University of Colorado
Punnett Squares with Piebald Deer
Explore the science behind Earth's amazing diversity of life with this instructional activity on genetics. Looking at specific traits in piebald deer, carnations, and roan cattle, young scientists use Punnett squares to determine the...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
The Making of the Fittest: The Birth and Death of Genes
Adaptations must be made as environments change. This fabulous presentation features Icelandic icefish, a transparent, scaleless specimen that even has colorless blood. Genetics and adaptations concepts are explored as scientists study...
Curated OER
Ah Choo!
Middle schoolers compare bacteria to viruses to find the differences. For this biology lesson, students research viruses they have been inoculated against, using the Internet. Middle schoolers complete a graphic organizer of their...
Curated OER
Health Care
Students analyze information and draw conclusions about the reality of human life expectancy; the battle between health care technology and our own internal time clocks. Students answer questions such as "Why does aging occur and can...
Curated OER
Indian Ocean Explored
Students consider the information presented in the WNET videotape of India: Land of the Tiger/Unknown Seas (Episode 3). For this biology lesson, students view the video and engage in a discussion about the questions posed in the video.
NASA
Decomposers Get Energy From Dead Things
When life gives you mold, make penicillin. Scholars design an inquiry experiment to determine what causes rotting and mold growth. It also covers decomposers and the important role they play for other living things.
Curated OER
Our Schoolsyard is Full of Biology
Students study the habitats found in their schoolyard. They apply firsthand, what they have learned in the classroom to something familiar to them. Students look at biotic, abiotic habitats. Small groups will present their findings to...
Western Kentucky University
Understanding Genetics: Punnett Squares
Can scientists really predict genetic outcomes or are they simply making a lucky guess? Scholars first learn about Gregor Mendel and how to make Punnett squares. Then they extract DNA from a strawberry in a lab with included conclusion...
Curated OER
Halloween: Arachnids
High schoolers participate in class discussion about the movie Arachnophobia. In this biology lesson, students find articles and photos of a species that interest them. They share it with their group.
Curated OER
A River Runs Through It
Pupils solve an environmental problem on a local river. They use their knowledge of river ecology to develop an action plan. They use river-monitoring equipment to collect river- monitoring data, including biological, physical, and...
Curated OER
Making Blood!
Ninth graders study facts about human blood and what it is made of. In this blood composition lesson students divide into groups and complete several activities.
Curated OER
Introduction to Classification
Fourth graders design a classification system to categorize animate and inanimate objects. They discuss the advantages of grouping things as they classify buttons, leaves, shells.
Curated OER
Building a Dichotomous Key
Students analyze how a dichotomous key helps us explain and identify unknown organisms. They design and construct a dichotomous key, developing a list of three observable characteristics per organism.
Curated OER
Fish Morphology
Students identify the various parts of a fish. They describe the concept of fish morphology and relate shape, form and structure of a fish's parts to function.
Curated OER
Biome EcoWatch Project
Students work together to complete the Biome EcoWatch project. Using the Internet, they research the relationship between abiotic factors and living organisms within a biome. They create a multimedia presentation to share their...
Curated OER
Migration
Learners explore migration using the Internet and several pre-chosen websites. In this animal migration instructional activity students divide into groups and complete a lab activity.