Chicago Botanic Garden
Impacts of Climate on Forest Succession
Part two in a series of four explores the effects of climate on succession or the changing of plant species in a forest. Groups review how to identify trees and then spend a day in the field collecting extensive data on trees to...
Curated OER
Introducting the Concept of Medical Ecology
Tenth graders examine the effects of the breakout of the West Nile Virus. They make predictions on its origin. They develop and present an action plan to stop the virus from spreading.
Curated OER
Comparative Embryological Study of
Students complete two labs. They observe the fertilization and development of sea urchin and zebrafish embryos. They examine the similarities and differences in the development of an invertebrate vs. a vertebrate animal.
Curated OER
Conservation vs. Economic Growth
Investigate the choices people make between economic growth and personal growth and development using the ethical/decision making model. Small groups create and present a position paper describing their feeling for or against the...
Curated OER
The Living Environment
For this living environment worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle given 34 clues about the various species in the environment that produce, consume and decompose. Topics also include photosynthesis, respiration, glucose,...
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.
Curated OER
Genetic Disorders
Young scholars examine how living cells reproduce and how traits are passed on. In this genetic reproduction lesson students research a topic and present it to the class.
Curated OER
Blue Crabs - The Blue Crab's Chesapeake Journey
A plethora of information about the blue crabs of Chesapeake Bay will amaze and delight your marine biologists. They learn, through direct instruction, about the characteristics and life cycle of this fascinating arthropod. A highlight...
PBS
Lesson Plan: “Seeing the Way: A Brief History of Cataract Surgery”
After looking at the history of cataract surgery techniques, your high schoolers will have a new perspective on medical and scientific advances. Kids alternate between watching short video clips, class discussion, and computer research....
Curated OER
The Right Tool for the Job: Fishing Tools and Technology
Students use modern technology to research the history, design, and function of a specific tool or piece of fishing technology. They create a timeline and story about the evolution of the tool.
Curated OER
What Repair Proteins are Expressed in C-Ferns After Exposure to Varying Amounts of UV Radiation?
Young scholars examine the life cycle of c-ferns. They complete experiments on the organisms exposing them to differnet amount of UV radiation. They collect data and analyze their results.
Curated OER
Preparing for the Possibility of Terrorists
Learners investigate what schools and communities can do to be prepared for terrorist attacks, review school's disaster plan, research types of possible attacks, prepare infographic that makes facts clear, and write news article...
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.
Curated OER
DNA Replication
Students are able to distinguish between transcription and replication. They are able to distinguish between DNA and RNA. Students name some of the proteins and enzymes used in replication and transcription. They are able comprehend the...
Curated OER
Ecology
Students explore, experience and experiment identifying the human impact on the environment of vegetative differences within the same biome. They assess what causes deserts, rain forests, savannahs, tundras and saguaros and how these...
Curated OER
Telling Our Own Stories
Explore online profiles and social media with your middle and high school classes. Use blogs to inspire your class to craft a well-written, thoughtful response to a prompt you give. A few example prompts are given.
Rainforest Alliance
Colombia Biodiversity
How diverse is the rainforest? How much more diverse is a rain forest than a temperate forest? Explore these focus questions in a lesson that explores the plants, animals, and insects in forests. After listening to a reading...
Curated OER
THE CELL: DESIGN AND FUNCTION
After studying the structure and functions of living cells using textbooks, internet or encyclopedias, young scholars prepare a PowerPoint presentation on cell structure and present it to the class.
Agriculture in the Classroom
Roll of the Genes
Animal reproduction in sheep and cattle is explored with the help of Punnet squares. Scholars employ tools using probability to conclude the color of wool a sheep's offspring will have. Acting as animal geneticists, pupils then take...
Curated OER
Innocent or Guilty: A Lab on DNA Gel Electrophoresis
Learners use the prelab as an introduction to the importance of DNA fingerprinting- a form of identification that us being accepted by both scientific and leagl experts. They prepare a gel for electrophoresis. DNA fragments, which have...
Curated OER
Blood Analysis
Learners reconstruct a crime scene to produce the blood spatter pattern. In this forensic science lesson, students describe the events that lead to produce such patterns. They explain the importance of blood analysis in solving crimes.
Curated OER
Inquiry and the Nature of Science
Students identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations, design and conduct a scientific investigation. They also use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data.
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
Diversity of Life
Students compare the different classifications and explore how organisms are grouped. In this classification lesson students study images of organisms and answer questions.