Curated OER
Making Connections: Exploring Our Brains through the Five Senses
Students identify structures of the brain, and neurons and analyze their functions. In this nervous system lesson students create drawings and models of anatomy.
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.
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Can We Absorb Nanoparticle Pollutants?
Just because we can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there! A growing concern for environmental scientists is toxic nanoparticles in our air and water. Young scholars conduct an experiment to demonstrate how these particles can cross our...
Curated OER
Plant And Animal Cells
Learners identify parts of plant and animal cells and describe the functions of each part. They distinguish between plant and animal cells. After a lecture/demo, students perform experiments which help them construct models of plant and...
Curated OER
Cell Repair and Cell Cycle
Seventh graders explore the cell cycle. They view pictures of different stages of mitosis and explain why cells reproduce. They identify the five phases of mitosis: interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
Curated OER
Cells
Students are introduced to the life cycle of a cell. In groups, they identify and describe the function of organelles. They compare and contrast the differences and similarities between plant and animal cells as well. They complete a...
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
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.
Virginia Department of Education
The Ratio of Surface Area to Volume
Demonstrate the ratio of surface area to volume in your high school class by using phenolphthalein, gelatin, and an onion. Intrigue the class by leading a discussion on osmosis and diffusion, then making "scientific jello." Participants...
Curated OER
Plasmolysis in Elodea Plant Cells
High schoolers microscopically observe various subcellular components. They determine the effects of different salt solutions on Elodea plant cells. Students explain the major function of a cell membrane and describe its structure.
Curated OER
The Living Environment
Sixth graders show what they know about plant and animal cells. In this cell project instructional activity, 6th graders get to choose a project based on their learning style. They can create a visual representation of cells, auditory...
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
"What If?" A Jigsaw Activity
Students, in groups, consider a scenario in which some structure of a cell has been changed. They explore how structural change affects the function of a cell and create a visual aid to illustrate their observations.
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
What is an Organism?
Sixth graders take a pre-test and summarize teacher's discussion of cells, tissues, organs in their notebooks. They read selections on organisms in their textbook and perform a dissection of a chicken drumstick with the thigh attached....
Curated OER
Extracting DNA from Your Cells - Teacher Preparation Notes
Learners extract their own DNA from cheek cells. In this biology instructional activity, students explain the replication process. They identify the structure and composition of DNA.
Curated OER
Cell-ebrations in Science
Young scholars recognize that all living things are made up of cell and that they cannot easily be seen by the naked eye. Students become familiar with the use of microscopes as a tool for investigation.
Curated OER
Fighting Infection
Pupils study immune responses and the structures that are related to immune cells functions. In this fighting infection lesson plan students construct antibody complexes and model the interaction of the immune system when it is...
Curated OER
The Characteristics of Living Things
Eighth graders explore the characteristics of living things. In this living things lesson plan, 8th graders review as a class the cell theory and the characteristics of living things. They answer questions about how to determine if...
Curated OER
The Functions of the Heart
Students explore the function of the human heart. In this heart anatomy lesson, students participate in activities offered at an Internet website to discover the characteristics and jobs of the parts of the human heart.
Curated OER
Science Lessons
Tenth graders research about the different cell organelles. For this series of biology lessons, 10th graders compare two allotropes of carbon. They investigate how the rate of reaction is affected by concentration.
Curated OER
Hearing and Sound
High schoolers construct a model of the ear to learn the parts of the ear. In this ear lesson plan, students build a model and use a poster to determine the structures and functions of each structure in the ear.