Curated OER
Find the Speed of a Protist
Students identify protists under a microscope, and using a stopwatch calculate the speed of a protist from a pond water sample. They use distance and time to identify the speed of a protist, and create a distance versus time graph to...
Curated OER
DNA Extraction
Students explore biology by participating in a fun science experiment. In this DNA instructional activity, students discuss what DNA is and where it comes from. Students utilize two bananas, a blender and a microscope to view the DNA of...
Curated OER
Leaf Pack Study
Students conduct an experiment using leaf packs. In this leaf lesson students complete an activity in groups and complete a handout.
Curated OER
How Clean Is Our Water?
Students examine samples of water to determine its cleanliness. They visit a waste treatment plant and/or reservoir. Students explore what protects the water supply from contamination by chemical or organize pollution. They trace the...
Curated OER
Water Molds (Oomycetes)
Students research a group of fungus-like organisms; the Oomycetes, by baiting them from natural sources (water and soil) and observing them.
Curated OER
Aquatic Insects: Water Quality Index & Diversity Index
Students search stream beds to study the life cycle and adaptations of stream insects. They explore creeks and streams to see the diversity index of creeks or streams and to find the water qualit index.
Curated OER
Color Theory
Students are able to gain an understanding of primary and secondary colors. They are able to explore about how a mixture of colors makes up white light. Students are able to experiment with the mixing of paint that uses pigments, not...
Curated OER
Microbes From a Hay Infusion
Middle schoolers observe, over time, microbes such as amoebas, protozoa, rotifers and insect larva. They create a hay infusion culture using pond water then sample and record organisms found over a two week period.
Curated OER
How Do Cells Reproduce?
Beginning biologists prepare a sugar solution for yeast cells to live in, and divide it into two different jars. Samples from each jar are viewed with a microscope, and then one jar is placed in a warm environment and the other a cold...
Nuffield Foundation
A Closer Look at Blood
Here is a lab that has teenage scientists examining samples of their own blood under a microscope. Learners carefully prepare slides, then make detailed observations and identifying different types of cells using a key.
Curated OER
Science: Microcosms in the Biosphere
In a series of lessons, examine the impact on humans by microcosms in the biosphere. Among the plans structured for students with different abilities and learning styles, are activities describing the symbiotic relationship, drawing the...
Curated OER
Amoeba This!!! Amoeba That!!!
Students investigate protozoa. In this protozoa lesson, students identify and classify different types of protozoa using different ecological samples and protozoa charts.
Curated OER
Life in a Forest Stream
Students assess macro-invertebrates from a stream. In this science lesson plan, students observe, classify and identify organisms found in a stream. A lab station is constructed at the stream sight and students study the different...
Curated OER
Inquiry-based Investigations into Pond Water Microorganisms
Students become familiar with common microorganisms and experience exploring the microbial world.
Curated OER
Stream Chemistry Monitoring
Students become familiar with real-world gathering of chemical data. The experience how the science is done: the nature of analysis, data collection, interpretation, and presentation. They study a nearby body of water for their experiment.
Curated OER
The Effects of Osmotic Balance and Imbalance In Living Cells
Learners investigate osmotic balance in living cells. In this osmotic balance lesson plan, students use elodea leaves to study the effects of salt solutions on the cell. They compare the changes in an elodea leaf with salt water on it to...
Curated OER
Inquiry in Science Using an Animal Behavior Model
Students observe a planaria without a microscope and with a stereoscopic microscope. They draw the planaria and describe its motion and eating habits. Students research planarias various body systems and behavior. They design an...
Curated OER
Pond Life
Students explore pond ecosystems. In this living environment lesson plan, students observe the local pond and identify the living things they find by drawing pictures. Students observe organisms that were found in the pond by using a...
Curated OER
Human Epidermal Cells
Students explore epidermal cells. After following specified procedures for removing epidermal cells from their wrist, students view the cells with the use of a microscope. After creating a drawing of their observation, students label the...
Curated OER
Drugged Out Daphnia
Students make predictions and investigate (using a microscope) the effects of nicotine, caffeine, aspirin, alcohol, and sleeping pills on cultures of fresh water Daphnia.
Curated OER
Mold Investigations
Students observe mold growth on bread. In this mold growth lesson, students place bread in various locations and in various conditions to investigate how location, moisture, temperature, and other variable impact the growth of mold on...
Curated OER
Cell Structure and Function
Students discuss scientific advances brought about by the Mars Surveyor Space Program which impact on daily life, identify laboratory apparatus like microscopes, slides and coverslips, and use the microscopes to view cells and organisms.
Curated OER
Properties of Salt
Students discuss certain properties of salt and how it is used every day as well as harmful uses. They experiment with salt to see it conduct electricity, form crystals and water freezing temperature. They complete a worksheet to record...
Curated OER
Naked to the Eye
Students understand that microorganisms are too small to see but there are other indications they exist. For this microorganisms lesson, students recognize that some microorganism are helpful and some are not. Students use a microscope...