Visit the Educators’ Guide to NatureShift for more information about the NatureShift program's

Exploration Model,

Strategies for teaching and learning, and

Educator Tools & Tutorials

You will find here:
Standards-based instruction linked to:

National Science Standards from NSTA

State Science Standards North Dakota c.2001

Inquiry-based Activities
 Robot Lab offers student-driven learning through exploration of seven lab rooms where inquiry meets instruction, Web quests, activities and experiments in the physical sciences, engineering, and robotics. Students are encouraged to apply higher-order thinking skills to analyze and derive personal meaning from what they learn.

Authentic, Original Resources
Web Adventures take learners to source material on-line for studying each subject area. A unique partnership with the University of North Dakota Electrical Engineering department has provided instructional resources in various robotics projects.

Technology-Integrated Curriculum
Robot Lab uses cameras, robots, rocketry, probes, and other technologies to engage students to inquire deeper.

Permission Form (PDF):
Are you submitting a project to NS? You will need to complete and send us this permission form if you are using images in your work.
Robot Lab Educator Guide


Robot Lab is an instructional module for 4th-8th grades offering authentic, original resources, hands-on/real world activities, and standards-based learning materials within the discipline areas of:

  • Physical Science
  • Engineering
  • Robotics
  • Technology

You will also find here resources and activities appropriate for grades 9th-12th. Resources are located in seven science laboratories, call the "Lab Rooms." Content is appropriate for 4th-12th grades with grade level indicated when specifically targeted. The learning Exploration, Island Adventure and its activities have been written for a 4th-8th grade level audience.

Robot Lab Blueprint - Content, Exploration Tour, and Applications (uses in the classroom) all covered here!
How to Use Robot Lab:
For Classroom Teaching
In Community Education
How to Navigate Robot Lab
How Robot Lab is structured:

Content and Design
 Robot Lab is divided into seven science lab rooms, each of which offers Web resources, instruction in content, activities and experiments in the subject area. Learners are free to inquire into the seven subjects by visiting the lab rooms or by engaging in the physical science challenge of the Island Adventure!

Resources Available
Resources in the form of Web quests and specific activities are provided for the general subject areas of gravity, motion, energy, waves, electricity & magnetism, matter, and engineering.

Activities, Experiences, & Projects
 Both virtual and real world based hands-on learning experiments and activities are available in each of the lab rooms and additional project activities are included in the Island Adventure learning quest.

The Learning Exploration
 Robot Lab provides an Island Adventure, modeled on the NatureShift Exploration, which challenges students to rescue a colleague lost on an island either by helping them escape the island or survive on it until rescue. Students must investigate solutions in the labs and use the knowledge gained to devise a rescue plan.
Other Materials Available

The Telerobotics & Technology lab room offers students a unique look into the world of robotics and new technologies. Working with the University of North Dakota Electrical Engineering department and computer science students, Robot Lab offers some unique experimental projects in on-line robotics programming and some example activities for using the Basic Stamp robot kits in the classroom.

The Natureshift Exploration Model for teaching and learning

Every module in NatureShift provides a guided Learning Experience that follows the NatureShift Exploration Model, with prepared activities, hands-on authentic activities, web links for rich extensions of student learning, and access to a large amount of resources. The Explorations included pre- and post-assessment surveys of basic student knowledge, in-line knowledge check assessments with student feedback, and a method for tracking student progress. Here you will find a description of the NS Model and how it is developed in the Robot Lab "Island Adventure" Exploration.
The Creators and Expertise behind Robot Lab
Digital Dozen Award

The NatureShift site has been chosen to be included in November 2003's Digital Dozen, a list of exemplary Web sites for educators selected by the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse (ENC). This list is published each month at ENC Online (you may view current and archived Digital Dozen selections at enc.org).

ENC is funded by the United States Department of Education and administered by The Ohio State University. ENC collects both physical and virtual resources useful to math and science educators. 

The sites selected for Digital Dozen must have current and accurate math and/or science content.  They must support school improvement efforts and have useful multimedia features or helpful navigation.