When life gives you mold, make penicillin. Scholars design an inquiry experiment to determine what causes rotting and mold growth. It also covers decomposers and the important role they play for other living things. 

Humans are like planets, hosting a plethora of microbial communities. This concept is explored with vivid narration and animation, bringing to light the benefits of the huge variety of microbes that live in and on our bodies. What a fun...

Small groups of life science learners look at Allison's symptoms and discuss a diagnosis. They use a chart of illnesses and draw symptom clues from an envelope to determine what illness she has. A lesson plan like this gives children an...

Following directions from a colorful slide preparation card, beginning biologists examine three different live microorganisms: bacteria, yeast, and paramecia. This is not an unusual activity to do with your class, but if you are doing it...

Here is an unusual comparison: the swimming conditions of a sperm cell and a sperm whale. Introduce your physics class to the Reynolds number by sharing this video comparison during your fluid mechanics unit. Afterward, teach them to...

The differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are explained and the parts of each are highlighted. Discover the major organelles found in an animal cell and each of their functions. Paul Andersen does an excellent job once...

Marshall Brain uses a sponge, rope, and other common household items to display the workings of the digestive system. This resource would definitely hold the attention of a squirrely junior high class!

There's no need for bacteria hysteria! With this flashy, gourmet-cooking-show-style video, young bacteriologists find that there are tremendous amounts of microbes in different foods that we eat and inside our bodies. Kitchen instruction...

There is an important distinction between the bacteria that most students recognize as having a negative impact, and those that live in a symbiotic relationship with us. Sal looks at the mechanisms by which bacteria accumulate variation...

AP biology and college microbiology classes benefit by completing this seven-page activity on microbes. An exhaustive set of questions addresses the characteristics and reproduction of viruses, classification and uses of bacteria, and...

Young biologists discover there are three main types of bacteria: rod-shaped, round, and spiral. This activity has them find a picture of each kind, then draw their own version. They must also label the basic structure of bacteria by...

Don't just use this as an extra credit assignment! The two scenarios on this handout give microbiology hopefuls an opportunity to practice critical-thinking skills. They apply their knowledge of cellular respiration and the products of...

This exam touches upon every topic within the typical first year biology course.. A broad variety of question styles give high schoolers every opportunity to show what they know. Why start from scratch when a comprehensive final exam is...

Engage young biologists with four laboratory activities that explore the fossil record. Learners examine fossil images, a fossil kit, the rock record, and geologic time scale. They even experiment with the oxygen production of an Elodea...

With flu a topic on everyone's minds, this PowerPoint on viruses and bacteria is sure to pique students' interest. This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of viruses, bacteria and vaccines in an easy to understand format. It...

Harness the power of bacteria. Scholars see how using organisms that exist in nature can help solve human problems in the process known as bioremediation. They research and discuss several successful examples, such as using oil-eating...

Pathogens, what they are, how they spread, and how to prevent them from spreading are the focus of this resource that can be used to prepare learners for a performance task assessment or to begin the study of communicable diseases.

Risk-taking behavior and other decision-making factors may be influenced by more than just our brains; current research shows that the more bacteria that exists in one's digestive tract, the less inclined one might be to engage in risky...

Winogradsky columns are ideal for observing the role of bacteria and other microorganisms in an ecosystem. This student activity guide is complete with data tables for observations and analysis questions for processing what was observed....

Mini microbiologists play a card game in which they group microorganisms by groups: virus, fungus, protist, or bacteria. Then they identify the roles different microbes play in the natural world and explore how humans effectively use...

Totally gross out your class with the eighth lesson in this series on food science. Explore the microscopic world of bacteria by taking swabs of different classroom objects and growing colonies in petri dishes. An engaging activity that...

Mr. Spangler's sons set out to prove that double-dipping (putting a potato chip back into a dip for a second blob on the chip), does indeed rapidly spread germs throughout the entire dip. After viewing this presentation, the next time...

Look here for a narrative approach to cells origins and discovery by microscopes. Though it is a slightly older clip, it contains some lovely footage of cells up close. Begin with prokaryotes and move onto eukaryotes and the differences...

Mr. Spangler's sons set out to prove that double-dipping (putting a potato chip back into a dip for a second blob on the chip), does indeed rapidly spread germs throughout the entire dip. After viewing this presentation, the next time...