Kenan Fellows
Microorganisms in Pond Water
That is living in the water? Groups of two to three view pond water with microscopes in order to find microorganisms. They draw pictures of the ones they find in their slides. The groups compare their drawings to pictures of common pond...
Science Matters
Mighty Microorganisms
How can you tell if a microorganism is helpful or detrimental to an ecosystem? Learners inspect slides or pictures of microorganisms and record their observations to identify those that are beneficial or harmful. They then pretend to...
Curated OER
Helpful Microorganisms
Students study how some microorganisms are helpful and practical in foods. They work with microorganism in a number of food, such as yeast in bread and yogurt.
Curated OER
How Microbes Help Ecosystems
Sixth graders observe different microorganisms under the microscope. In this biology lesson, 6th graders draw and describe the samples they see. They study the root nodules of plants and explain how the plants benefit from those bacteria.
Curated OER
Predicting the Growth of Microorganisms
Students determine where microorganisms might be found around their school. For this scientific investigation lesson, students collect cultures from various locations and place these in petri dishes. They incubate the cultures to see if...
Curated OER
Microorganism Multiplication
Seventh graders complete two experiments to learn about harmful and helpful microorganisms. In this microorganisms instructional activity, 7th graders read background information about fungi, yeast, and club fungi. Students then complete...
Baylor College
Tools of Magnification
Life science learners need to be able to use a microscope. With this comprehensive resource, they first experience how lenses and magnification work, and then get familiar with using a compound microscope. Tremendous background...
Curated OER
Microorganism Multiplication
Sixth graders explore biology by viewing video clips in class. In this microorganism identification lesson, 6th graders identify the types of organisms that can feed small animals such as algae and protozoans. Students view video clips...
Curated OER
Naked to the Eye
Students understand that microorganisms are too small to see but there are other indications they exist. In this microorganisms lesson plan, students recognize that some microorganism are helpful and some are not. Students use a...
Curated OER
Bacteria's Role in Food
Students grow bacteria cultures on agar in petri dishes and do a plate count. They participate in a yogurt making lab to see how bacteria produce lactic acid. They prepare a recipe and identify fungi, fermentation and the role of...
Curated OER
Yeasts and Molds
Students investigate the characteristics and nature of yeast and molds help to explain how these microorganisms affect food production. They experiment with yeast in sourdough in preparing sourdough pancakes.
Curated OER
Hand Washing: I can handle it!
Sixth graders examine microorganisms. In this germs lesson, 6th graders observe and record data on the positive and negative aspects of microorganisms. Students complete activities, view a film, and explore websites.
Curated OER
The Water Drop Project
Students discover the microorganisms that live in water. They study the structures and life functions of protists and recognize the similarities between them and multicellular organisms.
Curated OER
Life in a Drop of Pond Water
Students investigate living creatures that inhabit a pond and explore how various organisms satisfy their needs within their environments. In this life in a drop of pond water lesson, students examine microorganisms under magnification....
Curated OER
Soil Treasure Hunt
Students explore the concept of soil and decomposition. In this soil and decomposition lesson, students investigate bags of soil. Students then learn how animals and other organisms help in the decomposition process.
Curated OER
Microorganisms: Good Guys or Bad Guys?
Students discover the role microorganisms play in our lives. In this decomposition instructional activity, students examine decaying foods and plants in order to analyze the different bacteria that grows. Students discuss the good and...
Curated OER
Our Food and Microorganisms
Students answer questions about how microorganisms can affect our food supply and how they can be controlled. The first set of inquiry activities are directed by the teacher. Subsequent activities are based on students generating their...
Curated OER
Geometric Sequences - Bacterial Growth
Bring algebra to life with scientific applications. Math minded individuals calculate and graph the time it takes a bacterium to double. They discuss geometric sequences and use a chart to graph their findings. There are 38 questions all...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
What van Leeuwenhoek Saw
When van Leeuwenhoek saw cells and single-celled organisms for the first time, he knew these small things were a big deal! Share his discoveries with young learners through a narrated video, model-building activity, and scale study....
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Winogradsky Columns: Microbial Ecology in the Classroom
Winogradsky columns are ideal for observing the role of bacteria and other microorganisms in an ecosystem. This student activity guide is complete with data tables for observations and analysis questions for processing what was observed....
Curated OER
The Good, the Bad and the Both
Students use information from articles about microorganisms and their prior knowledge to identify both the positive and negative aspects of microorganisms.
Curated OER
Yeast Power!
Students examine how not all microorganisms are bad and that some can actually be beneficial. In this yeast lesson students complete an experiment with yeast and answer questions.
Curated OER
What's in the Pond?
Sixth graders are introduced to microorganisms within a specific ecosystem and have the opportunity to make observations, explore the environment, conduct experiments and draw conclusions through firsthand experience at a pond. They also...
Curated OER
Microbes on My Mind
Young scholars observe and read about microorganisms so that they can create an information book on microorganisms.