Curated OER
Hand Washing: I can handle it!
Sixth graders examine microorganisms. In this germs lesson, 6th graders observe and record data on the positive and negative aspects of microorganisms. Students complete activities, view a film, and explore websites.
Curated OER
Life in a Drop of Pond Water
Students investigate living creatures that inhabit a pond and explore how various organisms satisfy their needs within their environments. In this life in a drop of pond water lesson, students examine microorganisms under magnification....
Curated OER
Oh, What a Tangled Web We Weave
Fifth graders investigate the food chain by viewing video clips. In this food web instructional activity, 5th graders investigate populations and ecosystems by viewing a video in class as well as visiting web sites. Students utilize the...
Curated OER
Regents High School Examination: Living Environment 2010
This exam touches upon every topic within the typical first year biology course.. A broad variety of question styles give high schoolers every opportunity to show what they know. Why start from scratch when a comprehensive final exam is...
Curated OER
Our Food and Microorganisms
Students answer questions about how microorganisms can affect our food supply and how they can be controlled. The first set of inquiry activities are directed by the teacher. Subsequent activities are based on students generating their...
Curated OER
Microbial Spoilers: The Impact of Microorganisms on the Shelf-life of Milk
Students are inroduced to a commonly used microbial culturing technique. They explore the role of microorganisms in determining the shelf-life of food products.
Curated OER
Microorganism Multiplication
Seventh graders complete two experiments to learn about harmful and helpful microorganisms. In this microorganisms lesson, 7th graders read background information about fungi, yeast, and club fungi. Students then complete two experiments...
Curated OER
How About a Classroom Epidemic?
Have individuals wash their hands with soap and water, give one of them a yeast-covered piece of candy, and then have him shake hands with the person next to him. Handshakes continue down the line until everyone in the class has had...
Curated OER
What's in the Pond?
Sixth graders are introduced to microorganisms within a specific ecosystem and have the opportunity to make observations, explore the environment, conduct experiments and draw conclusions through firsthand experience at a pond. They also...
Curated OER
Microbes 1: What's Bugging You?
Middle schoolers build on existing knowledge of microbes, focusing on the relationship between microorganisms and foodborne illness, as well as the implications that foodborne illness has on human health.
Curated OER
The Good, the Bad and the Both
Students use information from articles about microorganisms and their prior knowledge to identify both the positive and negative aspects of microorganisms.
Curated OER
Micro-organisms
Students learn what a micro-organism is. In this micro-organism lesson, students understand that micro-organisms may be too small to see. Students learn microorganisms could be bacteria, fungi, something beneficial or a harmful microbe....
Curated OER
Biological Succession in a Microecosystem
Learners investigate the concept of biological succession by simulating the process in a microenvironment with various microorganisms. By engaging in a lab, students determine the factors causing succession and learn population sampling...
Curated OER
Microbe Experimentation
Seventh graders study microorganisms in their environments by experimenting with milk products. In this microbes lesson, 7th graders read background information about microorganisms in yogurt and soured milk. Students then follow a...
Science Matters
Crawly Composters
Get your hands dirty with an interactive instructional activity that showcases the process of decomposing and returning nutrients back into the soil. After building a compost pile, pupils regularly observe the...
Curated OER
MICROBES 1: WHAT'S BUGGIN YOU?
Students use existing knowledge of microbes, focusing on the relationship between microorganisms and foodborne illness, as well as the implications that foodborne illness has on human health.
Captain Planet Foundation
Worm Your Way Out of This
How can you provide healthy soil for your garden? Study worms, bacteria, and other microorganisms in a lesson about decomposition and organic compost. After discussing what you know about worms and watching a video, watch what worms do...
Growing Classroom
Space Travelers
Groups of three scientists from the rocky planet Zog investigate the composition of soil so that they can take the information back to their home, create soil there, and begin to grow food.
NOAA
Deep-Sea Ecosystems – Entering the Twilight Zone
Imagine an ecosystem without any light or oxygen, where living things convert carbon dioxide into food. This ecosystem is thriving and might just be the largest ecosystem on our planet, yet we know very little about it. The lesson...
NOAA
Deep-Sea Ecosystems – Life is Weird!
A pool of brine in the deep sea can be up to four times as salty as the surrounding sea water. The deep sea ecosystem relies on chemosynthesis and the organisms that live there are often strange to us. The lesson focuses on researching...
Curated OER
Plankton Parade
Plankton isn't just a tiny cartoon character, it's also a very important food source for animals around the world. Budding scientists discuss the types and functions of plankton, including where they are found, how they are caught, and...
Curated OER
The Basics:Life Science
Middle schoolers explore concepts in life science using segments drawn from Discovery Channel. In this life science lesson, students participate in discussions about the food chain. Middle schoolers create a poster to illustrate a...
Curated OER
Winogradsky in a Bottle: Beginning a Winogradsky Column
Students use their measurement skills by marking a bottle for construction purposes. They record qualitative and quantitative data and analyze their results. Students demonstrate evaluation of a small scale systems as a model for the...
Bridge
Mercury - Mercury is Rising
Hold a discussion in your class about the increase in mercury being found in fish that are caught commercially as food for humans. Given a worksheet, learners then calculate how much fish a person can safely eat each month to remain...