ScienceQuests organize the curriculum around an authentic problem or project for students to solve. They focus on developing students' content knowledge, collaborative skills, and dispositions (i.e., attitudes toward science). Each ScienceQuest is built around "big ideas," such as: (1) All living things have basic needs that must be satisfied in order for them to survive and thrive (Animal or Plant Quest); (2) As human beings we have a responsibility for caring for our planet. (Ecosystems Quest); (3) Scientists systematically ask questions and investigate answers in order to solve problems (All ScienceQuests); (4) Scientists work in teams to share their knowledge and to answer questions more efficiently and effectively (All ScienceQuests). By pointing out the general principles behind particular skills or knowledge and placing the learning within the framework of big ideas, teachers can help students build on their current understandings and then transfer their new knowledge to other contexts (Perkins and Salomon 1988).