University of Minnesota
Connect the Neurons!
Create a neuron frenzy as your pupils play the part of the neurons. An engaging lesson creates a human chain of neurons that pass cotton balls posing as neurotransmitters. Scholars learn about pre- and post-synapses as they complete the...
Serendip
Understanding the Biology of Cancer
After initial exposure to a carcinogen, a cancer diagnosis often takes more than a decade due to the slow buildup of mutated cells in the body. Scholars learn about the biology of cancer with a worksheet and discussion questions. They...
Curated OER
Human Genetic Diseases
Although there are a few missing titles in this collection of slides, if your class has prior knowledge of genetic diseases then this resource could be useful. The mechanism of genetic inheritance are covered and both flow charts and...
Curated OER
Biology: Make a Model Cell
Students compare and contrast plant and animal cells and then create a model of the latter. They visit Websites to view the cells and answer questions about them. In pairs, students create cell models using plastic baggies, syrup,...
Curated OER
Plasmolysis in Elodea Plant Cells
Pupils microscopically observe various subcellular components. They determine the effects of different salt solutions on Elodea plant cells. Students explain the major function of a cell membrane and describe its structure.
Curated OER
Levels of Organization
Students read and complete a worksheet about the levels of organization of living things from cells to organ systems. They use a text book and the "Cells R Us" worksheet included to create a metaphor for each of the levels. They then...
Curated OER
Reproduction and Heredity
Eighth graders study the importance of cell division, compare cell division in prokaryotic and eucaryotic cells, identify the stages of mitosis and recognize meiosis in reproductive cells.
Curated OER
Microscopes
Young scholars investigate how microscopes are used. They identify ways microscopes are used to see cells and in various careers. They complete activities involving creating a vocabulary book, crossword puzzles, designing posters, and...
Curated OER
Cell-a-bration
Fifth graders study the structures of a plant cell and animal cell. They create a graphic organizer and a food model. Finally, they write an essay comparing and contrasting plant and animal cells.
Curated OER
Unit on Developing a Basic Understanding of Plants
Fifth graders study the parts of a plant, their life cycles, and how to care for them in this unit.
Curated OER
The Great Archeological Dig
Students explore biology by identifying a diagram. In 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. Students define a list of...
Biology Junction
Fungi Coloring Worksheet
For this biology instructional activity, students complete 28 short answer questions on fungi. They color and label the different parts of a hyphae.
Curated OER
Plant Structure and Growth
This plant structure and function PowerPoint addresses the main organs and the factors that affect its development as well as going into detail about the specializations at a cellular level. The cell functions and system adaptations...
US National Library of Medicine
Basic Genetic Concepts and Terms
Have you ever wondered why you aren't taller or invisible? It all comes down to your dominant and recessive genes. Introduce your class members to genetics with a presentation that includes worksheets for young geneticists to complete...
Curated OER
Solar Kit Lesson #7 - Positioning Solar Panels I: Explorations with Tracking
In this first part of a two-part lesson, learners track and record the sun's azimuth using a solar panel. They graph and analyze the data to identify relationships among the time of day, the altitude and azimuth of the sun, and the...
Curated OER
Honey Bee Biology
Students review the basic parts of an insect and explore the anatomical characteristics of a honey bee. The second part of the lesson focuses on ways to identify a honey bee from other stinging insects.
Curated OER
Circulatory System
The ciculatory system is introduced here by means of clear, labelled diagrams and charts with details. After learning the basics of the heart strucure, a sequence of slides help show the flow the blood as the heart muscle contracts. A...
LABScI
Botany: The Plant Dissection Lab
Study everything about plants! The 12-part series of lessons continues with an examination of many aspects of plants. Components of the laboratory activity address the growth and structure of plants by evaluating familiar plants. The...
Space Awareness
Coma Cluster of Galaxies
Scientists classify everything from the smallest cells to the largest galaxies, but how do they decide on a classification system? Scholars use 40 pictures of galaxies taken by the Hubble Space Telescope to sort and try creating their...
Teach Engineering
Pointing at Maximum Power for PV
Following detailed directions, teams collect the voltage and current outputs of a photovoltaic cell by adjusting the resistance. Using the collected data, they determine the highest power output. Implications for weather and a large...
Curated OER
Viruses, Bacteria, Protists, and Fungi
In this viruses, bacteria, protists, and fungi learning exercise, students will review the basic characteristics of each of these groups. Students will complete 7 fill in the blank questions about viruses, 6 true or false questions about...
Curated OER
Organelles
Students explore the functions of major eukaryotic organelles. They compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Given diagrams and drawings, students take turns drawing structures, discussing their function, and labeling...
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
Bad Fish, Bad Bird
In an advanced biology lesson, learners see a PowerPoint about biologist Dr. Westwood, a two-time victim of poisoning. Designed to be used with clickers in the classroom, you could modify the lesson by creating a worksheet from the...
Curated OER
DNA Structure and Extraction
Students see DNA as a physical building block of organisms and comprehend the basic structure of DNA and the specific components in its structure. They can explain the specific nature of base-pair matching in DNA and that DNA bases form...