Curated OER
Zebrafish as a Model for Muscle Development
Students explore the steps of protein synthesis in zebrafish. They view video clips to identify the parts of a zebrafish and observe them as they sequence the developmental stages. In groups they identify the muscles and how proteins are...
Curated OER
Health: Symptoms and Stages of Pregnancy
Students examine the growth and changes that occur during the three trimesters of pregnancy. Issues such as toxemia and spontaneous abortion are also considered. In groups, students rotate to various stations exploring aspects related...
Curated OER
Comparative Embryology
High schoolers compare and contrast the embryonic development of human, chicken and fish embryos. They create a detailed outline of similarities and differences among the three embryos at various stages of development.
Curated OER
Zebra, Zebra Where Are Your Stripes?
Students observe the embryological development in the zebrafish. Developmental hierarchy from three germ layers is studied in depth. Research is validated on the body plan of the embryo.
Curated OER
Spotlight On Stem Cells
Young scholars discover the differences in how stem cells develop and function depending on their source. They see how scientists are using stem cells - from a variety of sources - to study how they can be used to cure certain illnesses...
Curated OER
Natural Selection
Students estimate how many different species of organisms inhabit the Earth. In groups, they match the pictures of embryos at the different stages of development. They compare and contrast animals from the sky, land, and water and...
Curated OER
The Effects of Alcohol and other Teratogens: A model using Zebrafish
Students investigate the interference of various drugs on an embryo through experimentation. This is an open-ended lab to allow students to see effects of various chemicals humans choose to put in their bodies and create questions they...
Virginia Department of Education
Biotechnological Issues and Bioethics
Culminate a bioethics unit with the implementation of a lesson plan that incorporates the Socratic method to encourage class feedback and participation. Pupils participate in a discussion on bioethics and morality, complete a writing...
Curated OER
The Energy of Life in Zebrafish
Students study the stages of development of an unknown organism. In this zebrafish lesson, students examine and collect data as they use microscopes to view a zebrafish embryo.
Curated OER
How To Make an Artificial Organ
Students examine the advances made in technology with regard to prosthetics and replacement organs and limbs. They describe the anatomy and functions of different organs and create their own artificial organ. They defend and present...
Curated OER
Evidence of Change
Pupils identify evidence of change in species using fossils, anatomical similarities, and embryology. They identify homologous structures and arrange the steps of fossil formation. Students complete a group of selection of organisms by...
Curated OER
Homology: Where Does The Evidence Lead
Students are introduced to the topic of homology. In groups, they read a case study and compare different drawings of early vertebrate emryos. They work together to answer discussion questions and label the various parts of each embryo.
Curated OER
The Cell Cycle and Cancer
High schoolers compare and contrast the cell cycle of frog eggs, normal cells, and cancer cells. They watch a video about early development of the frog embryo, generate a hypothesis in small groups, and listen to a teacher-led lecture. ...
Curated OER
Are Adult Pancreatic Beta Cells Formed by Self-duplication or Stem Cell Differentiation?
A case-study of Dr. Melton's experiment on pancreatic cells highlights this worksheet. Details of the study adorn the first three pages, complete with diagrams. Biology buffs then analyze the data and identify problems within the...
Serendip
Understanding How Genes Are Inherited via Meiosis and Fertilization
Bring the excitement of genetics to scholars with a dynamic hands-on meiosis modeling experience. During the activity, biologists follow step-by-step procedures to build chromosomes, model independent assortment, learn about crossing...
Curated OER
A Hard Sell on Stem Cells?
Students examine their prior knowledge of cell regeneration and therapeutic use of stem cells. After reading an article, they discover new techniques for deriving embryonic stem cells. In groups, they research on the different types of...
Curated OER
What Is Cloning?
Students differentiate between reproductive and therapeutic cloning and then use research, discussion, and writing in journals to examine their own personal opinions on these subjects.
Curated OER
The Battle of the Experts
Students view the "Smoking Gun" video as an illustration of someone claiming to be an expert who really is not one. They discuss the fact that some experts also come with biases and personal agendas. Students research experts from...
Curated OER
Bioethics And Fetal Tissue Research
Students are introduced to the topic of fetal tissue implantation. In groups, they examine a case study and share information with the rest of the class. Then they do a reflective writing assignment to assess understanding of the ethical...