National Institute on Drug Abuse
The Brain's Response to Drugs
Marijuana affects the brain differently than inhalants, which have a different effect than opioids. Elementary and middle school classes read about these drugs as well as nicotine, methamphetamine, hallucinogens, and steroids before...
Curated OER
Drugs Change the Way Neurons Communicate
Students examine that certain drugs interfere selectively with neurotransmission, and realize that the effect of a drug is dependent upon dosage and route of administration.
Curated OER
Drugged Out Daphnia
Students make predictions and investigate (using a microscope) the effects of nicotine, caffeine, aspirin, alcohol, and sleeping pills on cultures of fresh water Daphnia.
Royal Society of Chemistry
Combinatorial Chemistry—Chemistry Now
Finding new drugs has been likened to finding a needle in a haystack. How do pharmaceutical companies do it? One of a small series of four informative leaflets examines combinatorial chemistry, the method at the forefront of new drug...
NOAA
Watch the Screen!
Can a sponge cure cancer? Life science pupils visit the drugstore under the sea in the fifth lesson of six. Working groups research the topic then get hands-on experience by testing the inhibiting effects of several plant extracts on E....
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Commitment to Recovery
Recovery from substance addiction is an ongoing process. The final lesson plan in a series about painkiller abuse and addiction prompts learners to research various recovery options before writing a short story about a character who is...
Steered Straight
Marijuana Awareness
February is Marijuana Awareness Month, and a set of interdisciplinary activities can make your class aware of the social, medical, legal, and psychological effects of marijuana. With writing prompts, research opportunities, and...
Curated OER
Facts into Action
Students role play chosen scenario about smart decision making. For this drug awareness lesson, students discuss the danger associated with drug abuse. They practice how to make careful choices when faced with a difficult situation.
Curated OER
Alcohol and Its Impact on the Brain
Learners examine water as it changes states. In water and ice lesson students study the water cycle and what happens to it as it changes state.
Curated OER
Environmental Causes of Birth Defects
Get your high schoolers thinking about the factors that lead to birth defects. They examine how environmental factors and personal choices can cause birth defects in unborn children. They discover the effects of various handicaps such as...
Curated OER
Enzymes
Tenth graders observe enzyme activity. They discuss the relationship between drug use and enzyme activity.
Curated OER
Collect Your Own DNA
Pupils examine DNA and its location throughout the body. In this DNA activity students collect and observe their own DNA and see that DNA can be extracted from any cell in the body.