Curated OER
Using Cytochrome-C to Explore Evolutionary Relationships
Students analyze protein sequences. In this instructional activity on determining evolutionary relationships, students use the Internet tools BLAST and Biology Workbench to look at protein sequences. Students will compose an essay that...
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The Scientific Method, Blood Typing, and Antibiotic Resistance
Students are given some components of an experiment, where they are able to identify and fill in missing parts, such as hypothesis, conclusion, results, etc. They form a hypothesis given general scientific facts. Students apply the...
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Investigating Properties of Water: Temperature
Investigate how temperature affects the density of water and stratification that occurs in bodies of water when temperatures vary. Water of differing temperatures is given different colors to see the layers that form. The lesson is meant...
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Termite Lab
Students examine insect behavior in a lab activity. Students explore the idea of chemical specificity and the reactions of termites to a chemical found in their trail pheromone. Students watch a demonstration with termites before...
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DNA Detectives
In order to understand DNA fingerprinting, advanced biology aces divise a crime scenario and analyze three different samples of lambda DNA. This creative lesson plan provides practice with micropipettes, electrophoresis boxes, and other...
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The Good and Bad Bacteria
High schoolers are able to name one kind of harmful bacteria and why it hurts us and also name one kind of helpful bacteria and how we use it. They describe the process of growing bacterial cultures in a lab. Students create a reasonable...
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Bacterial Transformation: Laboratory Experiment
Young scholars participate in a group lab in which they complete the process of bacterial transformation. If lab procedures are followed correctly, Students see their results in a few days...bacteria glowing green.
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Investigating the Effect of Minerals on Plant Growth
How do different minerals affect the growth of plants? Budding botanists find out in a multi-week experiment that has them using solutions with specific mineral deficiencies. While there is a lot of preparation for the investigation,...
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Antibiotic Resistance
Students conduct an experiment to examine the effects of six different antibiotics on two different types of bacteria. They monitor Petri dishes with bacterial cultures and antibiotic soaked disks. They relate the bacteria growth...
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Dinosaur and DNA Days
Biology stars extract DNA samples from beef thymus and then examine its properties. They use enzymes to digest the DNA samples, and then use electrophoresis to separate fragments. Finally, they discuss methods and principles of...
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DNA Fingerprinting
Students study the process of DNA Fingerprinting and how DNA Fingerprinting is used in solving crimes. They examine a crime scenario that involves collecting DNA Fingerprinting information from blood collected at the crime scene. They...
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LP 6--8: Xenopus laevis (frog) Development for a 7th Grade Audience
Seventh graders view lab stations with Xenopus at different stages of development. They identify the life stage of the sample, as well as the previous and next stages. Students must explain their reason for selecting the specific stage.
Cornell University
Renewable Resins and Composites
Merge chemistry with environmental science to study biodegradable materials. An engaging activity allows learners to experiment with different resin concentrations and composites. Through experimental tests, scholars test their creations...
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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...
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Water Quality and Watersheds: A GIS Investigation
Requiring more than one class period, this resource takes earth science learners on a journey through a watershed. Using ArcGIS Explorer, an online geographic information system, they view maps of watersheds and surrounding landscapes....
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Investigating What Makes Fruit Go Brown
Is there anything that can be done to slow the browning of fruit once it has been cut? High schoolers determine the answer through five different investigations involving apples, potatoes, and chemical reactions. After each experiment,...
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Elastic Recoil in Arteries and Veins
A lab in which high schoolers examine the difference between arteries and veins. Budding biologists will find out which blood vessel can stretch furthest, recording their data in a table then answering several questions evaluating their...
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Elodea Lab
Young scholars observe the changes between elodea leaves placed in darkness and light. For this life science lesson, students experiment to find evidence of photosynthesis in elodea leaves. Young scholars use indicators to detect the...
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Nature of Science and Ecology
Learners identify the different biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem. In this ecology lesson, students perform a case study on current environmental problems. They write a position statement about their chosen topic and share it...
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Wildlife Sampling-Capture-Recapture
Seventh graders simulate the capture-recapture method of population sampling using beans. In this biology instructional activity, 7th graders calculate the total population of beans in the bowl. They assess whether this method is...
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Fungi
Students examine the characteristics of fungi. In this biology lesson, students investigate the factors needed for fungi growth. They collect data and observations and write a report about them.
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Anatomy of the Heart
Tenth graders examine the different parts of the heart. In this biology lesson plan, 10th graders perform dissection of the fetal pig. They explain how the heart maintains homeostasis.
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Biotechnology
Students explore biotechnology through various activities. For this biology lesson, students analyze its pros and cons. They study and read informative articles about biotechnology.
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Polymerization Experiments
Students explain the process of polymerization. In this chemistry lesson, students produce carboxylesterase in the lab. They test its effectiveness in removing the by-product odor.