Curated OER
Bacteria's Role in Food
Students grow bacteria cultures on agar in petri dishes and do a plate count. They participate in a yogurt making lab to see how bacteria produce lactic acid. They prepare a recipe and identify fungi, fermentation and the role of...
Curated OER
Yeasts and Molds
Students investigate the characteristics and nature of yeast and molds help to explain how these microorganisms affect food production. They experiment with yeast in sourdough in preparing sourdough pancakes.
Curated OER
Microorganism Multiplication
Sixth graders explore biology by viewing video clips in class. In this microorganism identification lesson, 6th graders identify the types of organisms that can feed small animals such as algae and protozoans. Students view video clips...
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
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
MICROBES 1: WHAT'S BUGGIN YOU?
Young scholars 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.
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
Diseases
Sixth graders create a type of notebook or journal using colored copy paper on which to take notes. They complete research on a certain disease and report on it and then design their own disease causing bacteria or virus. Finally, 6th...
Curated OER
Apple Science
Sixth graders explore agriculture by viewing a fruits and vegetables video clip. In this apple characteristics lesson, 6th graders discuss how fruits and vegetables deteriorate after being exposed to oxygen and identify methods to defend...
University of Kentucky
Beneficial Bug Scavenger Hunt
Many people think of bugs as annoying pests to be squashed, but most insects and spiders are beneficial, eating the actual pests or pollinating plants. After reviewing some of the common bugs in your area (they may differ from those...
Curated OER
Climate Change And Disease
Students consider the role of climate change in the occurrence of vector born diseases such as malaria. In small groups, they research a specific vector to complete an information chart on climate changes in the region where the vector...
Curated OER
Pond Life
Students explore pond ecosystems. In this living environment lesson, students observe the local pond and identify the living things they find by drawing pictures. Students observe organisms that were found in the pond by using a...
Curated OER
How Does Your Ecosystem Grow?
Students consider that under certain conditions in nature tend to remain the same or move toward a balance. They observe populations and determine the functions (e.g., de-composers, producers, consumers) they serve in an ecosystem. They...
Curated OER
What Are the Layers of the Rain Forest?
Young scholars investigate the different levels of the rain forest by comparing it to an apartment. In this ecology lesson, students practice using forest related vocabulary words and complete a vocabulary data sheet. Young scholars...
Curated OER
From Wolf to Dog
Students explain how dogs evolved from wolves based on the video. In this biology lesson, students research about breeding animals for specific traits. They interview dog owners and create a presentation about the dog.
Curated OER
Evolution of Biotechnology Timeline
Learners explore how present biotechnology has evolved. They create a timeline is included referencing major scientists and major events in history which have led to our current understanding and use. A teacher time line is included.
Curated OER
Spring of Life
Students explore Florida's springs using video segments. In this video lesson, students examine Florida's springs ecosystem, the animals that live there and the red tide that threatens the environment. The lesson includes researching...
Curated OER
Termite Biology
Students explore the physical characteristics, distribution and habitat of termites. The lesson focuses on the termite as a social creature contrary to most other insects.
Curated OER
Carnivorous Plants: A Bugs Nightmare!
Learners research carnivorous plants and how they trap insects. They role play as botanists to write a research field guide about a newly discovered imaginary carnivorous plant.