Can you train a worm? Biology buffs will have a blast trying! Using planaria or earthworms, they introduce a certain stimulus repeatedly until the desired response happens more quickly. They also explore the response of their own eyes to...

Dinnertime on the African savanna is a highly choreographed event! Introduce young ecologists to the concept of niche partitioning through a hands-on activity. Pupils research animal behaviors and use data to develop an understanding of...

Do you have young scientists wanting to make new discoveries rather than just completing the same experiments? Young scientists use their observational skills to identify animals and patterns in animal behavior. Through tracking...

High schoolers examine termites and their trail-marking behaviors. They draw lines on paper with various ink pens and experiment to see which types of ink the termites follow--or which inks do and do not elicit trail marking behavior.

Students perform a classroom experiment on the organisms of worms. They view the behaviors of the worms and analyze their results. This lesson introduces students to the techniques involved in behavioral studies.

Young scholars read examples of behaviors in various animals. They design an experimental question about the behavior. They explain if the question involves the proximate or ultimate level of causation.

Students observe a planaria without a microscope and with a stereoscopic microscope. They draw the planaria and describe its motion and eating habits. Students research planarias various body systems and behavior. They design an...

Second graders explore biology by creating birdhouses. In this bird identification lesson, 2nd graders discuss the different types of birds that live in their environment and what characteristics each type of bird has. Students create a...

Students explore biology by completing science worksheets in class. In this animal anatomy lesson plan, students read the book The Adventures of Marco and Polo and identify the animals mentioned in it. Students examine a real life animal...

Ever wondered what motivates a roundworm? Introduce your biology class to C. elegans, a non-parasitic model organism that can help them understand behavioral stimuli. Paired pupils design an experiment to test the worm's reaction to...

Young scholars observe goldfish in different environments. In this biology lesson plan, students watch the behavior of goldfish in water of varying temperatures.

Students identify general abilities that indicate animal cognitive intelligence. In this biology instructional activity, students create an intelligence testing challenge for ravens. They compare its ability to that of a crow.

Young scholars investigate woodbugs. In this scientific investigation lesson plan, students explore the steps scientists take when conducting an investigation using live specimens. Young scholars explore habitat preferences for woodbugs...

Second graders explore biology by researching animal characteristics. In this adaptation lesson, 2nd graders identify the history of several animals and research the changes that have occurred to their anatomy over thousands of years....

Students analyze an animal's life cycle and behaviors, and examine what animals need to stay alive and reproduce. They develop theories and hypotheses about the reasons for migrations, using the Journey North online project.

Students participate in a foraging activity that demonstrates environmental conditions playing an important role in determining the optimal foraging behavior of a particular organism.

Students compare and contrast different spider species that they capture and maintain in the classroom for several days. They identify and research the species characteristics and living requirements then conduct an experiment on spider...

Students investigate the changes in escape behavior in Madagascar Hissing Cockroahes when their sensory apparatus is removed. They use puffs of air at differnt angles to simulate a predator's approach then collect and analyze data on...

Explore biology by researching adaptation. First, learners research and define a list of insect vocabulary terms and discuss the benefits of each insect characteristic. They then utilize a worksheet to create their own insect and share...

Students study animal behavior and how it changes to its environment.  In this animal instructional activity students design and conduct experiments.

Students research how sexual selection plays a role in driving evolution. They experiment how variation exists within not just obvious physical traits, but metabolically and behaviorally. They write a letter describing a problem, and a...

Why read about it when you can watch it happen? Bird cams make it possible for learners to experience the life cycle of a bird in real time! An engaging set of lessons provides activities to connect their learning to bird cam...

Students conduct two set experiments on Lumbriculus worms and create a third experiment of their own. The first of the two set experiments allows students to observe regeneration of the worms while the second allows students to test the...

Young scholars explore biology by creating a report for the class. In this oceanography activity, students research and identify the survival characteristics of a list of freshwater animals by utilizing the Internet and library. Young...