Nuffield Foundation
Observing Osmosis, Plasmolysis, and Turgor in Plant Cells
Create the perfect conditions for osmosis. Young scholars use a microscope to observe plant cells exposed to distilled water or sodium chloride. They observe how osmosis creates turgid or plasmolyzed cells.
Polar Trec
Drawing Diatoms like Ernst Haeckel
Why do scientists rely on drawings rather than just photographs of their research studies? The activity introduces drawings of microscopic organisms and the importance of accuracy. Young artists draw organisms and learn why focus and...
University of Minnesota
Beautiful Brain: Step Inside the Brain
Before digital microscopes, scientists hired artists to draw the things visible in the microscope. Through training in neuroscience and art, Cajal revolutionized the way we view the beautiful brain. The third lesson plan in a series of...
Cornell University
Classification
Explore the scientific method of classification. An interactive activity asks learners to create a classification system for a group of objects and develop a flow chart to communicate their systems. In addition, individuals use a...
Odell Education
Plant and Animal Cells
Incorporate multiple facets of the cell into your next high school lab! Through an introduction to cell organelles, class members observe each cell type and draw visuals to further demonstrate understanding of cellular processes in both...
LABScI
Cell Diffusion and Permeability: The See-Thru Egg Lab
Create a model to study a microscopic phenomenon. The seventh of 12 lessons uses an egg (without its shell) to represent a cell membrane. Using different solutions, learners explore the concept of cell diffusion. They monitor...
Re Energy
Build Your Own Biogas Generator
What is biogas and how is it made? After examining background information about the sources of biogas and biogas generators, class members follow the provided information and build a biogas generator that can be used in the classroom.
Gallantsbiocorner.com
Cell Organelles
Young scientists take a trip into the microscopic world of cellular biology with this practice exercise. Given pictures of different organelles, students must correctly identify specific parts of each cellular structure to demonstrate...
Teach Engineering
Making Model Microfluidic Devices Using JELL-O
Nothing flows like J-E-L-L-O! In the final portion of a four-part series, pupils create scale models of microfluidic devices out of gelatin and bendable straws. They use their devices to test various flow rates in the delivery of...
NOAA
Toxic! Or Is It?
Super scientists tests the toxicity of water using radish seed bioassays. Over the course of five days, scholars observe the germination process of several radish seeds, looking closely at their roots to determine the level of toxins...
Cornell University
Resolution—Not Just for the New Year
Experiment with optical resolution using an inquiry-based lesson. Young researchers calculate fellow classmates' optical resolutions. They apply the information to understand the inner workings of optical instruments.
Curated OER
Time Lapse Seed Germination with the QX3 Intel Digital Microscope
Learners use the time-lapse feature of the QX3 Intel Digital Microscope
to observe germination of seeds. They use the QX3 Intel Digital microscope to create time lapse video films of seed germination experiments.
Curated OER
The Microscope
Young scholars investigate the parts and functions of a compound microscope. They explore various websites, label the parts of a microscope on a worksheet, view prepared slides, and create drawings of the prepared slides.
Curated OER
Use of Microscopes and Creation of Slides
Students explore the use of microscopes and the creation of slides. They practice using, adjusting and viewing with a microscope. they view slides of familiar substances such as blood and fibers. In addition, they create slides using...
Curated OER
Underneath the Microscope
Eighth graders enhance their skills in operating a microscope. They become comfortable with the vocabulary associated with microscopes and investigate how to place slides and focus them properly using the microscope. Students are given...
NOAA
Mud is Mud...or is it?
We know that the type of soil varies by location, but does the seafloor sediment also vary, or is it all the same? Scholars compare photos of the seafloor from two different locations: the Savannah Scarp and the Charleston Bump. Through...
Curated OER
Looking at French Decorative Arts: The Science of Good Design
Young scholars examine the style of an 18th-century compound microscope and its case. In this scientific design lesson plan, students look at Jacques Caffieri's, "Compound Microscope and Case" before comparing the design to a modern...
Curated OER
Microscope Mania Unit Review
In this microscope worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle given twenty three hints about the parts of a microscope, the magnification of a microscope and the types of microscopes.
Curated OER
Electron Microscope
In this microscope worksheet, students use an on line site to answer questions about how a Scanning Electron Microscope works. They also conduct a virtual microscope activity where they view ten specimens and identify what each is.
Curated OER
The Science and Technology of Food
Students examine the guidelines the United States Department of Agriculture places on food. In groups, they create a list of the foods they consume and discuss the political and environmental implications of purchasing the food. They...
Curated OER
Microscope Basics
In this microscope activity, 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
The Language of Science
In this language of science worksheet, students use the list provided to guess the meaning of each of the list. Students apply root words, prefixes, and suffixes to gain meaning of other science words.
Curated OER
Text Structures in Science Writing
Middle schoolers recognize that science writing is organized in identifiable patterns called text structures. Understanding and using these different text structures help refine students' abilities to read and write in science.
Curated OER
The Science of Microbes
Students will explore cells to understand that all living things are composed of cells. In this science lesson, students use the scientific process and work in cooperative groups to gain a better understanding of cells. In this...