Curated OER
ISOLATION OF DNA FROM ONION
Students perform a laboratory exercise designed to show how DNA can easily be extracted from onion cells. They conduct an optional test for the presence of DNA using standard lab equipment.
Towson University
Looking Into Lactase: Structured Inquiry
Why is lactase important? Biology scholars explore enzyme function in a structured inquiry lab. The activity tasks lab groups with observing how temperature and pH affect enzyme activity, as well as determining which milk products...
Curated OER
DNA on Stick
Students experience a "hands-on" activity to get visual evidence of the physical nature of DNA and the process of DNA purification. They explore one method of chromosomal DNA isolation and DNA extraction.
Curated OER
Nitrogen Cycle-Stream Side Science
A thorough background and nitrate sampling lab sheet are provided to share with your young scientists. After discussing the nitrogen cycle with the class, you will break them into small groups and show them how to use their inquiry...
Curated OER
Dinosaur and DNA Days
Biology stars extract DNA samples from beef thymus and then examine its properties. They use enzymes to digest the DNA samples, and then use electrophoresis to separate fragments. Finally, they discuss methods and principles of...
University of California
Hot! Hot! Hot!
Calories are not tiny creatures that sew your clothes tighter every night, but what are they? A science lesson, presented at multiple levels, has learners experiment with heat, heat transfer, and graph the function over time. It also...
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....
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
The Effects of Colloidal Silver on Microbial Growth: Investigating Snake Oil Science
Can your classes solve the problem of the smelly sweat sock? Young scientists complete a lab investigation that begins by using electrochemistry to generate colloidal silver. They use their solutions to test the rate of microbial growth...
Nuffield Foundation
Extracting DNA from Living Things
Help! Someone's trying to take my DNA! An interesting lab experiment has scholars use basic materials to extract DNA. By applying ethanol, cold water, and a protease enzyme, like pineapple juice, they pull strands of DNA from peas,...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
How Dry am I? Exploring Biomimicry and Nanotechnology
Help your classes feel like they can walk on water! An engaging inquiry-based instructional activity has young scholars experiment with different surface coatings. They make observations about their properties and how they relate to the...
Kenan Fellows
The Little Stuff Can Make a Big Difference
Great things come in small packages! What better way to illustrate this point than a week-long look at nanotechnology? Earth science scholars explore water quality issues through lab activities, then research new innovations in nanotech...
Curated OER
"Using Cichlids To Demonstrate the Effects of Human Activity On Ecosystems"
Students explore the freshwater ecosystem of Africa's Lake Victoria by creating a freshwater aquarium. They investigate factors affecting the aquarium's ecosystem and conduct lab activities.
Curated OER
Anatomy of the Heart
Tenth graders examine the different parts of the heart. In this biology lesson, 10th graders perform dissection of the fetal pig. They explain how the heart maintains homeostasis.
Curated OER
Moldy Jell-O
Students design an experiment to determine the best conditions for molds growth. In this biology instructional activity, students collect data for a week and analyze their findings. They create a presentation and share them with the class.
Curated OER
Authentic Assessment/ Lab Practicum (Video format)
Students are given this authentic assessment format after the study of any laboratory activity (or group of labs). It's purpose is to replace the lab practicum when it is not possible to do a real set-up and /or to serve as a make-up...
Curated OER
Investigating an Enzyme-controlled Reaction: Catalase and Hydrogen Peroxide Concentration
Are you looking for a way to measure cellular respiration? Try it with pureed potatoes. With some standard high school science equipment, biologists can perform an investigation and collect data surrounding byproducts of respiration. You...
Curated OER
"Honey Dew from Bunny Too!"
The students will design a lab to test the mechanism that triggers spore dispersal. They should have some clues after making observations of the life cycle. Part of the fun here is to let the students devise a method for testing this...
Curated OER
Temperature Affects The Heart Rate
Learners relate heart rate and development to environmental conditions through experiment. In cooperative groups, students record the heart rate in developing zebra fish. Groups create a standard curve to predict the temperature at...
Teach Engineering
Kidney Stone Crystallization
No one likes kidney stones, but they are very interesting to learn about. The last installment of a three-part unit has learners experiment with different chemicals to see which one inhibits the growth of calcium oxalate crystals (which...
Curated OER
Science: Bees: An Interdisciplinary Approach
Students investigate the world of bees and describe their characteristics. by identifying the bees' parts, they demonstrate how these parts function. In the lab, students dissect bees and view the various parts under microscopes. ...
Curated OER
Using Video to Quantify a Reflex Response to a Stimulus
Students examine the effects of a stimulus on a reflex by changing the strength or force at which the stimulus is applied. Students chart and record data of the lab using video tape.
Curated OER
A Lab Trilogy for Beginning Biology Teachers
Young scholars are able to explain their models to other students and to their parents. Then young scholars like to decorate the room by hanging the models or constructing mobiles of a number of models.
Curated OER
DNA Sequencing Model Lab
Students pretend they are each genetic engineers with a test tube of unknown DNA (PCR'd) possibly taken from blood cells of someone with a genetic condition.
Curated OER
Science Lesson Plans
Students conduct a variety of exploration activities on various science topics. For this science lesson outline, students design a cell encapsulation to hold a specific type of medicine. They give examples of physical and chemical...