Nuffield Foundation
Microscale Investigations of Catalase Activity in Plant Extracts
Use indirect measurements to monitor metabolic activity in plant cells. Scholars understand that cells with a higher metabolic rate have a higher concentration of catalase enzyme. They use this information to compare metabolic rates of...
Cornell University
Plant Cell Crime Scene
Use science to solve the mystery of the Poplar murder. Pupils use forensic botany to determine if a suspect could be the killer. By analyzing images from a Transmission Electron Microscope, learners determine if the material found on the...
Curated OER
Plant Part Exploration: Stems
Explore water transport in plant stems using this fun experiment! Your scientists will start by reading Stems by Vijaya Bodach. Then, activate prior knowledge about plant stem functions and water transportation. Demonstrate this concept...
Curated OER
The Sugar Snap Pea Experiment
Students examine types of plant structure. In this plant biology lesson, students observe various types of plants, such as ivy and grapes, and discuss the differences in structure. Additionally, students plant sugar snap peas, using a...
Nuffield Foundation
Interpreting an Investigation of Plant Hormones
How important is the tip of a new shoot on a growing plant? Individuals learn about the results of experiments on shoot tips and must interpret them. They apply previous learning and connect complex ideas through advanced analysis.
Curated OER
Parts of a Plant
Students identify the parts of a plant and their functions. In this plant biology lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation on plants and their parts and discuss the functions of each part. Students observe a real plant and...
Curated OER
Understanding Science Vocabulary and Categorization
Students analyze scientific vocabulary words. In this life science vocabulary lesson plan, students complete a worksheet using VisualThesaurus as they evaluate words related to plants and animals and how the words are used.
Curated OER
Plant Nutrition and Nutrients
Students observe seeds growth and examine the different parts of the seedling. In this biology lesson, students compare the growth of seeds planted in soil and in hydroponics. They record their observations in their science journal and...
Curated OER
Plant Dissection
Students study plant parts and their functions in a dissection activity. In this plant dissection instructional activity, students use several handouts to help them learn parts of the plant and their functions. Students then dissect...
Curated OER
Watch Me Grow
Students observe that plants need air, food, light, and water to survive. In this plant biology instructional activity, students observe the growth and development of two plants, one is the control plant and the other is denied either...
Curated OER
Understanding Science Vocabulary And Categorization
Students explore and examine scientific language and categorization as related to commonly known plants and animals. They hypothesize about a specific plant or animal, how it was scientifically named, what concepts and vocabulary is...
Curated OER
The Great Archeological Dig
Learners explore biology by identifying a diagram. For this cell anatomy lesson, students read a story about archeology and conduct a fictitious archeology dig in class in which they search for animal cells. Learners define a list of...
Community Resources for Science
A Whole New World of DNA and Proteins
Lead your young scientists into an exciting world as they participate in a role play and experiment focused on proteins and DNA. After researching the Central Dogma of Biology, individuals or groups participate in a classroom slide...
Curated OER
Birth of a Plant From a Seed
Students sow seeds of learning. In this biology lesson plan, students label parts of a dicotyledon seed by function as well as by proper names.
Curated OER
Understanding and Using Root Words to Expand Vocabulary
Middle schoolers engage in a lesson which reminds them that root words indicate the base meaning of a word, and that those roots are found in many different words that have similar meanings. Pairs of pupils use construction paper and...
Curated OER
What Does Plant Biology Teach Is About Climate?
Students examine what factors influence climate. In this investigative instructional activity students compare the factors that influence climate and how they effect tree growth.
Cornell University
Extracting DNA
Uncover the basics of DNA structure through exploration activities. Collaborative groups build DNA models and recreate the process of replication. Then, using plant cells such as peas or strawberries, they extract a DNA sample.
Curated OER
Invent an Insect
Explore biology by researching adaptation. First, learners research and define a list of insect vocabulary terms and discuss the benefits of each insect characteristic. They then utilize a worksheet to create their own insect and share...
Virginia Department of Education
The Cell Cycle and Mitosis
What a packed lesson! Provide your class with the opportunity to learn about the cell cycle in several exciting ways. Biologists first learn about the theory behind mitosis, then proceed to view onion tips under the microscope and create...
Curated OER
Root, Root, Root for the Nutrients
Students observe the growth of a seed, predict what will happen when seeds are planted without soil, and conduct an experiment using a hydroponics system.
Curated OER
Why Plants Are Green
Students discover the properties of chlorophyll in plants. In this plant biology lesson, students conduct an experiment to find where the chlorophyll in the plant is located. Students are split into small groups and study plant parts....
Curated OER
Parts of a Tree
Learners identify four parts of trees. In this plant biology lesson, students read the book Trees and conduct Internet research to identify the parts of the tree. Learners take notes from each website and complete an included worksheet.
Curated OER
Introduction to Ocean Grazers
Learners explore biology by creating a poster with classmates. In this oceanography lesson, students identify the importance of coral reefs to the ocean's ecology and examine a food web of ocean animals. Learners define a list of...
Curated OER
We’ve Bean Growing: Anatomy of Germination
Students identify the main parts of a seed. In this biology instructional activity, students explain the factors needed for the seed to grow. They record observations everyday and report findings to class.