Curated OER
Microscope Mania
Students examine parts of a microscope and how to use a microscope at five lab stations. They identify parts of a microscope by describing the differences between low power and high power. They visit Internet sites (included in the...
Cornell University
Building a Compound Light Microscope
What better way to learn how to use a microscope than building your own? A lab investigation has scholars use lenses from magnifying glasses and sheets of cork to design their own compound microscopes. They calculate focal length...
Cornell University
Optical Simulation of a Transmission Electron Microscope
Don't have an electron microscope? Have your classes build the next best thing! A hands-on lesson asks scholars to build a model of Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). They then use their models to identify the function of each...
Curated OER
Mitosis and Cancer - Biology Teaching Thesis
Observe onion root cells undergoing mitosis underneath a light microscope and determine the phase of mitosis the cells are in. High schoolers draw a sketch of the mitotic cells, explore why cells undergo mitosis and learn how...
Curated OER
Introduction to Biology
Students examine a microscope and learn its functions. In this microscope lesson students prepare a wet mount slide and complete calculations.
Curated OER
The Microscopic World
Young scholars identify magnification by first using a magnifying glass and then with photos taken through a microscope. They complete a handout that leads them through each activity stated. Finally, students use their microscope to...
Curated OER
Human Evolution: Biology, Bones
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...
Curated OER
Biology: Understanding Cellular Organelles
Students distinguish the differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells. Using microscopes, they examine a variety of plant and animal cells. Working in groups, they draw and label plant and animal cells and show the mathematical...
Curated OER
Evidence of Photosynthesis
Hands on science is the way to go! Learners conduct a lab experiment to help them explain how plants make food through photosynthesis. They test for the presence of starch in leaves using iodine solution and identify the basic things...
Curated OER
Discovering Mitosis in Onion Roots
Students discover the different stages of mitosis by examining onion roots under a microscope, drawing diagrams of what they see, and organizing collected data in a chart and create a pie graph from their lab data.
Curated OER
Stomata: Microscopic Openings that Let Plants Breathe
Students participate in a lab experiment to observe and measure the opening and closing of stomata. They focus on photoperiod, locate and identify stomata on a leaf and explain the role of stomata in the daily functioning of a plant.
Teach Engineering
Kidney Stone Crystallization
No one likes kidney stones, but they are very interesting to learn about. The last installment of a three-part unit has learners experiment with different chemicals to see which one inhibits the growth of calcium oxalate crystals (which...
Curated OER
Hormone-Induced Plant Propagation Lab using Carrot Root Cultures
Students evaluate the importance of hormones in living things. For this biology lesson, students experiment on carrots to differentiate how humans and plants reproduce. They collect data from experiment to answer analysis questions.
Curated OER
Seeing Cells
Students discuss what comes to mind when they hear the term cell and discuss what a cell is in biological terms. They look at pictures of cells and color a picture of a cell diagram, writing the job of each part as they go. After the...
Curated OER
Just Because You Cannot See It... Doesn't Mean It's Not There
Young scholars discover bacteria which is around them by using agar over three days. For this biology lesson, students predict what they will see over the three days and then take photographs of what is actually shown. Finally, young...
Curated OER
Biological Sampling Device Using a Sea Perch
Young scholars construct plankton nets to be towed and collect specimens to be examined and analyzed in the classroom. They develop research skills through collection of an aquatic sample. They write lab reports after interpreting,...
Curated OER
Cell (Biology)
Students conduct a series of activities to explore the nature of cells. In this biology lesson, students observe plant and animal cells under the microscope and compare them. They differentiate osmosis and diffusion.
Curated OER
Seed Dispersion of Strawberries and Dandelions
Students investigate how seeds are dispersed on land. In this plant biology instructional activity, students use a dissecting microscope to study strawberry seeds and dandelion seeds, they draw what they see, then create a...
Curated OER
Plankton / Phytoplankton
High schoolers discuss the importance of plankton in the ocean ecosystem. For this biology lesson, students identify the different types plankton by observing them under the microscope. They explain how plankton population affect global...
Curated OER
The Great Archeological Dig
Students explore biology by identifying a diagram. In this cell anatomy lesson plan, students read a story about archeology and conduct a fictitious archeology dig in class in which they search for animal cells. Students define a list of...
Curated OER
Dissecting Frog Embryos: Cell Membranes and Mitosis
Students use high powered dissection microscopes to dissect and examine frog embryos as well as see balls of cells that were produced by rapid division. The concept of mitosis links to the lesson.
Curated OER
Cell Size and Shape; Diffusion and Osmosis Processes
Use salmon eggs as a cell model for demonstrating the movement of water over concentration gradients. Junior scientists examine the same process microscopically with an onion cell. They use a thistle tube and a semipermeable membrane to...
Curated OER
Biological Concepts
Students perform a transection of a redworm. They discuss spinal cord injuries in humans. Students compare the ability of the redworm to regenerate the ventral nerve cord with the inability of humans to repair damage to the dorsal nerve...
Curated OER
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...