Curated OER
Evolution worksheet
Looking at evolution in detail, this thorough worksheet has complex questions requiring details and explanations of natural selection and diversity. Various examples of biological characteristics are available, and students choose the...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Developing an Explanation for Mouse Fur Color
Whether or not you think mice are nice, you'll love the colorful activity! Scholars examine evidence for evolution in the rock pocket mouse through video, discussion, and collaborative work. Learners watch a video regarding variation in...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Seed Dispersal in Tropical Forests
How do seeds get around? It's not like plants can control seed dispersal—or can they? Dig deeper into the amazing mechanisms of seed dispersal observed in tropical plants through interactives, a video, and plenty of hands-on data...
Curated OER
Lizard Lab
In this detailed and comprehensive multi-day activity, budding evolutionary biologists use real data from lizard populations in the Canary Islands to examine evolution and natural selection.
Virginia Department of Education
Organisms in Symbiosis
Searching for an activity that allows emerging biologists to explore symbiosis up close and personal? Pupils collect samples and view lichens through a microscope and conclude with a discussion about the relationship they have...
Biology Junction
Population Genetics
Genetic variation shows the health of a population, yet cheetahs show very little variation over that last 10,000 years. Scholars learn the importance of genetic variation in populations after viewing an informative presentation. It...
Biology Junction
Evolution – Diversity of Life
Scientists noticed animals with backbones share similar bone structure despite having different forms, such as fins, arms, and wings. Young scientists gain an appreciation for evolution by understanding the history of the theory. They...
Serendip
The Ecology of Lyme Disease
Areas that previously included no risk of Lyme disease now have cases every year. Scholars learn about the spread of Lyme disease and the relationship with ecological succession. Then, they discuss possible solutions using the known food...
Curated OER
Evidence of Evolution by Natural Selection
Walk your junior biologists through the evidence that supports evolution. The fossil record, anatomical record, and molecular record are explained and supported by colorful graphs and pictures. Extensive notes are provided for some of...
Curated OER
Adaptation and Mimicry - Biology
Students compare and contrast adaptations involving camouflage, warning coloration, and mimicry. They explain the relationship between adaptation and ability for survival and reproduction. Students define Batesian and Mullerian mimicry...
Curated OER
The Methods of Biology
In this biology methods learning exercise, students will explore the scientific method, including creating a hypothesis and setting up an experiment. This learning exercise has 3 short answer questions, 5 matching questions, and 8 fill...
Curated OER
Explore Your Natural Habitat
Students identify habitats and understand why they are important to our environment. In this environmental lesson students design their own habitat, observe and record data on the impact their habitat has on the environment.
Curated OER
Galapagos - Discover the Diversity
Pretend you are exploring a newly discovered species of fish in the Galapagos. Your budding marine biologists access FishBase Database's list of marine/brackish fishes and choose one to research. The link through this website does not...
Curated OER
In your Science! - Merging Art and Science
Ninth graders reflect on what they have learned throughout the unit. In this Science lesson, 9th graders demonstrate how working together can produce an informative useful project.
Curated OER
Adaptation Worksheet
Adaptation or acclimation? Young ecologists determine which is being exemplified in twenty questions. When teaching about adaptations, make sure to talk about acclimation, a short-term learned response to a change in the surroundings....
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Contemplating Nature vs. Nurture
Does having an addict in your family make it more likely to become one yourself? Explore the genetic risk factors, as well as the prominent environmental influences, for substance addiction in a lesson that encourages awareness and open...
Curated OER
Changing Planet: Infectious Diseases Classroom Activity
Here is a different approach: emerging epidemiologists first go home to interview family on the topic of infectious disease. Then they come to class and view a video and PowerPoint that explore how climate change may increase the...
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
Cell Phone Use and Cancer
The cell phone you're using is making you deaf: news at 11:00. Oftentimes, the media uses fear tactics and other techniques to increase its audience base. In an intriguing look at the difference between scientific journals and...
Curated OER
Problem-Solving Methods in Biology
In this problem-solving activity, learners will read a biologist's observations about elephant communication. Students will write down what the biologist observed, what facts she knew about elephants, and her hypothesis. Learners will...
Curated OER
The Nature of Disease
In this disease worksheet, learners read information about infectious diseases, how they are transmitted, and how they are treated. Students then complete 6 fill in the blank questions.
Curated OER
Environmental Science/Water Pollution
Young scholars study natural habitats, aquatic life, renewable and non-renewable resources. They discuss conservation efforts for sea otters and desert toad in this units.
Curated OER
Camouflage and Protective Coloration: A Model of Natural Selection
Students collect data and compare whether protective coloration or camouflage provides better biological fitness in a given environment. They simulate predator prey interactions of two different species and use gene frequencies to...
Curated OER
Introduction to Biology
Students examine the principles of natural selection and explain how it is the basis of the theory of evolution. For this natural selection lesson students research the web on the theory of evolution.
Curated OER
Natural Selection in Action
Students demonstrate natural selection through a lab activity. In this biology lesson plan, students explain how natural selection leads to speciation. They complete their lab report and discuss results in class.