Curated OER
Getting to the Point
Learners determine location by using the technique of triangulation. They imagine that they are out in the wilderness and have come to the top of a ridge. How can one identify the ridge on the topo map? How can one figure out where you...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Animal Classes and Their Ecosystems
Young scholars explore animal characteristics by participating in an environment identification activity. In this animal habitat lesson, students discuss a range of different wild life and the ecosystems that they are a part of. Young...
Curated OER
Tower Investigation and the Egg
Young scholars build three types of towers, engineering them to hold an egg one foot high for 15 seconds. They discover that engineering designs are subject to constraints such as time, money and size specifications. In this activity...
Curated OER
Endocrine Excitement!
Students are divided into a group of hormones and a group of receptors. The hormones have to find their matching receptors, and the pair, once matched, perform a given action. This activity helps students examine the specificity of...
Curated OER
Biology Honors Final Project
Tenth graders work on a project about cellular biology and genetics. In this biology instructional activity, 10th graders research about the assigned human body system and genetic disorders that affect it. They create a multimedia...
Virginia Department of Education
Body Systems
The human body is an amazing thing! Explore the body with your high school class as they investigate each system in detail. They learn components of each organ system and disease processes that can negatively affect general health and...
American Museum of Natural History
Microbes Coloring Book and Scavenger Hunt
Coloring pages showcase microbes—bacteria, viruses, and protists. Scholars have the option to download a coloring book and scavenger hunt or color the page directly on the computer. Three paragraphs describe each microbe.
Agriculture in the Classroom
Design 'Y'er Genes
How do changes in DNA affect an organism? Scholars explore chromosomes, genes, DNA, and mutations by modeling the DNA of a strawberry. They build a DNA model, then manipulate it to show how changing the genes transforms the strawberry...
Cornell University
Electroplating
Silver pennies and copper nickels are made possible by applying some chemistry. Learners use electrolysis to coat a penny with zinc sulfate and a nickel with copper sulfate. Their investigation builds an understanding of electroplating...
Nuffield Foundation
Microbes Ate My Homework
Now you have a new excuse not to do your homework. A long-term experiment has learners explore cellulose-digesting enzymes. They simulate how paper breaks down in a compost bin. There's no need to blame your dog for eating your homework...
Curated OER
Diversity of Life
Students identify the difference between eukaryote and prokaryotes and examine the structure of bacteria. In this bacteria lesson students examine the different ways that bacteria are classified through an activity.
Curated OER
Building a Clay Neuron
Students investigate and then build neurons in this lesson. They are examined as key parts of the brain and nervous system and seen as different from normal cells.
Curated OER
Antigen Switching in Malaria
High schoolers model how the malaria-causing protist avoids immune response in its host. In this parasite biology lesson, students use printed cell images to model the way that Plasmodium changes surface protein markers every few...
Curated OER
Observing Osmosis in a Chicken Egg
Tenth graders develop a hypothesis and explain what they observed on an activity. In this investigative lesson students observe osmosis and report their data using a graph.
Curated OER
DNA Extraction
Students participate in a lab activity in which they extract DNA from a strawberry. After mashing the strawberry into an even, smooth puree inside a bag, they add extraction buffer and mix the strawberry with the buffer. They filter...
Curated OER
Plant Classification
Young scholars share with the class how they think plants are classified and are assessed on their prior knowledge. They use a packet to complete throughout the week at their own pace, which includes various activities to familiarize...
Curated OER
Genetics - Critical Thinking
In this genetics learning exercise, learners review terms and processes associated with genetics. This learning exercise has 2 multiple choice and 21 matching questions.
Curated OER
Over-the-Counter Culture
Learners explore the changing consumer habits of Americans of various socioeconomic classes. They examine the exact costs of products, services and interest rates mentioned in the article and reflect on their own spending habits and...
Curated OER
High School Bag Design
Students design a bag that they would personally use to carry needed items to school. In this bag design lesson, students observe real bags and assess needs and wants for a new bag. Students brainstorm design solutions and render their...
Curated OER
Revised “Understanding Nutrition” Activity
Students evaluate their current food choices. In this health science lesson, students test different drinks to rate the amount of Vitamin C content. They discuss results in class.
Curated OER
The Honey Bee's Home
Students are introduced to the members and workings of a honey bee colony. They describe the structure of a comb, the day-to-day activities of honey bees, and name the four stages of bee development. They construct a honeycomb model.
Curated OER
The Plasma Membrane
In this plasma membrane learning exercise, students will explore how cells are able to maintain homeostasis and the function of the plasma membrane. This learning exercise has 6 fill in the blank and 7 true or false questions.
Curated OER
The Euglena
In this euglena learning exercise, students read information about these unicellular organisms. Students then color in the different structures of the euglena on a diagram. Students complete 10 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Edible DNA
Learners use multicolored soft candies (gumdrops and candy orange slices) and toothpicks to create models of DNA structures. They discuss the fact that DNA must copy itself before splitting into two cells. Students demonstrate this by...