Biology Junction
Plant Diversity
Ginkgo trees existed for more than 350 million years, and, at this time, only one species still remains. While plant diversity generally increases over geologic time, some interesting exceptions occur. Young scientists learn about plant...
Curated OER
Migration and the Spirits of Life
Students study the Mexican traditions for the Day of the Dead. In this Mexican traditions lesson, students study monarch butterflies and learn about the role that the mariposa plays in the Day of the Dead. Students learn about migration,...
Curated OER
Benthic Macroinvertebrates
Students survey and describe a stream ecosystem. They sample the benthic macroinvertebrate populations of a given stream and determine community structure through the use of the Chandler Index and a species diversity index.
Curated OER
Investigative Case - Living in an Alkaline Environment
Students are shown many ways in which Mono Lake water and distilled water are different. They demonstrate that the survival of common soil bacteria declines as pH increases. Students examine the behaviors, adaptations, energy transfer,...
Curated OER
A Yen for Maximum Residue Limits in Food
Future public health officials or agriculturists read an article and answer questions concerning the Japanese regulations for pesticide exposure. They compare the maximum residue limit for two, 4-D of Japan with other countries. This is...
Curated OER
Freshwater Habitats
Learners take samples from local freshwater sources and examine them for macroinvertebrate life. They take samples from both shallow and deep freshwater environments, measure temperatures, and classify organisms found in their samples.
Curated OER
Water Quality and Dissolved Oxygen
Students investigate the relationship between dissolved oxygen and organic materials and aquatic organisms. This is a 3-lesson series in which students explore dissolved oxygen and then design an experiment testing the effects of changes.
Curated OER
Go Fish!
Young scholars are introduced to the culture of the Kumeyaay. Using their text, they discover how they used their native flora and fauna in San Diego. They participate in a matching game and examine the types of organisms who make their...
Curated OER
BIOASSESSMENT OF STREAMS
Students work as a team to gather organisms from a stream to evaluate if the water quality is excellent, good, or fair to poor.
Curated OER
Mighty Macroinvertebrates
Seventh graders identify the names and features of macroinvertebrates found in Turtle River. In this ecology instructional activity students use digital microscopes and take pictures of invertebrates.
Curated OER
Leaf - It's What's for Dinner
Students discover correlations in food preferences of invertebrates, and assess stream health through use of kicknets, invertebrate keys, CBL systems and probes.
Curated OER
Genetics: Mice Rule! (Or Not)
Pupils explore genetics and evolution by examining a hypothetical mouse population. Using coin tosses, they determine mouse traits of parents and offspring. Finally, they consider the outcomes of changing environmental conditions on...
Curated OER
The Benefits of Biodiversity
Students examine the concept of biodiversity. They toss coins to determine what traits mouse parents have and the babies traits as well. They predict what would happen to the baby mice if the traits of the parents were different.
Curated OER
Coral Bleaching
Students examine the relationship between corals and zooxanthellae, identify stresses to corals, and explain coral bleaching. In this sea life instructional activity students predict the effects of increased temperatures on coral...
Curated OER
Biomes: Freshwater & Seawater
Middle schoolers observe organisms behavior and adaptations. In this biomes lesson students conduct fieldwork to determine water quality and answer questions about the differences between different habitats.
Curated OER
Introduction to Macroinvertebrates
Third graders investigate the world of macroinvertebrates and identify the environmental stressors that threaten their existence. Outdoors, they role-play as stressors and invertebrates, with the intolerant species doing pushups, spins,...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Science and Religion
A lesson using the strategy of structured academic controversy where learners explore the roots of differing perspectives on evolution, In the process, they develop a deepened understanding of science and religion, and tolerance for...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Desert Cottontail
Living well below sea level in Death Valley and also in woodland and grassland up to 2,000 m elevation, Desert Cottontails are able to tolerate diverse habitats. They are most active at dawn and dusk and spend hot days resting in a...