Curated OER
Microscope Mania
Students examine parts of a microscope and how to use a microscope at five lab stations. They identify parts of a microscope by describing the differences between low power and high power. They visit Internet sites (included in the...
Cornell University
Building a Compound Light Microscope
What better way to learn how to use a microscope than building your own? A lab investigation has scholars use lenses from magnifying glasses and sheets of cork to design their own compound microscopes. They calculate focal length and the...
Cornell University
Optical Simulation of a Transmission Electron Microscope
Don't have an electron microscope? Have your classes build the next best thing! A hands-on lesson asks scholars to build a model of Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). They then use their models to identify the function of each...
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
Introduction to Biology
Young scholars examine a microscope and learn its functions. In this microscope lesson students prepare a wet mount slide and complete calculations.
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...
Pace University
Grade 6-8 Living Things
What characterizes a living thing? Scholars explore the concept during a differentiated instruction unit on living things. They perform lab experiments to determine how animals adapt to stimuli, watch videos and learn about...
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...
Curated OER
Human Evolution: Biology, Bones
Learners will love a weeks worth of bone study. They use bones and characteristics of bones to explore the evolution of hominoids. Bones are compared, categorized, and considered. A great way to bring physical anthropology and material...
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
Stomata: Microscopic Openings that Let Plants Breathe
Learners participate in a lab experiment to observe and measure the opening and closing of stomata. They focus on photoperiod, locate and identify stomata on a leaf and explain the role of stomata in the daily functioning of a plant.
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.
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
Seeing Cells
Students discuss what comes to mind when they hear the term cell and discuss what a cell is in biological terms. They look at pictures of cells and color a picture of a cell diagram, writing the job of each part as they go. After the...
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
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...