducing students to NGSS and SEPs! Perfect for that first or second week of school!

This assignment is a great intro and refresher into middle school science. It includes a wide range of activities that everyone will enjoy. Perfect for introducing students to NGSS based science.

Includes:

• Instructions and tips for each activity
• Instructions and example of what to put on each Nearpod Activity Slide
• 8 interactive, engaging activities that require
• Link to student worksheet

I used it for grades 6-8. It was perfect for our 6th graders because some of them had never had a designated science course before. It was perfect for our 8th graders, because it really made them think what science really is all about. Each SEP takes about 20-30 minutes! It encourage students to work together and is great for setting those group work expectations early in the year.

Activity summaries:

1. Group/class discussions on what science actually is
2. A simple experiment students can do with very little set up
3. Developing your own model
4. Creating a CER using a funny commercial
5. Graphing data that the students collected
6. Solving riddles using math
7. Engaging in an argument where there may or may not be a correct stance
8. Nice chill activity at the end to show what the students learned