Curated OER
Let's Grow Some Microbes!
Students investigate the effect that sterile and non-sterile environments have on growth of microbes. In this biology lesson plan, students observe the appearance of sample test tubes for 7 days. They explain why some test tubes'...
Curated OER
A STEP IN SPECIATION
Students place different subspecies of a CA salamander are placed on grid map of CA according to where samples were collected. Then discuss patterns of their distribution, their likely evolutionary relationships, and probable sequence of...
Curated OER
Mosquito Bytes
Students investigate mosquitoes. In this mosquito bytes lesson, students consider reasons why mosquitoes transfer disease and ways to combat them. Students read an article, discuss, and complete a quiz.
Curated OER
How Do We Use Scientific Inquiry To Solve the World's Problems?
Ninth graders examine how a scientific investigation is performed. They read and discuss examples of various scientific experiments, design an experiment involving fast growing plants, and create graphs and charts to present their...
Curated OER
Forest Fun
Learners explore orienteering and how to use a compass. They explore the importance of forests and identify some of the trees in a local forest.
Serendip
A Scientific Investigation – What Types of Food Contain Starch and Protein?
You are what you eat, as they say! Are you more starch or more protein? Young scholars use their knowledge of each component to test different foods for their content. Using multiple indicators, individuals describe the protein and...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
The Molecular Evolution of Gene Birth and Death
An upper-level biology activity, the comprehensive worksheet found here accompanies a PowerPoint and the video The Making of the Fittest: The Birth and Death of Genes, both of which are linked to through the website. Depending on the...
Curated OER
Your Body's Defenses When Microbes Attack
Students study how being exposed to a harmful microbe doesn't automatically make them ill. They discover the lines of defense against microbe invaders and explore the roles of skin and mucus membranes, white blood cells, and lymphocytes...
Curated OER
When Microbes Attack
Students study how the body defends itself against the invasion of harmful microbes and how certain types of drugs can provide assistance. They design and execute their own experiments to test whether increasing the number of types of...
Curated OER
Bioethics
Students are introduced to the issues surrounding bioethics and begin to discover how some of these values can influence decision making. The exciting part of this lesson is the constructivist method used to engage students of all...
Curated OER
Pets: Oh Behave
They say that a dog is a man's best friend. Why is that? Discuss with your class why people like pets and the responsibilities with owning one. They read an article about pet behavior and write a short essay comparing one of their...
Curated OER
The Four-Color Problem: Concept and Solution
Take a walk through time, 1852 to 1994, following the mathematical history and development of the Four-Color Theorem. Learners take on the role of cartographers to study an imaginary world of countries that need to be mapped. One rule:...
Curated OER
How Diverse is That?
After reviewing biodiversity, learners work in small groups to analyze actual species distribution data. They learn to calculate the Shannon-Weaver diversity index for different communities. Though not particularly engaging, the content...
Curated OER
All About Seeds!
First graders learn all about seeds. For this biology lesson, 1st graders discover: what a fruit is, what is inside of seeds, and how seeds are transported.
Curated OER
Studying Species By Examining the Evolution of the Canidae Family
Pupils read an article on the characteristics of wolves and dogs then complete a phylogenetic tree of the canid family. They then write an essay justifying why or why not wolves and dogs should be classified as different species.
Curated OER
Studying Species by Examining the Evolution of the Canidae Family
Students examine the definition of species. Students complete a phylogentic tree of the Canidae family. They write an essay justifying why or why not wolves and dogs should be classified as different species.
Curated OER
Evolution: Is It Fact and/or Theory?
Students explore the concepts of evolution. In this biology activity, students read articles from the internet. They discuss the article within the group and answer their handouts.
Curated OER
An Introduction to Fetel Tissue Transplantation
Students explore fetal tissue transplantation. They research basic factual information and justify their opinions. They write a paper discussing their position. Students consider the consequences and values associated with their...
Curated OER
The Secrets of the Sequence
High schoolers explore genetics using a series of selected videos. In this biology lesson series, students study the different advances in life sciences. They research the pros and cons of genetic research.
Curated OER
Legal Aspects of Tissue
Students research their role and develop a group position on the appropriate use of fetal tissue transplantation. They engage in role play discussion focused on the case study.
Curated OER
Wet 'n Wild Watershed
Students engage in a discussion on watershed management. In this ecology lesson, students consider the role of forests in water quality. Students incorporate lecture material into a class room discussion and questions on water shed...
Curated OER
Bird Flu: the Next Pandemic?
Students discuss what they know about bird flu and check the accuracy of their facts using primary sources related to the topics and classroom discussion activities. They create projects that illustrate what they have learned about...
Curated OER
SeaWorld: Education, Entertainment, or Exploitation?
Students discuss SeaWorld, research marine animal biology, investigate one animal currently collected by SeaWorld, and decide whether they oppose or support SeaWorld's collection policy. Students then gather information relating to...
Curated OER
Pesticides and Eggshell Thinning.
Students analyze the calcium content of egg shells as an introduction to the toxic effects of pesticides on biological systems.