The NIH Curriculum Supplement Series has been designed for educators (grades K through 12) to promote inquiry-based learning and to stimulate student's interest in health and science.

The NIH curriculum supplements: are based on the latest research on how people learn; are consistent with National Science Education Standards; promote critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving and communication skills; incorporate real scientific data to engage and challenge students; and are aligned to state education standards.

Each supplement is a self-contained teacher's guide and includes one to two weeks' worth of lessons in science and human health. The background information for these lesson plans is included in this book. Complete supplements are available on the NIH Curriculum Supplement Series website.