Curated OER
What Are Cells?
Energize the cells of young biologists with an edible life science activity. Engaging students in exploring the inner workings of plant and animal cells, this activity involves using colored jello and various sweet and tasty treats to...
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Bacteria Aren't All Bad!
Teaching students about the diversity of the Bacteria Kingdoms and their importance to humans
Curated OER
Brain Watching
Students identify the different parts of the nervous system. In this biology lesson, students research methods to diagnose and cure neurological disorders. They present their report to class.
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Somatic Cell Division
In this cell division worksheet, students review the steps involved in a human somatic cell, from interphase to mitosis, to cytokinesis. This worksheet has 21 fill in the blank statements.
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Cells and Cancer
Students idenitfy that cancer is a growth of mutated cells and that cancer cells are only one type of cell that causes disease in our body. They also identify that all eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus, cytoskeleton, and a cell...
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Biology: Creative Cells
Students use various snacks to make large models of human cells. Items such as gumballs, gummy worms, and jelly beans represent the nucleus, golgi bodies, and mitochondria. As each piece of candy is added, the teacher explains what it...
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Building a Model DNA
Students explain the function of DNA in the body. In this biology lesson plan, students build a DNA model using simple materials. They demonstrate how bases pair up in the helix.
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Coordination
Multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, and matching questions are all here in a multi-page learning exercise or quiz. While the formatting leaves a little to be desired, it would take just a few minutes to change the handout...
American Museum of Natural History
Microbes Coloring Book and Scavenger Hunt
Coloring pages showcase microbes—bacteria, viruses, and protists. Scholars have the option to download a coloring book and scavenger hunt or color the page directly on the computer. Three paragraphs describe each microbe.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Central Dogma and Genetic Medicine
Scientists work every day to find solutions to genetic diseases. Scholars learn about the process of gene sequencing, mutations, and the results. They explore genetic diseases and therapies to intervene and help and, through case...
Curated OER
Extracting DNA from Your Cells
Three steps are needed to extract DNA from learners' inner cheek cells. The procedure and reasons for each step are explained. As enzymes work on the cells, a series of questions are answered regarding the structure of the DNA molecule....
Curated OER
Hazards: Second Grade Lesson Plans and Activities
Equip learners with safety knowledge in the case of an earthquake. After coloring the places to go to get help after a quake, and label places that wouldn't be safe to go after a quake, young geologists simulate three levels of...
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Basic Genetics
Ninth graders discover where their physical appearance and personality traits come from. In this genetics lesson, 9th graders learn about cells, chromosomes, DNA and genes. Students discover where genes come from as well as dominant and...
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Designer Genes
Learners view a video on DNA. They discuss mitosis, meiosis and fertilization. They use strips of paper to simulate fertilization and analyze the genotype and phenotype of the combined chromosomes.
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Born of Blood
Eighth graders use a large Punnett Square and infer how genes determine blood types. In this blood type lesson students predict blood types and demonstrate how Punnett Squares are related to genes and chromosomes.
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Extract Your Own DNA from Cheek Cells
Young scholars observe their own DNA. In this DNA lesson, students learn the simple method of DNA extraction and explain why DNA extraction is important to scientists.
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Strawberry DNA extraction
Young scholars study the basic function of DNA and then extract it from strawberries. For this DNA extraction lesson students examine DNA and see why the extraction of it is so important to scientists.
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Seeing the Cell as a System
Students explain how the components of a cell operate as a system. Students examine a bicycle and find out if parts were arranged differently, could the system still be carried out. They look at cells as well and see what function they...
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Extremophiles- Non-Fiction Reading Comprehension
In this extremophiles non-fiction reading learning exercise, students read a two page selection that describes the organisms known as extremophiles. They answer 10 questions based on the selection which include true or false, short...
Curated OER
DNA Blueprint for Life
Did you know that meat tenderizers contain DNA cutting enzimes? Did you know that you can isolate your own DNA? Or the DNA of fruit? Explore with your learners the DNA world with a series of experiments using readily available materials...
Curated OER
You...Instead of the Onion Skin
Learners observe their own epithelial cells from the inside linings of their cheeks using DigiScope technology. They prepare a slide with both onion cells and epithelial cells and make an illustrated booklet for a PowerPoint presentation...
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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.
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Chemistry of Food
In this chemistry of food learning exercise, students complete 20 various types of questions related to food and nutrition. First, they complete a crossword puzzle with vocabulary terms. Then, students use the figure shown to write the...
Curated OER
Lesson 5: Untangling DNA
Young scholars extract DNA from split peas. In this biology instructional activity, students research how chromatin form into chromosomes. They draw the stages and present their work in class.