Curated OER
Hairy Evidence! Hair Identification
Provide a mystery hair and a set of reference hair samples for middle school investigators to place on a slide and examine under a microscope. Materials and procedures are detailed on the first page, while a data table for drawing what...
Curated OER
Cell Structures and Their Functions
Life science learners investigate live cells. They examine wet mount slides of cyanobacteria and Elodea plants. They peer into the dynamic microscopic world of protists. Afterward, they construct a model of a cell, including rudimentary...
Curated OER
Microscope Basics
In this microscope worksheet, students label the parts of a microscope, they calculate the powers of magnification for each lens on the scope and they answer questions about making a wet mount slide.
Curated OER
Microscope Mania
Students examine parts of a microscope and how to use a microscope at five lab stations. They identify parts of a microscope by describing the differences between low power and high power. They visit Internet sites (included in the...
Curated OER
Micros-organisms
Sixth graders examine mold with a microscope. In this micro-organisms activity, 6th graders use teacher-prepared mold samples to prepare a wet-mount slide and examine the mold under a microscope then draw and label what they see.
Curated OER
Animal and Plant Cell Journaling Activity
Jump into the classification of animal and plants cells, through this inviting lesson comparing Elodea leaves and Epithelial cells. Middle school learners will create wet mounts, write journal entries that compare specimens, and finally...
Curated OER
Cell Size Changes
Learners examine the behavior of living cells treated with different types of stimuli. They watch an online movie, examine wet mount slides under a microscope, take an online quiz, and analyze data.
Curated OER
Onion Cells
Learners observe the cells of an onion by wet mounting it and viewing it in a microscope. In this hands on lesson students make their own wet mount slide of an onion and are able to identify the cells in it such as, the nucleus,...
Curated OER
Cytoplasmic Streaming
Students prepare successful wet mount slide of Elodea. They determine and identify environmental conditions that induce cytoplasmic streaming. They determine the positive aspects of cytoplasmic streaming. They illustrate knowledge and...
Curated OER
Pond Life Identification Kit
Learners explore ecology and biodiversty. They use the wet-mount procedure to make several slides to view using the microscope and draw what they see.
Curated OER
Light Microscopes
Seventh graders study the parts of a light microscope, and its proper use. They identify each part and explain why it is important to know how to use this tool. They practice observing newsprint on a wet mount slide.
Curated OER
Cell Observation Exercise
Learners take measurements of the distance between the objective and the slide when in focus with each objective. They determine the diameter of the field of view at each power in order to determine the size of the cells being observed.
Curated OER
Using Microscopes
Young scholars do an experiment using a microscope. In this lesson, about cells, students examine different slides using a microscope. Young scholars look at an onion skin, cheek cells, and potato cells. In each of these, students find...
Curated OER
Microscope Basics
Young scholars examine a microscope and learn its parts. In this microscope lesson students study the different parts of the microscope and see the differences in the adjustments then make their own wet slide.
Curated OER
Studying Living Organisms
Pupils discover and discuss the differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Using a microscope, they examine various prepared slides of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.
Virginia Department of Education
Freshwater Food Chains
What's in the water? Encourage your class to further explore this question and learn about pond ecosystems, food chains, and food webs as they complete this hands-on activity. They view the environment from a new perspective after...
Curated OER
Comparing Animal and Plant Cell Structure
Students work as a team to use the ProScope Digital USB Microscope and a computer to collect microscopic images from a variety of organisms. When they compare these specimens, they are able to determine how they are alike and different...
Curated OER
Pond Water Survey
Students identify and describe various organisms living in a pond water environment. They describe the characteristics of living things. Students compare and contrast organisms created by asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction....
Curated OER
Smears
In this biology worksheet, young scholars are shown how to prepare a smear and then answer some review questions that address the proper preparation of a sample.
Curated OER
The Hidden World
Students examine dust mites and other allergens. In this dust lesson students complete a lab activity on dust mites.
Curated OER
Cell Swelling and Shrinking
Students examine the concept of osmosis in relation to dehydration. They identify the function and structure of semi-permable membranes. They predict how certain processes can affect the characteristics of an organism.
Curated OER
Biodiversity of Ponds
High schoolers study the biodiversity in pond water. In this biodiversity lesson plan, students observe 3 samples of pond water using a pond water identification sheet. They record their findings and identify the organisms they find, the...
Curated OER
Mastering the Parts of a Cell
There are great lessons and tricks you can use for teaching your students about cellular organelles.
Curated OER
Composting in Schools: Observing Compost Microorganisms
Students explore composting. In this composting lesson, students use compound microscopes to observe the microbial communities in compost. Observations and documentation of changes will occur over the course of several weeks.