Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life in a Drop of Water

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the structure, function, and characteristics of microscopic organisms that inhabit freshwater through collection of water samples and observation through microscopes.
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Prokaryotes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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....
Lesson Plan
Forest Foundation

The Nature of Trees

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Young botanists examine the different parts of tress and then draw parallels between the functions of these parts and the function of parts of the human body. 
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
Nuffield Foundation

Dissecting Lungs

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Here is a lab activity where teens experience the respiratory system first-hand as they dissect lungs and identify key structures within the system. Although the website is written in British English with some slightly different verbiage...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Neurons and the Nervous System

For Teachers 7th - 12th
The highlight of this series is activitiy #4. Anatomy pupils examine slides of three unknown cells. With the function of the nervous system in mind, they consider the structure of each and try to guess which one is part of that system....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Neuron Cookie

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Find out just how enticing learning about neurons can be by creating models with sugar cookies, icing, and candy. With great background information for you and an easy procedure for the kids, studying cells has never been more fun or...
Lesson Plan
Serendip

DNA

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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.
Lesson Plan
University of Minnesota

Dendritic Spines Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th
This is your brain on drugs ... literally! Your neuroscientists-in-training examine the evidence of drug use on the human brain and how neurons change their connectivity when altered by drugs. They then work together to create testing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Organ Systems

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine organisms that are composed of tissues, organs, and systems. They dissect a fetal pig and explore the assigned organs systems such as the skeletal, muscular, and circulatory organs. Students identify and explain their...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Building a DNA Model

For Teachers 9th - 12th
It has been decades since the discovery of DNA. Still, activities such building this DNA model allow blossoming scientists to better understand the components that form this overall structure. During this activity, they will also...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physiology of Reproduction

For Teachers 8th - 12th
In this health worksheet, students examine the human body and make mental connections to the target function highlighted in the sheet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creative Ways To Teach Evolutionary Concepts

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Research how DNA, the genetic blueprint of living organisms, plays an essential role in the continuity of life. High schoolers will summarize how their influence may very well effect the destiny of the population from one generation to...
Lesson Plan
Serendip

UV, Mutations, and DNA Repair

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Atoms and Elements: An Introduction

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars are able to discuss the difference between a proton, a neutron and an electron. They also can explain the difference between an ionic and a covalent bond. Students know the main structure of atoms and molecules. Student...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Fungus Among Us

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the basic characteristics and roles of fungi. They discuss the importance of fungi to humans. Students investigate the relationship between cell structure and function and explore the diversity and variation of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tree Friends

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Learners are introduced to tree structure and use. They identify their special tree using all senses except sight. Students identify six different internal parts within a cross section of tree trunk (bark, phloem, xylem, cambium,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA Extraction

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students are able to extract and observe a visible amount of DNA from Escherichia coli cells. They discuss the properties of DNA. Students confirm the presence of DNA by a reaction with an indicator.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oops! I Made a Mistake

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study sickle-cell anemia.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Finding the Structure: Pieces of the Puzzle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students gather information about DNA. In this biology lesson, students watch video clips of scientists discussing their contribution to the understanding of DNA, then work a puzzle correlating information to scientist. Lesson includes...
Lesson Plan
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science

Bad Fish, Bad Bird

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
In an advanced biology lesson, learners see a PowerPoint about biologist Dr. Westwood, a two-time victim of poisoning. Designed to be used with clickers in the classroom, you could modify the lesson by creating a worksheet from the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching the Chemical and Structural Properties of DNA

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students work together to answer questions about DNA. They identify where DNA is found and its function in the cell. They note any physical similarities they have with their family members
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Organelles

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Pupils explore the functions of major eukaryotic organelles. They compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Given diagrams and drawings, students take turns drawing structures, discussing their function, and labeling each...
Lesson Plan
Serendip

From Gene to Protein - Transcription and Translation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners identify the different steps involved in DNA transcription. In this genetics lesson, pupils complete a worksheet and model the translation process with a paper chain activity. They watch a video on sickle cell anemia and explain...

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