Curated OER
Cell Biology
Identify the different cell organelles in prokaryotes. Modelling the cells using Jell-o and candies will be a fun way to experience the cell in a hands-on way (different to using play-doh!). They observe cells under a microscope and draw...
Curated OER
Cell Cycle, Mitosis and Meiosis
Seventh graders describe the processes involved in mitosis and meiosis. In this life science lesson, 7th graders create chromosome models using strings and beads. They play a jeopardy team game at the end of the unit to review concepts...
California Academy of Science
Color Vision Genetics Evolution Simulation
At one point, all mammals carried only two color receptors, but now most humans carry three. An informative presentation and hands-on activity demonstrate how this evolved through genetics. By participating in the activity, pupils...
Curated OER
Student Cancer Journals -- Personal Reflections and Research on Life and Death Issues
Concepts learned in the study of mitosisand biochemistry help when making life or death decisions. Compile a notebook or portfolio of work related to the project can make the research more organized and relevant.
University of Washington
Pasta Genetics
Four different-shaped and dyed pasta types represent four different alleles. Following a guide sheet, young geneticists practice randomly selecting alleles and discover the traits of the resulting offspring. This is a fun and solid...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Viral DNA Integration
How do viruses hijack our cells to produce more viral particles? Junior immunologists model how viral RNA integrates into a host cell's DNA using pop beads and use interactive tools to explore a virus' genome. The teacher's guide...
Curated OER
Wherever We Go, There They Are!
The central video for this instructional activity is not available through the included resource link. However, the activity that simulates the passing of a virus through a population is impacting and the other resource links are...
Polar Trec
Arctic Smorgasbord!
Two blooms of phytoplankton, instead of just one, now occur in the Arctic due to declining sea ice, which will have widespread effects on the marine life and climate. In small groups, participants build an Arctic food web with given...
Curated OER
Stem Cell Research
Students examine embryonic cell research and the controversy that surrounds it. In this stem cell lesson students use a debate model and present and defend their positions.
Curated OER
Who Are We? An Introduction to the Life Within Our Bodies
Students examine cell structure, cell division, and the basic structure of DNA. They read and discuss a case study of DNA research, answer discussion questions, role-play the process of mitosis, and complete a DNA Fact or Fiction worksheet.
Curated OER
Defining the Difference Between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
Young scholars 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. Young scholars view each type of cell on...
Curated OER
Unit on Developing a Basic Understanding of Plants
Fifth graders study the parts of a plant, their life cycles, and how to care for them in this unit.
Curated OER
Life or Death Food Chain Decision
Students discuss how energy is transferred to different trophic levels. In this biology lesson plan, students solve a theoretical problem and debate on a solution. They explain how energy is lost during cellular respiration.
Curated OER
The Virtual Electron Microscope
Students explore the world of the very small using a Flash plug-in Virtual Electron Microscope. They complete and discuss an activity in which unknown samples are placed under the computer simulated microscope to determine where the...
Curated OER
Apoptosis: Programmed Cell Death During Development
Students model the plasticity of neural pathways for memory in the brain. They simulate the cell activity according to dots on cards that they are given. They complete various simulations of different cell combinations.
Curated OER
Mr. Bones
Students play CD-ROM game My Amazing Human Body, and participate in relay game in Phys. Ed. where they put together skeleton on which body parts are labeled.
Curated OER
Panther Exam: Writing a Play
Students demonstrate their knowledge of panthers by writing a play on the subject. In this animal life lesson, students view a slide-show on school computers of a veterinary exam of a panther. Students utilize this...
Curated OER
Genetically Modified Organisms
High Schoolers complete a variety of activities as they examine the ethics of (and take a position concerning) genetically modified organisms in the field of agriculture. They complete a PowerPoint demonstration to go along with the unit.
Curated OER
Systems Working Together
Fourth graders practice reading in the content areas (science) in order to explore the interdependence of the body systems. They answer written questions after reading.
Curated OER
Mature Forest Mime
Learners come to understand vocabulary words through pantomime. For this vocabulary lesson, students first review several vocabulary words and their meaning, then they work in groups to pantomime the definitions.
Curated OER
Genetic Research: A Congressional Hearing
Students participate in a mock hearing of the U.S. Senate subcommittee on genetic research. They representing support groups for various genetic disorders present arguments for continued federal funding, while subcommittee members are...
Curated OER
Filter Feeding in Reef Sponges
Students investigate the role of sponges in our oceans. In this biology lesson plan, students create a diagram visualizing how sponges bring food into their bodies through a filtering process. Students discuss the connections...
Curated OER
Mitosis and Meiosis
Students model and differentiate between the processes of mitosis and meiosis. In partners, they use yarn and construction paper to create models for each of the phases of mitosis and meiosis then compare the chromosome numbers in each...
Curated OER
Basic Vitamins: Water-Soluble and Fat-Soluble
Students examine vitamins and study their functions and food sources. They research what happens to vitamins when foods are overcooked. They prepare a microwaveable vegetable quiche.