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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life in a Forest Stream

For Teachers 7th - Higher Ed
Students assess macro-invertebrates from a stream. In this science lesson plan, students observe, classify and identify organisms found in a stream. A lab station is constructed at the stream sight and students study the different...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Microbes Help Ecosystems

For Teachers 6th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Challenge to Deliver Insulin

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students study the types of diabetes and why insulin is important.  In this diabetes lesson students build molecular models and create a healthy lifestyle plan. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Yogurt Production

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work together to complete an experiment making yogurt. They test different temperatures and different amount of ingredients. They record and analyze their data.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bacterial Transformation Kit

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students participate in an experiment in which they practice moving genes from one organism to another. They examine the results of a recombination of jellyfish. They identify different types of bacteria as well.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aerobic and Anaerobic Microbe Analysis in a Subarctic Setting

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students investigate the relationships between protozoa, algae and monera in freshwater, shoreline soil, and reindeer rumen. They publish reports of their findings.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Petri-fied of Bacteria

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the existence of bacteria all around them and consider the roles, both positive and negative, that bacteria play. Over a period of several days, students conduct an experiment in which they predict, determine, log, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparing Microscopic Organisms in Fresh and Polluted Water: An Invitation To Inquiry

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students have the opportunity to develop and formulate ideas and explanations through the scientific standard of inquiry. They identify organisms by using an identification key for specific aquatic geographical area.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Small is Small?

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students view the video "The Invisible World" and discuss different types of microscopes and what can be seen with each type. They work in pairs to view several objects with a microscope.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetically Modified Foods

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students investigate the risks of genetically modified organisms. They examine web site that contain information about GMO's and share the information with other adults.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Challenge to Deliver Insulin

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate these fundamental chemical and cellular processes. They recognize the long-term danger that comes from a diet of fast food, chips, and soda, realize that avoiding diabetes is their responsibility, and establish...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Biocomplexity?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students dicuss different aspects of biocomplexity. They demonstrate synthesis of complex concepts by creating before and after posters expressing how the concepts of biocomplexity have ben internalized. Students define the term...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dirt Life

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students select and collect soil samples from a variety of locations (schoolyard, home, etc.). They do this lab after an interest-generating discussion about "dirt" and microbes. Students make a dilution in sterile water, plate it on a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Filtration

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explore, analyze, study and demonstrate the procedures that municipal water plants may use to purify water for drinking. They cover the clean water processes of aeration, coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection.
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Lesson Plan
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What is a Nanometer?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students develop a concept of the relative size of objects in the nanoscale. They complete an internet assignment using the website,"Scaling the Universe to Your Desktop". Using analogies to common objects they get an appreciation for...
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Lesson Plan
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Gold Mine

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Learners investigate gold. In this gold panning lesson, students demonstrate the process of mining through an experiment using two boxes of sand. Learners design a safe way to mine gold.
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Lesson Plan
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Microbes and Climate

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Pupils examine how microbes play a role in the climate system.  In this climate lesson students complete an activity, create a PowerPoint presentation and present it to the class. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Through A Pinhole

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Learners construct a pinhole camera using their knowledge of the physics of light. This interdisciplinary activity give students hands-on experience in understanding the production and processing of photographic images.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Watershed Monitoring Module

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the relevance of water quality monitoring in relation to a local wetland ecosystem. They conduct standard water quality tests using wet tests and CBL calculators and probes. Student record and interpret the results.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bioinformatics

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students are exposed to the tools and databases currently used by researchers in molecular and evolutionary biology. They gain a better understanding of gene analysis, taxonomy, and evolution.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Invent PCR: You May Win a Nobel Prize

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students gain an appreciation for the simplicity, but also complexity and elegance of PCR. They comprehend all components of the protocol. Students explain exactly how CPR works, and why, after the third cycle, the predominant DNA being...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Photography and Composition

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the techniques and principles of photographic composition using various scientific tools such as a camera, a digital computer scanner, and a computer.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gold Mine

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students view and discuss a demonstration of how gold is mined and panned. They design and create a tunnel that has reinforcements to withstand collapse.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Microbial Spoilers: The Impact of Microorganisms on the Shelf-life of Milk

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students are inroduced to a commonly used microbial culturing technique. They explore the role of microorganisms in determining the shelf-life of food products.