Engage young biologists in exploring the mysteries of life with this collection of hands-on activities. Enlisting the help of numerous digital resources, students get an up-close look at the structure of plant and animal...

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...

Junior geologists work through three mini-lessons that familiarize them with the formation and location of fossil fuels. Part one involves reading about petroleum and where it comes from via a thorough set of handouts. A lab activity...

Learners explore scientific observations by examining the parts of a microscope. In this optics instructional activity, students discuss the importance of a focal point and focal distance when utilizing an optical device such as a...

Students examine microscopic life by conducting a scientific investigation. In this cell analysis lesson, students define the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and discuss their word origins. Students view each type of cell on slides...

Eighth graders are able to understand how convex mirrors are used in a microscope. They are able to identify the focus and focal length of a curved mirror and observe virtual images in a convex mirror.

Seventh graders study the parts of a light microscope, and its proper use. They identify each part and explain why it is important to know how to use this tool. They practice observing newsprint on a wet mount slide.

Students will learn about the pioneers who discovered the cell and its parts. They will be able to relate advances in microscope technology to the discoveries. Students diagram a time line and answer questions at the end to check for...

Scientists are always sorting and classifying objects based on their characteristics. In a hands-on learning activity, young space explorers work together to categorize solar system cards based on their properties. It is up to the...

Students explore organisms and botany by utilizing microscopes. In this microscopic research instructional activity, students define many plant and organism related vocabulary terms such as conifers, moss and spores. Students view spores...

Explore the concept of scientific classification and the similarities and differences between plant and animal species. Your class will participate in hands-on activities by investigating dichotomous keys and classifying their shoes. To...

Students explore biology by identifying a diagram. In this cell anatomy instructional activity, students read a story about archeology and conduct a fictitious archeology dig in class in which they search for animal cells. Students...

Learners explore the classification system of organisms: taxonomy. They examine prepared slides of Protozoans and record information on a Taxonomy Recording Sheet. Two additional classifying activities are also included in this lesson.

Students compare and contrast the different characteristics of animal-like, plant-like, and fungus-like protists. They list examples and describe the characteristics shared by the three protist groups. They create a brochure or slideshow...

Young scholars view bacteria through a microscope. They draw and label the bacteria using microbiology software loaded onto their Palms.

Students come to understand vocabulary words through pantomime. In this vocabulary lesson, students first review several vocabulary words and their meaning, then they work in groups to pantomime the definitions.

As a lesson on scientific observation, have your class investigate the features of a penny and a nickel. Working in pairs, they practice writing detailed descriptions using their senses and a ruler to gather information. This is an...

A lab in which high schoolers examine the difference between arteries and veins. Budding biologists will find out which blood vessel can stretch furthest, recording their data in a table then answering several questions evaluating their...

Students complete seventeen question test about food safety which includes matching vocabulary terms, short answer questions and fill in the blank questions. Test is part of the Food Safety Unit produced by the College of Agricultural...

Learners classify the characteristics of butterflies and moths moths. For this life cycle lesson, students identify butterflies and moths common in the state of Iowa as well as their characteristics.  Learners then learn the proper...

Fourth graders complete a worksheet. In this life cycle lesson, 4th graders learn about the leaf cycle and complete a worksheet where they put the leaf cycle steps in the correct order.