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...
Curated OER
Plant and Animal Cells
Students investigate parts of a cell. In this plant cell lesson, students determine the difference between plant and animal cells. Students discover that coral is an animal based on cell characteristics. Students create puppets to...
Curated OER
Cells: Nature's Building Blocks
What you will find on this page is the general outline of a unit on the use of a microscope and the structure of the cell. There is no actual educational content here, so you will need to design the details of each of the four student...
Curated OER
Cell Structure and DNA
Sixth graders identify, locate and describe the function of the parts of a cell. In groups, they state the five stages of mitosis and put them in the correct order. They are introduced to the structure of DNA and mRNA and how they...
Curated OER
Onion Skins
Students explore the structure of a plant cell. They carefully peel a single layer of onion skin from a slice of onion and stain it with methylene blue to observe the structures inside. They use a Digiscope connected to a computer to...
LABScI
Circulation and Respiration: Vital Signs
What do your vital signs tell your doctor? An engaging hands-on lesson has your learners monitor their own lung capacity, blood pressure, and heart rate. They then connect the vital measures to the workings of the circulatory and...
Curated OER
Blood Tonic
Students investigate the process of osmosis using fresh potato cuttings in saline solution. In this biology instructional activity, students explain the difference between hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic solutions. They...
Curated OER
What Is an Egg Without its Shell?
Young scholars observe osmosis, a cellular process that normally can't be observed without a microscope, and use scientific method to observe osmosis in a chicken egg.
Curated OER
Molecules Rock
Fourth graders engage in this interactive lesson which illustrates diffusion and osmosis and shows them that molecules of life move dynamically and powerfully. They must analyze their lab orally and in writing.