Curated OER
Filter-Feeding in Reef Sponges
Students make observations and describe the filter-feeding in sponges as it relates to the ecological role of sponges on coral reefs. In this filter-feeding in reef sponges instructional activity, students are introduced to the feeding...
Curated OER
Endangered Species
In this geography worksheet, students identify how to manipulate data on a range of endangered species. They create a bar graph of endangered animals from Africa, Asia, Australia, North America, or South America. Students use a...
Curated OER
18th Century Microscope
Students examine a microscope from the 18th century. In this microscope lesson, students investigate how it works, what it was used for and how the tool has evolved through the years. Students also build knowledge on how compound...
Curated OER
What is a Seed?
First graders identify the parts of a seed. In this plant biology instructional activity, 1st graders are given a seed and identify each part of the seed by using a hand lens. Students plant a seed and graph the growth.
Curated OER
The Nervous System
Students investigate the nervous system. In this anatomy lesson plan, students identify and define vocabulary related to the nervous system. Students role play the parts of a nervous system and perform an experiment measuring and...
Curated OER
Ice Cream
Students create ice cream in a bag and snow ice cream to study the effects of freezing on foods. For this ice cream lesson, students understand the effects of freezing on cells.
Curated OER
Designer Genes
Students view a video on DNA. They discuss mitosis, meiosis and fertilization. They use strips of paper to simulate fertilization and analyze the genotype and phenotype of the combined chromosomes.
Curated OER
Gene Regulation Mechanisms
Students explore genetics. They discuss how chromosomes and/or genes are regulated during the life of an organism. In a lab setting, students compare and contrast the genomic regulation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells using...
Curated OER
The Heart of the Matter
Students study the heart and the circulatory system. They practice taking their pulse. They create a model of blood cells and squeeze tennis balls to demonstrate just how hard the heart muscle works.
Messenger Education
Star Power! Discovering the Power of Sunlight
It takes less than 10 minutes for energy from the sun to travel 90 million miles to Earth! In the first installment in a series of four, groups measure the amount of solar radiation that reaches Earth. They then discuss how this is...
Curated OER
Diffusion Across a Selectively Permeable Membrane
Students investigate how water passes through cell membranes. In this biology instructional activity, students differentiate osmosis and diffusion. They illustrate the movement of water in both processes.
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
GPS Receiver Basics
Students practice using a GPS receiver. They walk in different directions and monitor their progress on maps. They enter specific locations and use information given to them to get them back to their original locations.
Curated OER
I'm Not In Range
Students discover how cell phone service works while participating in a role play activity. They identify its advantages and disadvantages based on service. They examine how engineers use this information to develop better...
Curated OER
Filter Feeding in Reef Sponges
Students investigate the role of sponges in our oceans. In this biology lesson plan, students create a diagram visualizing how sponges bring food into their bodies through a filtering process. Students discuss the connections...
Curated OER
Cell Reproduction and Inheritance
Students determine their inherited characteristics from their parents. In this biology lesson, students study the life of Mendel using an interactive website. They differentiate dominant and recessive characteristics.
Curated OER
On the Sidelines
Students investigate their pulse rate. They chart their resting pulse rate if they are unable to participate in Physical Education using a stop watch.
Curated OER
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
In this energy worksheet, students review the processes that create energy for a cell: photosynthesis and cellular respiration. This worksheet has 11 fill in the blank and 14 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Diversity of Life: Pathogens
Students research bacteria and viruses that carry pathogens. In this diversity lesson, students examine how pathogens spread disease through bacteria and viruses. Students write a report on disease caused by bacteria or virus including...
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Calling Plans
Students explore the consequences of allowing students to use cell phones and other electronic devices in schools. They draft school policy statements regulating the use of these devices.
Curated OER
Diffusion & Osmosis with Data Analysis
Young scholars explore principles governing diffusion and osmosis. Students perform a dialysis tubing experiment. They obtain core samples of potato in varying concentrations of sugar-water to measure water potential of the potato...
Curated OER
Mutations--Preexisting or Acquired?
Students explore the reasoning and experimental approaches to mutations. They expose a culture of E. coli to virulent bacteriophage and observe whether mutations of the cells existed previously or if the bacteria mutated as a response...
Curated OER
Colored Shadows
Learners explore how different colors are seen through the cone cells in our eyes. In this light lesson students complete a lab activity with light and record their observations.
Curated OER
DNA Chips
High schoolers explore issues surrounding DNA microarray technology. They focus on a single area of biomedical research to help them explain how science, people, ethics, and history all fit together. They analyze gene-expression data.