Curated OER
Mitosis and Cancer - Biology Teaching Thesis
Observe onion root cells undergoing mitosis underneath a light microscope and determine the phase of mitosis the cells are in. High schoolers draw a sketch of the mitotic cells, explore why cells undergo mitosis and learn how...
Nuffield Foundation
Working with Immobilized Enzymes or Microscopic Organisms
Let the lab be a catalyst to learn about enzymes. Scholars create alginate beads filled with yeast. As part of an investigation into enzymes, they see how these beads provide a catalyst to the reaction of glucose into ethanol.
Curated OER
Cells: A First-Hand View
In the first of two activities, your charges prepare wet mount slides of cork and bean sprout cells in imitation of Robert Hooke's historical investigation. An excerpt from his notes is included. Then, investigators compare animal cells...
Curated OER
Barn Owl Pellet Lab
For this lab worksheet, students dissect a barn owl pellet then identify the different small animals found in the owl pellet. Using class data they calculate percentage present as well as complete 8 post lab questions.
Curated OER
The Microscopic World
Young scholars identify magnification by first using a magnifying glass and then with photos taken through a microscope. They complete a handout that leads them through each activity stated. Finally, students use their microscope to...
Virginia Department of Education
The Cell Cycle and Mitosis
What a packed lesson! Provide your class with the opportunity to learn about the cell cycle in several exciting ways. Biologists first learn about the theory behind mitosis, then proceed to view onion tips under the microscope and create...
Curated OER
Biology: Understanding Cellular Organelles
Students distinguish the differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells. Using microscopes, they examine a variety of plant and animal cells. Working in groups, they draw and label plant and animal cells and show the mathematical...
Curated OER
Evidence of Photosynthesis
Hands on science is the way to go! Learners conduct a lab experiment to help them explain how plants make food through photosynthesis. They test for the presence of starch in leaves using iodine solution and identify the basic things...
Curated OER
Discovering Mitosis in Onion Roots
Students discover the different stages of mitosis by examining onion roots under a microscope, drawing diagrams of what they see, and organizing collected data in a chart and create a pie graph from their lab data.
Curated OER
Life Through a Microscope
In this microscope usage worksheet, 7th graders complete an introduction packet that takes them through several lab activities that helps introduce and familiarize them with using the microscope.
Curated OER
Making Karyotypes
In this karyotype worksheet, high schoolers answer 5 pre-lab questions before cutting out numbered chromosomes and matching them to unnumbered chromosomes to create a karyotype.
Nuffield Foundation
Observing Osmosis, Plasmolysis, and Turgor in Plant Cells
Create the perfect conditions for osmosis. Young scholars use a microscope to observe plant cells exposed to distilled water or sodium chloride. They observe how osmosis creates turgid or plasmolyzed cells.
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...
Virginia Department of Education
Prokaryotes
Lead your biology class on a cell-sized adventure! Emerging scientists construct models of prokaryotes, then design an experiment to properly grow a bacterial culture. They conclude the activity by viewing the culture under a microscope....
Curated OER
Hormone-Induced Plant Propagation Lab using Carrot Root Cultures
Learners evaluate the importance of hormones in living things. In this biology lesson, students experiment on carrots to differentiate how humans and plants reproduce. They collect data from experiment to answer analysis questions.
Curated OER
Just Because You Cannot See It... Doesn't Mean It's Not There
Students discover bacteria which is around them by using agar over three days. For this biology lesson, students predict what they will see over the three days and then take photographs of what is actually shown. Finally, students write...
Curated OER
Cell (Biology)
Students conduct a series of activities to explore the nature of cells. In this biology lesson, students observe plant and animal cells under the microscope and compare them. They differentiate osmosis and diffusion.
Curated OER
Seed Dispersion of Strawberries and Dandelions
Young scholars investigate how seeds are dispersed on land. In this plant biology lesson plan, students use a dissecting microscope to study strawberry seeds and dandelion seeds, they draw what they see, then create a hypothesis on the...
Curated OER
Plankton / Phytoplankton
Students discuss the importance of plankton in the ocean ecosystem. In this biology activity, students identify the different types plankton by observing them under the microscope. They explain how plankton population affect global climate.
Curated OER
The Great Archeological Dig
Students explore biology by identifying a diagram. In this cell anatomy lesson, students read a story about archeology and conduct a fictitious archeology dig in class in which they search for animal cells. Students define a list of...
Curated OER
Dissecting Frog Embryos: Cell Membranes and Mitosis
Students use high powered dissection microscopes to dissect and examine frog embryos as well as see balls of cells that were produced by rapid division. The concept of mitosis links to the lesson.
Curated OER
Cell Size and Shape; Diffusion and Osmosis Processes
Use salmon eggs as a cell model for demonstrating the movement of water over concentration gradients. Junior scientists examine the same process microscopically with an onion cell. They use a thistle tube and a semipermeable membrane to...
Curated OER
Biological Concepts
Students perform a transection of a redworm. They discuss spinal cord injuries in humans. Students compare the ability of the redworm to regenerate the ventral nerve cord with the inability of humans to repair damage to the dorsal nerve...
Serendip
Genetic Engineering Challenge – How Can Scientists Develop a Type of Rice That Could Prevent Vitamin A Deficiency?
Brown rice contains vitamins B and E, while white rice lasts longer in storage. The availability of rice around the world makes it a great candidate for genetic engineering. Scholars apply their knowledge of genetic engineering to solve...