A great deal of information is available on how children learn—brain research, multiple intelligence aspects, concrete versus abstract thinking, environmental stimuli, and so on—but one key feature can be gleaned from all of the studies, and that is the importance of hands-on learning. No matter what method students use to garner information, the learning process can be augmented with the inclusion of labs, activities, or simulations that mimic real-life experiences. This is especially true in the middle school science classroom.