Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biotechnology

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore biotechnology through various activities. In this biology lesson, students analyze its pros and cons. They study and read informative articles about biotechnology.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Extensions - Biology Review Unit

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students engage in a variety of activities in order to review a Biology unit. For example, they research the Bird Flu, it's history, how it is spread, what has been done about it, what better options exist for controlling or removing it....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Blood Vessels & Circulation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students participate in a layered curriculum designed lesson in order to study the cardiovascular system of the human body. The assessments and activities are student centered.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Breaking It Down

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explain the mechanism of digestion. For this biology lesson, 7th graders perform an iodine test to check for the presence of starch. They discuss how energy travels through the food chain.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA the Easy Way (and "Gram Stain" Without the Mess)

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students visualize DNA from cells and explain the basis and importance of the Gram-stain reaction and to perform the KOH test equivalent.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the basics of DNA and its history.  In this DNA lesson plan students extract DNA from fruits and understand how it is used in forensics.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Background Reading and Coral Dramas

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners create a dramatic play. In this coral instructional activity, students explore the anatomy of coral. Working in groups, learners research the form and function of coral and present a skit to represent their learning.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Invertebrate Classification

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the recent disovery of the "furry lobster" to peak interest in the animal kingdom. They classify various speciments using invertebrate dichotomous keys, identifying major animal phyla and classes. Thy the complete the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is the Relationship Between DNA and Cancer?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the structure and functions of DNA. They discover the effects radon has on one's DNA and how it leads to cancer. They discuss why DNA is so important to us.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Diversity of Life

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Students study the classification of viruses and describe their structure.  For this investigative lesson students complete an activity and answer questions about viruses. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Growing Eyeballs

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students investigate vision and the anatomy of the human eye. They complete a Webquest, watch a video about the structure of the eye, take an online quiz, answer discussion questions, and read newspaper articles about activities that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The View

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the structure and purpose of Op-Ed pieces in the newspaper. They then write Op-Eds from the perspectives of United States presidents on important issues of their day.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creative Ways To Teach Evolutionary Concepts

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore evolutionary concepts in cartoons and lab activities. They describe and explain evolutionary concepts featured in a cartoon and participate in laboratory activities.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using the Correct Vocabulary to Solve Problems

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine the vocabulary and strategies to be used with addition, subtraction, and multiplication word and story problems. They observe the teacher solve a variety of problems, then write and illustrate their own original...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Elastic Recoil in Arteries and Veins

For Teachers 9th - 12th
A lab in which high schoolers examine the difference between arteries and veins. Budding biologists will find out which blood vessel can stretch furthest, recording their data in a table then answering several questions evaluating their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Smart Move!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students visualize a communication system. They encode, decode, transmit, receive and store messages. Students use a code sheet and flashlight for this process. They will also maintain a storage sheet from which they can retrieve...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Portable Sundial

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work together to identify the accuracy of sundials. They track the position of the sun and create a shadow plot. They discover the difference between real time and clock time.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Yeast

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the characteristics of yeasts. In this biology lesson, students conduct experiments to measure yeast respiration. They discuss the favorable conditions needed for growing them.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's Alive! Using Microorganisms in Cooking

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Learners create a KWL chart about food. In this chemistry lesson plan, students differentiate physical and chemical changes. They explain how microorganisms are used in food preparation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science Unit Lesson Five

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders review how and which plants operate in terrariums. In groups, they follow instructions to make their own terrarium and place different types of plants in it. To end the activity, they review the steps in the water cycle and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Producing a Strain of E. coli that Glows in the Dark

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners observe the experimental process called bacterial transformation and demonstrate phenotype changes in bacteria that have been transformed with an antibiotic-resistance gene and a metabolic marker. They create a luminescent...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Viruses

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Germs, parasites, and viruses, oh my! Facilitate a lesson on viruses as individuals explore functions of Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya. They learn how viruses compare with other organisms in nature and how they contribute to health...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

The Effects of Heat and Acid on the Enzyme Catalase

For Teachers 9th - 12th
How quickly do enzymatic reactions occur? Assist the class as they examine heat and pH change to determine the rate of chemical reactions using catalase as an enzyme. Watch them "glow" with excitement!
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lab Experiments in Nutrition

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Looking for authentic hands-on nutritional experiments? High schoolers will perform experiments to test for the presence of vitamin C in several solutions as well as the effect of caffeine on Daphnia. They will also consider the...