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...

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...

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 worksheet on microbes. An exhaustive set of questions addresses the characteristics and reproduction of viruses, classification and uses of bacteria, and...

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...

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.

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...

Learn how bacteria defends the body in this student-made video. Middle schoolers simulate how bacteria works in our bodies.

In part two of the "Origin and Evolution of Life," our host looks to the hot geysers found in Yellowstone to show the type of environment primordial life may have evolved from. This leads to an explanation of how scientist Stanley Miller...

The presentations put together by Dr. Marjorie Anne Wallace are always quite good. This one is no exception! In it, learners enter the world of bacteria and living systems. This PowerPoint is meant to be used while lecturing the whole...

Compare and contrast eukaryotes, prokaryotes, and viruses with a chart and a Venn diagram. Beginning microbiologists consider motility, reproductive ability, DNA content, and the presence of organelles. They write short answers to...

Twelve questions summarize what your health or biology class has been learning about antibiotics. They expound on how antibiotics are produced and how they work. They detail some of the scientific history of these potent bacteria...

Fourth graders experiment with compost. In this Science lesson, 4th graders begin a worm compost as well as an outdoor compost. Students discuss decomposition.

Students conduct an experiment to examine the effects of six different antibiotics on two different types of bacteria. They monitor Petri dishes with bacterial cultures and antibiotic soaked disks. They relate the bacteria growth...

Students compare bacteria and viruses and their roles in biotechnology and bioterrorism. They outline fundamental steps of bacterial transformation and the possible selection processes to identify transformants. They discuss...

Students are able to name one kind of harmful bacteria and why it hurts us and also name one kind of helpful bacteria and how we use it. They describe the process of growing bacterial cultures in a lab. Students create a reasonable...

Students are introduced to bacteria and their role in biology and finishes with a lab experiment that focuses on antibiotics. They are given an overview of the important concepts involving bacteria and their potential resistance to...

High schoolers are able to list at 3 rules for operating in a laboratory and to explain why each is important. They are able to identify problems with laboratory scenarios presented by the teachers. Students execute a lab protocol using...

Students are able to define microbes and identify the five main groups of microbes. They are able to give examples of ways in which microbes have impacted or currently impact human life. Students are able to explain that not all microbes...