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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dissecting Frog Embryos: Cell Membranes and Mitosis

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners use high powered dissection microscopes to dissect and examine frog embryos as well as see balls of cells that were produced by rapid division. The concept of mitosis links to the lesson plan.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seed Dispersion of Strawberries and Dandelions

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars investigate how seeds are dispersed on land.  In this plant biology lesson, students use a dissecting microscope to study strawberry seeds and dandelion seeds, they draw what they see, then create a hypothesis on the seeds...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Case Study Two: Shark Dissection

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read an article on sharks prior to beginning a dissection lab. As part of the lab, students identify differences between the shark anatomy and human anatomy and hypothesize why those differences exist.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Parts of a Perfect Flower

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars explore the parts of a flower. In this flower structures lesson plan, students study a model of a flower and dissect a flower. They label each structure of the flower and observe the pollen grains and ovules under the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classification of an Invertebrate: Sponge

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students investigate the invertebrate sponge. In this invertebrates lesson plan, students observe the sponge, Grantia, using a dissecting microscope. Students answer questions about their observations and view six other invertebrates....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measuring Permeability of Soil, Sand and Gravel

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the different materials in their environment.  In this geology lesson, students collaborate in groups to examine the differences in sand, soil and gravel.  Students utilize a magnifying glass or microscope and record...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classification of an Echinoderm

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study starfish through dissection. In this biology lesson plan, students explore the lives of starfish as they view a slide show, observe parts of echinoderms, and compare the classification of the starfish with other...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Energy of Life in Zebrafish

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students study the stages of development of an unknown organism. In this zebrafish lesson, students examine and collect data as they use microscopes to view a zebrafish embryo.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Microscopy Exercises

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Learners explore organisms and botany by utilizing microscopes. In this microscopic research lesson, students define many plant and organism related vocabulary terms such as conifers, moss and spores. Learners view spores and other...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pollen Tube Growth

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners demonstrate the proper usage of the compound and dissecting microscopes. They identify the parts of a flower and the functions of the flower parts. Students describe the process of gamete formation and fertilization in a flower.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oolitic Sand: An Introduction

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the characteristics of different types of sand. They compare and contrast the types of sand by making observations with a dissecting microscope. Then students draw what is seen and include shape, color, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Layers of the Forest- Leaf Litter

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students conduct an experiment. For this temperate forest lesson, students discuss what kind of animal life can be found in the forest. They read The Magic School Bus Meets the Rot Squad: A Book About Decomposition and complete an...
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Unit Plan
University of Southern California

What Lives In The Ocean?

For Students 4th - 8th
One of the most diverse environments on Earth is the ocean. Young scientists explore the living things found in the ocean during an exciting seven-lesson unit. Their study includes organisms from plankton to invertebrates and vertebrates...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparing Ionic and Polar Covalent Crystals

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders make a number of ionic crystals. They compare a preserved snowflake to the physical properties of the ionic crystals. They apply qualitative observations and drawings in their discussion of the similarities between ice...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observing the Development of Drosophila in Apple Juice Agar

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students observe the development of the Drosophila fly. They observe the first two stages - the egg and the 3 larval instars. They observe the culture every day for 8 days using a stereo dissecting microscope.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Human Epidermal Cells

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students explore epidermal cells. After following specified procedures for removing epidermal cells from their wrist, students view the cells with the use of a microscope. After creating a drawing of their observation, students label the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animal Organs and the Study of Reproduction, Embryology and Cancer

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine organs from dogs and cats to study reproduction, embryology, and the identification of cancer. They record their observations at both the gross and microscopic levels. They present their information to the class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flower Power

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students explore the parts of flowers and how they reproduce. They dissect flowers and observe the reproductive organs. Students observe anthers and ovaries of Tiger Lilies under a microscope. They investigate how insects and other...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seed Types

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students dissect seeds. In this seed dissection lesson, students discover the anatomy of seeds. After dissecting seeds, students hypothesize and design the perfect seed to survive in a dry forest.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pollinators and Wildflowers

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore how plants depend on pollinators to reproduce.  In this pollination lesson students dissect a local flower and collect and identify pollinating insects. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plant Pollination

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners investigate methods of pollination for various flowers. In this plant biology lesson, students learn the parts of a flower and form a hypothesis about the method of pollination for the flower. They determine the validity of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plant Pollution

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners study the different parts of a flower and their functions.  For this pollination lesson students study a flower under a microscope. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Elegant Embryology

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students observe embryogenesis in action through early stages of development of eggs. They observe cultures with dissecting and compound microscopes. They draw their egg, record any details and observe for changes. They compare their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Food with Senses

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners explore properties of fruits and vegetables using their five senses. For this sensory activity lesson, students study fruit and vegetables through a microscope, using their sense of touch as they are blindfolded, and with their...