Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build an Anchialine Pond

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore biology by conducting a nature experiment. In this pond examination lesson, students utilize recycled materials, play-doh and water to recreate a pond and its inhabitants. Students identify the different elements within...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living in a Tree

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore animals that live in trees. In this nature and biology lesson, students go outdoors and make observations about animals and their unique body parts that help them to live in trees. Students create drawings as they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flower Power

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore parts of the flower. In this plant biology lesson plan, students dissect flowers and identify how the seeds are formed. Students take a nature walk to pick flowers for future dissections.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Survival in Antarctica

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Explore the harsh climate of Antarctica and its wildlife. Participate in experiments to determine how humans survive in the continent's climate, and address the difficulties faced by scientists.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cougar or Human: Which Needs Protection?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the biology and natural history of the cougar. Students conduct Internet research to determine how cougars have been protected by humans and how it is affected by human decisions. Students write about reconciling...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Environments of Big Sur -- Which Do We Protect?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the geological, climatic, and biological features of Big Sur. They watch a video, conduct Internet research, and create a script and images in the form of an outline in a simulation of an environmental group.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Man's Best Friend

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students compare human and dog senses. In this biology lesson, students describe different ways that dogs help humans. They research and create a presentation about a modern dog hero.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Vaccines

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars explain in a written format how vaccination works and how it draws upon the natural immunity. They differentiate between vaccinations and immunizations. Students identify a number of illnesses that can be prevented by the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is pH?

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students describe pH and the importance of it in the natural world.  In this Biology lesson students compare the pH of different mixtures.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Raven: Creator of the Universe?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars explore biology by researching birds in class. In this raven identification instructional activity, students utilize the Internet to identify the anatomy, habits and habitat of ravens. Young scholars write descriptive...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Succession

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The final lesson in a two-part series prompts scholars to create newspaper articles and succession events. Applying their knowledge of the ecosystem and the past examples of succession, they predict what will happen in the future...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ugly? Says Who?

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students explore biology by writing animal poetry in class. In this animal characteristics lesson, students research the Internet for facts about an "ugly" animal such as a bug or small critter. Students complete worksheets about animal...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bringing Up Birdy

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Learners explore biology by creating diagrams of animal life cycles. In this baby bird instructional activity, students view video clips of birds being born from incubation to flying on their own. Learners utilize the Internet to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Populations – The Survival of the Fittest (Part 1)

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explain in their own words why organisms live together. In this biology lesson, students model what happens to organisms if their environment changes. They explain the importance of evolution.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Describe the Perfect Pathogen

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars develop a pathogen based upon their knowledge of pathogens and after presenting it to the class, they then suggest ways that the pathogen might be combated. Next they identify possible physical or behavioral changes in a...
Lesson Plan
Nuffield Foundation

Assessing Human Hearing

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Young scientists explore hearing through multiple experiments, demonstrations, and activities. They focus on the changes in hearing over a lifetime, how we can determine where a sound is coming from, and the ability to filter noises.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Speedy Succession

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders identify how a pond can change into a grassland. An ecosystems lesson where learners identify pioneer and climax species, and recognize that ecological succession can take up to 100 years or more. Some excellent activities...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Watch the Screen!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore screening processes for biological activity.  In this deep sea lesson students complete a lab activity. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why Cladistics?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore how biological classification is intimately associated with evolution.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pseudogene Suite

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use Biology Workbench to explore DNA sequence data for the GULOP gene in humans, chimpanzees, orangutans, and crab-eating macaques and the beta globin gene and its pseduogene in humans, gorillas, and chimpanzees.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Can Land Ethics Work?

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students evaluate the various purposes and issues surrounding the management of a nature preserve. They participate in discussion on whether there is intrinsic value in nature for its own sake.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Quality Survey: Monitoring the Sustainability of Pigeon Creek

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers research the History of Pigeon Creek (or any watershed in your area). In this environmental science lesson plan, students conduct field tests such as pH and nitrates. They collect data and compare what they collected with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Characterization of the Bioluminescence (Lux+) Gene E. coli

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students grow E. coli strain HB101, which contains the plasmid pUCD607 with the bioluminescence (Lux+) gene. The plasmid containing the Lux+ gene is isolated from the E. coli, then characterized by restriction analysis.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Viruses

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A fliud exchange activity using pipettes/droppers to exchange fluids with at least 3 people. your students are advised not to spill any liquid. Droppers are collected in a large beaker, and students return to desks while holding tubes....