Curated OER
Yeast Cells and Their Environment
Middle schoolers create their own experiment in which they have yeast cells growing in liquid environments. They examine the relationship between humans and microorganisms. They also practice using the scientific method.
Curated OER
Evolution
Pupils research the theory of evolution and the controversy. In this evolution lesson students view a film on Charles Darwin then they write an essay about whether or not intelligent design should be taught in science class.
Curated OER
Hormone-Induced Plant Propagation Lab using Carrot Root Cultures
Students evaluate the importance of hormones in living things. In this biology lesson, students experiment on carrots to differentiate how humans and plants reproduce. They collect data from experiment to answer analysis questions.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
The Making of the Fittest: The Birth and Death of Genes
Adaptations must be made as environments change. This fabulous presentation features Icelandic icefish, a transparent, scaleless specimen that even has colorless blood. Genetics and adaptations concepts are explored as scientists study...
Teach Engineering
Complex Networks and Graphs
Show your class how engineers use graphs to understand large and complex systems. The resource provides the beginnings of graph theory by introducing the class to set theory, graphs, and degree distributions of a graph.
Curated OER
Extraction of DNA from White Onion
Students conduct lab test with minced onion to determine where chromosonal DNA is located within the cell, and whether or not it can be extracted.
Curated OER
Creative Ways To Teach Evolutionary Concepts
Young scholars explore evolutionary concepts in cartoons and lab activities. They describe and explain evolutionary concepts featured in a cartoon and participate in laboratory activities.
Curated OER
But, Why Sex?
Students investigate the importance of sexual reproduction in evolution. In this sexual reproduction lesson plan, students simulate species with two traits: eye and skin color. They determine what characteristics are beneficial for the...
Curated OER
Transformation With A Firefly Gene
Students understand the process of bacterial transformation through experimentation. They describe the function of two important genes of the pBestLuc plasmid. They explain how to induce competence in E. coli cells.
Curated OER
Comparison of Human and Chimpanzee Chromosomes
Students actively engage in the careful analysis of chromosome banding patterns and identify examples of inversion in homologous chromosomes.
Curated OER
Hazard Mitigation: Bioterrorism
Students discuss different ways to spread infectious diseases. In this bioterrorism lesson, students model the rate of smoke emission using CalRoad software. They analyze the effects of airborne release of biological...
Curated OER
Feed Me, Seymour
Students work in small groups to create posters illustrating the major facts and functions of plant organs. Within their groups, they assume the role of specialists creating specialized posters pertaining to the different parts of plants.
Curated OER
Things Living in a Pond
Ninth graders observe, compare, and classify various microorganisms using a microscope. They answer discussion questions, and record their observations on a chart.
Curated OER
Virus Tracker
Sixth graders will simulate the spread of a virus such as HIV through a population by "sharing" (but not drinking) the water in a plastic cup with several classmates. Although invisible, the water in a few of the cups will already be...
Curated OER
Studying Living Organisms
High schoolers 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.
Curated OER
Where Do I Belong?
Tenth graders study the diversity of life in the world. They classify and sketch organisms into the 6 kingdoms.
Curated OER
Dogs & Darwin
Ninth graders construct and conduct a laboratory experiment illustrating the transfer of mutations. They compare and contrast natural selection in organisms with long and short reproductive cycles.
Curated OER
Studying Living Organisms
Students discover and discuss the differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Using a microscope, they examine various prepared slides of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.