Cornell University
Extracting DNA
Uncover the basics of DNA structure through exploration activities. Collaborative groups build DNA models and recreate the process of replication. Then, using plant cells such as peas or strawberries, they extract a DNA sample.
Cornell University
Bacteria Take Over and Down
Bacteria outnumber all other forms of life on Earth. Scholars observe the growth of bacteria in petri dishes to understand their role in maintaining good health. Then, they observe the growth of bacteria after they introduce...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
BCR-ABL: Cancer Protein Structure and Function
How do scientists discover treatments for cancer? A presentation and accompanying worksheet explain how one cancer spreads and a theory of how to stop it. It details the trials and relapses after using the medication. Scholars learn...
Serendip
DNA
Get up close and personal with DNA! A two-part hands-on activity has learners extract DNA from a small organism and then their own cheek cells. Scholars then explore DNA replication using questions to guide their analyses.
Curated OER
Classroom Aquaponics: Exploring Nitrogen Cycling in a Closed System
Students investigate nutrient cycling in a simplified desktop ecosystem involving aquarium and hydro-ponically grown plants. They set up an aquarium with 10 gallons of water at least a week before the lab is planned and place...
Curated OER
DNA, the Awesome Thread of Life
Learners examine how traits are passed to offspring. In this genetic reproduction lesson students develop a model of dna and learn about its structure, replication and function.
Science Friday
Capturing Carbon Dioxide
Why don't we just capture carbon dioxide in the air and store it somewhere else? A hands-on lesson allows scholars to explore a complex concept. First, they will create a carbonated beverage, and then they will determine...
Curated OER
The Marvels of Mud
Young scientists roll up their sleeves and get a little dirty in this three-day earth science investigation. Following the scientific method, children monitor the growth of algae in pond water samples in order to determine...
Science Geek
Reaction Kinetics
Show your classes the science behind rates of reactions with a presentation that explains factors that affect the rate, activation energies, exothermic and endothermic processes, and the proportionality of the product and reactant...
Curated OER
Semipermeable Membranes and Bioaccumulation
Beginning biologists place a drop of food coloring into water of differing temperatures to observe the effect on the diffusion rate. They remove the shells from raw eggs and then experiment with osmosis over the remaining membranes....
Curated OER
Macromolecule Lab
During a macromolecule lab, young chemists perform multiple tests, including iodine starch tests, to determine if eight mystery foods contain lipids, sugars, or starches.
Sunlight Cal-Tech
Chromatography of Plant Pigments
Through a hands-on activity, an acetone-spinach solution is pre-made and learners use this solution to separate the pigments found in spinach using chromatography. The comprehensive resource includes an analysis and conclusion...
Serendip
UV, Mutations, and DNA Repair
How effective are cells at repairing UV damage? An inquiry-based lesson has learners experiment with organism by exposing them to various levels of UV light and then examining their DNA after a period of time. Pupils test different...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Development Balances Cell Growth and Death
Cells demonstrate a life cycle like other living things, but what if death was no longer part of the cycle? Learn about the important balance requiring death to continue functioning. An online interactive introduces a group of scientists...
Curated OER
GRAPH-A-TROSS
Students graph many sets of data from the Albatross Project including, flight distances, flight destinations, time between feedings, weight gain of the baby albatross, hatching and fledging dates
Curated OER
Proteins Expressed At Different Stages
Students investigate protein electrophoresis in a lab setting. Full laboratory equipment is needed and safety should be taught. The level of prior knowledge needed to perform lab is high and is ideal for an honors class.
Curated OER
Operating the spectrophotometer
Working in small groups, students explore the operation of spectrophotometer. Using the spectrophotometer, they investigate Beer's Law with everyday items.
Curated OER
Polymerase Chain Reaction and DNA Profiling
Students examine DNA fingerprinting and polymerase chain reaction and how they are used in everyday life and for criminal investigations. They discover how these techniques can also be used to answer ecological and evolutionary questions.
Curated OER
The Case of the Missing Penguins
Students participate in reading a scenario depicting illegal poaching of penguins in Antarctica. They analyze various meat samples to determine whether or not a "confiscated" tissue sample belongs to one of the missing Antarctic penguins.
Curated OER
Introduction to Biomolecules
Students are introduced to biomolecules and their roles in livin systems. They are introduced to the "Elements of Life." Students write down and define the "Elements of Life." They are asked why they think those elements are essential...
Curated OER
Temperature and the Tomato
You will need a photovoltaic system and monitor at your school in order to obtain all of the data required to thoroughly implement this lesson. Your class monitors daily temperature and insolation amounts over a two week span of time....
Curated OER
Limiting Reactant
Chemistry classes learn the importance of a limiting reactant by first considering a cake recipe. Given the recipe and the total amount available for each ingredient, they must calculate how many cakes can be made. Finally, they apply...
Curated OER
Animal Nutrition
Use this great overview to give information on all aspects of nutrition. By working their way through this PowerPoint, students review a lot of information about the digestive process. Students read many facts on a number of...
Curated OER
The Science of Respiration and Blood Circulation
Fifth graders study how respiration and circulation are connected. In this respiratory lesson students complete several activities to better understand heart rate and carbon dioxide in the body.