Curated OER
Sea Urchin Embryology
Students explore the process of evolution. They examine examples of how homeotic genes may work and obtain gametes. Using a microscope, students observe the fertilization of sea urchins. They video tape the process and write a...
Curated OER
Cell (Biology)
Students conduct a series of activities to explore the nature of cells. In this biology lesson, students observe plant and animal cells under the microscope and compare them. They differentiate osmosis and diffusion.
Curated OER
Exploration of Light
Fifth graders observe the video, Exploring Light and Color. They access a website to create their own light show. They conduct lab experiments to investigate refraction, reflection,and other light-related topics.
Curated OER
Plankton / Phytoplankton
Students discuss the importance of plankton in the ocean ecosystem. In this biology activity, students identify the different types plankton by observing them under the microscope. They explain how plankton population affect global climate.
Curated OER
Stem Cells: 5 Year Progress Report
Students explore different aspects of stem cells. In this human biology lesson, students complete numerous activities including reading an article and discussing it, watching a video on stem cells reproducing over time, and...
Curated OER
Photovoltaics and Solar Energy
Students experiment with photovoltaic cells and determine the energy use of their appliances. In this renewable energy instructional activity, students calculate the energy emitted by a photovoltaic cell through an inquiry-based lab....
Curated OER
What Is an Egg Without its Shell?
Students observe osmosis, a cellular process that normally can't be observed without a microscope, and use scientific method to observe osmosis in a chicken egg.
Curated OER
The Great Archeological Dig
Young scholars explore biology by identifying a diagram. In this cell anatomy lesson, students read a story about archeology and conduct a fictitious archeology dig in class in which they search for animal cells. Young scholars define a...
Curated OER
Wacky Water Critters
Students visit a local creek or stream. They collect water samples from the creek and observe and sort the "water critters" they find in the sample, observing smaller organisms under a microscope if necessary. They identify each organism...
Curated OER
Endosymbiosis: A Friend Within
Pupils research the ecological principle of symbiosis. Using a microscope, students observe the relationship of mutualism between termites and flagellates. Pupils examine a live termite and protozoans. They discuss the principles of...
Curated OER
Elegant Embryology
High schoolers observe embryogenesis in action through early stages of development of eggs. They observe cultures with dissecting and compound microscopes. They draw their egg, record any details and observe for changes. They compare...
Curated OER
Studying Living Organisms
Students are introduced to Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium without recourse to algebra. After participating in this activity, students gain a feeling for the significance of the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium without using algebra.
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The Internal Anatomy of the Grasshopper
Sixth graders explore the internal organs of grasshoppers. They determine the function of the organs through a dissection activity.
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Interdisciplinary Approach to Investigating Popcorn
Students conduct a lab experiment using the scientific method. In this interdisciplinary lesson plan, students will test the difference in popping white and yellow corn. Students will write their lab report in their science, math,...
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Species Diversity and Phylogeny
Students explore the classification system of organisms: taxonomy. They examine prepared slides of Protozoans and record information on a Taxonomy Recording Sheet. Two additional classifying activities are also included in this lesson.
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Bacteria Pool Party
Students investigate the organisms of bacteria. They are given a culture of bacteria that can be observed under a microscope. The students make observations that are recorded. The lesson includes the mention of specific safety...
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Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) with Powdery Mildew Fungi
Middle schoolers explore a specific method of identifying fungi, using a written key and an illustrated key. Powdery mildew fungi can be identified to genus by the morphology (appearance) of the sexual stage (cleistothecia).
Curated OER
Urban Effects on Inshore Plankton
Students investigate the effects of urban pollution on plankton. In this plankton and pollution lesson plan, students use samples of plankton collected in urban areas to observe the effects of pollution on plankton samples. They...
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Dissolved Oxygen in an Aquatic Ecosystem
Students explain why dissolved oxygen is important in aquatic ecosystems. They evaluate the optimal dissolved oxygen levels for living organisms.
Curated OER
Cell Cycle, Mitosis and Meiosis
Seventh graders describe the processes involved in mitosis and meiosis. In this life science lesson, 7th graders create chromosome models using strings and beads. They play a jeopardy team game at the end of the unit to review concepts...
California Academy of Science
What's on a Penny?
As a activity on scientific observation, have your class investigate the features of a penny and a nickel. Working in pairs, they practice writing detailed descriptions using their senses and a ruler to gather information. This is an...
Curated OER
Ecosystems and Remote Sensing
Young scholars obtain remote sensing data to compare and contrast global biomass data with global temperature data.
Curated OER
Changing Planet: Withering Plants - Stressing Over Lost Water
Expectant earth scientists examine the bottom side of a leaf and learn the role of the stomata. They consider the gas exchange that occurs through these structures and relate how the climate is changing to its impact on food crops. This...
Carolina Biological Supply
Aquarium Equilibrium Demonstration
Sometimes equilibrium is a difficult concept for a beginning chemist to grasp. Here is a demonstration that helps them to visualize what is happening at a molecular level. Using two aquariums and different sizes of beakers to transfer...