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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Variations in Living Things

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Biology beginners observe traits in a collection of plant parts to realize the tremendous amount of genetic variation within a species. They consider rules of nature and discuss what would happen if they changed. They also examine data...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biology: New Trials & Findings

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars use background knowledge to summarize articles about skin cancer research and present them to the class and place their studies along a clinical study timeline. They are introduced to clincal trails and to various aspects...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nature, Red in Tooth and Claw

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the science and art of taxidermy, and research various biomes that could be depicted in museum displays. They synthesize their knowledge by creating dioramas that depict the diverse life forms typical of these biomes.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Legendary Raptors

For Teachers 9th - 12th
How are raptors and airplanes alike? Combine science and language arts in this fun and interactive project. Young scientists research the animal in order to design their own aircraft, and compete in a contest for farthest, fastest, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cycles and Starting Mealworms

For Teachers 4th
Here is a fascinating lesson about the life cycles of plants and animals, and other cycles found in nature. Learners explore the cycle of the moon, the tides, and other sequences of events in every day life. The big activity is the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Human Evolution: Biology, Bones

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Learners will love a weeks worth of bone study. They use bones and characteristics of bones to explore the evolution of hominoids. Bones are compared, categorized, and considered. A great way to bring physical anthropology and material...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

The Evidence for Evolution

For Students 9th - 12th
Summarize a unit on evolutionary evidence. Learners recount information about the fossil record, molecular record, homologous structures, convergent evolution. This worksheet provides plenty of room for high schoolers to write out...
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Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Patterns in the Distribution of Lactase Persistence

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
We all drink milk as babies, so why can't we all drink it as adults? Examine the trend in lactase production on the world-wide scale as science scholars analyze and interpret data. Groups create pie charts from the data, place them on a...
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Worksheet
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Zombie Ants

For Students 8th - 10th
One of the creepiest and coolest natural occurrences is a great forum for data analysis and discussion! Explore the phenomenon of zombie ants, or ants infected with the Cordyceps fungus, with a series of activities and experiments....
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Activity
It's About Time

Succession in Communities

For Teachers 7th - 12th
What occurs following a natural disaster? High schoolers research this question and others as they investigate natural succession after a disaster. First, as they differentiate between primary and secondary succession, they explain...
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Handout
National Institute of Open Schooling

Environmental Concerns

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Every year, more than 14 billion pounds of garbage is dumped into the oceans of the world, most of which is plastic and toxic to ocean life. Lesson 32 in the series of 36 focuses on environmental concerns, specifically pollution. Under...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Creation of an Imaginary Species

For Teachers 3rd - 9th
Students explore the characteristics that distinguish different forms of animal life on Earth which are the results of natural selection and adaptations to their environment. The creatures are created using a game and then drawn by the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Beaks of the Finches

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students become birds and are given "beak-types". After completing the simulation, students relate results to adaptations and natural selection. Extensions of the simulation allow for comparative results and include population genetics.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lamarck And Darwin

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare Lamarck's mechanism for evolution with Darwin's theory of natural selection.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evolution of the Virus: Teaching Macroevolution Through Microevolution

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars describe the anatomy of a virus. In this biology lesson, students compare and contrast the characteristics of bacteria and viruses. They discover the genetic adaptations of viruses over time.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nature Superfish

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners study the behavior or ocean animals called  billfish. In this life science lesson, students create their own documentary about a local animal. They share their videos with the entire school.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spork and Beans

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine natural selection, how it works and how it can cause microevolution.  In this evolution activity students complete a lab activity that shows the effects that natural selection has on organisms.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Not Just a Bag of Beans

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners determine the types of natural selection and variation that exists in a population, using beans.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Natural Selection Foldable

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Young scholars examine and identify examples of species that developed as a result of immigration, genetic drift, and adaptive radiation. They conduct Internet research and define key vocabulary terms, and use their species example on...
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Lesson Plan
NOAA

Watch the Screen!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Can a sponge cure cancer? Life science pupils visit the drugstore under the sea in the fifth lesson of six. Working groups research the topic then get hands-on experience by testing the inhibiting effects of several plant extracts...
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Lesson Plan
Towson University

Mystery Disease

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How did scientists determine the cause of illness before technology? Science scholars play the role of medical researcher in an engaging guided inquiry activity. Using observations, technical reading, and Punnett squares, learners...
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Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Viruses

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Germs, parasites, and viruses, oh my! Facilitate a lesson on viruses as individuals explore functions of Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya. They learn how viruses compare with other organisms in nature and how they contribute to health...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Natural Resource Management Course Outline

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Gain skills in ecosystem evaluation including chemical, biological, and physical qualities. Students write a report on a local ecosystem.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Natural Inquirer Ecosystem Article Lesson

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students discover new ways to preserve the ecosystem by completing graphic organizers.  In this environmental lesson, students read an article from the Natural Inquirer in small groups and fill out a graphic organizer based on the...