Curated OER
Protein Synthesis Activities
Students participate in a teacher-guided activity to teach about protein synthesis. Student roles include one person as the DNA molecule, another is a single stranded sequence of complementary mRNA.
Curated OER
The Structure of DNA
Students describe the structure of the double helix, explain how DNA copies itself, and recognize that the sequence of DNA is what makes each individual unique.
Curated OER
Slimy cells
Students study the parts of a cell. In this chemistry instructional activity students complete an activity in which they make as much slime as they want.
Curated OER
What Happens When A Cell Divides?
Students investigate the cycle of mitosis. In this biology activity, students discuss the different stages of mitosis through cell reproduction. They further their investigation through laboratory analysis.
Curated OER
The Giant Cell
After actively participating in a unit on cells, the students act out and become the organelles. They will act out and explain the functions of what each of the organelles do for the cell.
Curated OER
Study of the Cell
Students draw a diagram to show the fluid mosaic model of a membrane. They explain how hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties help membranes hold their shape. They identify the functions of different cell membrane proteins as well.
Curated OER
Discovering the Structure of the Atom
Students investigate atomic and nuclear structure of matter by researching historical atomic theories. Students examine Rutherford's studies and discover that many scientific conclusions change over time as new data is collected.
Cornell University
Extracting DNA
Uncover the basics of DNA structure through exploration activities. Collaborative groups build DNA models and recreate the process of replication. Then, using plant cells such as peas or strawberries, they extract a DNA sample.
Serendip
DNA
Get up close and personal with DNA! A two-part hands-on activity has learners extract DNA from a small organism and then their own cheek cells. Scholars then explore DNA replication using questions to guide their analyses.
Curated OER
Teaching About Plate Tectonics and Faulting Using Foam Models
Young scientists learn about plate tectonics and the three different types of faults (normal, reverse, and strike-slip) using foam models. The activity also covers common types of locations where these faults are found.
Cornell University
Thinking with the Eyes
Objects are larger (or smaller) than they appear! Scholars use a laboratory investigation to explore the difference between resolution and magnification. The activity allows them to calculate the size of the field of view of their light...
Lake Science Collaborative
Blood Circulation Simulation
Act out the circulation of blood in the body with an innovative activity. Kids act as either body parts or blood, and carry necessary nutrients and waste throughout different stations to represent the way that oxygen circulates.
Serendip
UV, Mutations, and DNA Repair
How effective are cells at repairing UV damage? An inquiry-based lesson has learners experiment with organism by exposing them to various levels of UV light and then examining their DNA after a period of time. Pupils test different...
Teach Engineering
Copycat Engineers
It's often said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Young engineers learn about biomimicry, which uses nature to generate engineering ideas, in the fifth lesson of nine in a Life Science unit. Working in groups, they select...
Virginia Department of Education
Animal Phyla and Plant Divisions
Searched hours for an activity that allows individuals the ability to use multiple resources to learn about both plant and animal kingdoms? This discussion and activity provide pupils with the ability to visualize each organism...
Cornell University
Classification
Explore the scientific method of classification. An interactive activity asks learners to create a classification system for a group of objects and develop a flow chart to communicate their systems. In addition, individuals use a...
Maine Math & Science Alliance
Earth as a System
Ecosystem, human body system, weather system. We hear the word system a lot, but what does it really mean? In the activity, pairs or groups of learners discuss how a bicycle is a system and then analyze objects in their classroom and...
Curated OER
Onion Skins
Students explore the structure of a plant cell. They carefully peel a single layer of onion skin from a slice of onion and stain it with methylene blue to observe the structures inside. They use a Digiscope connected to a computer to...
Curated OER
How Genes Work Lesson Plan
Students define the key terms that are the structure and function of DNA. In this genetics lesson plan students complete a lab activity in which they construct a model DNA structure.
Curated OER
The Living Environment
Sixth graders show what they know about plant and animal cells. For this cell project lesson, 6th graders get to choose a project based on their learning style. They can create a visual representation of cells, auditory forms, or build a...
Curated OER
DNA and Protein Synthesis in the Cell
Students explore how DNA fits into chromosomes and how chromosomes relate to the human body. They learn about DNA replication and protein synthesis and model these two processes in Web activities.
Virginia Department of Education
Levels of Cellular Organization
What an eccentric way to learn about each level of cellular organization! Allow emerging biologists to utilize white paper and create their own foldable charts to describe each level of organization in the body. You may also adapt the...
Curated OER
Structure of Natural Narratives
Class pairs select a prompt from a provided list and tell (and record) their story to their partner. They then examine linguist William Labov's model for natural narratives, and apply his model to their tale. Next, class members watch...
Curated OER
Fruit Fly Ranch Activity
Seventh graders describe how the traits of an organism are passed from generation to generation. They distinguish between asexual and sexul reproduction. Students identify traits through genes and those resulting from interactions with...