Group items tagged

This website explains that embryos all go through different stages before being born. Often many embryos look alike until later stages. I picked this website because I thought it was interesting to see the embryos and guess which each organism was. I would use this website during computer time for material to be reinforced and for students to have fun guessing which animal is which.

This resource is an exercise in perception with a small nod to biology. Essentially, the activity requires a student to stand astride a 2x3-feet mirror and then, with the leg that is against the reflective side of the mirror, bend at the knee and move it back and forth. This will create the illusion of flight. The idea behind this is not only the reflection of light using a mirror, but it also ties in to basic biology and anatomy by proving that the human body is symmetrical. I chose this out of a desire to find fun light and reflection-based activities that are relatable to younger (K-3) students. I would use this in the classroom as part of a lesson about light and reflection, making sure to give the hat tip to the biology element as well.

This source gives the history of space exploration. From the first astronomers to the first shuttle launch. This website will be useful by informing the students on how humans have contributed to the solar system with knowledge and technology. I selected this website because it will be a good source for information on the history of outer space. I like this resource because I can set up groups to explore one of the four websites and report back to class. This hands on experience will help students realize it was a long and difficult journey to get to where we are in space, knowledge and technology. I could use this in not only science by history class by relating to dates of other situations in history as well as showing how Americans have progresses throughout the years in science and technology.

I really like the timelines for different periods of history as well as the depictions of insignia for the different missions to space by NASA. Great informational site for student research!

LAB - Pig Dissection: This is an illustrated power point presentation that guides students through the dissection of a fetal pig. It includes identification of all external and internal features and structures. A great hands on activity for biology students learning about the body systems, I selected it for its practical applications and because the pig model closely simulates the human systems. Well labeled and extremely detailed.

This resource is a unit plan that can include up to five lessons on human body cells. It covers cells from their beginning to cell aging and death and is very relatable in its presentation. Allows students to connect the scientific content to their 'everyday lives' Also addresses different cells with specialized functions but shows how they work together. Selected because the cell forms the foundation for the study of life.

This is a lesson plan all about DNA. The students will use a banana and extract DNA from it and observe it under a microscope. I think that this is a cool and fun, interactive way for students to obtain a better understanding of DNA.

DNA is so abstract that I think it would be better recommended for 6-12 than K-12.

In this activity, Students will try extracting DNA from a banana by following the simple instructions and can take the activity further with the use of a microscope. It is a fun, interactive way to get the students thinking about structure. I would consider incorporating this activity into my classroom because it involves very little cost (1 banana would provide enough DNA for a classroom-wide experiment). Also, the experiment is totally sanitary--you are not working with human/animal DNA, you're working with food. Finally, anytime you bring food into a classroom, healthy or not, the students are interested. It's a win-win-win-win. This is a great lesson because it can be easily modified and adapted based upon the grade level and needs of the students. I believe this lesson would provide a nice introduction of DNA to a Middle School science classroom. However, if the instructor would like to increase difficulty for an older grade, it is easy to do. The students could compare and contrast DNA from different fruits, research in-depth, etc.

This website is a couple of different lesson plans that are centered around diversity in organisms, humans, and plants. I selected this website because there are four specific lessons that go right along with plant and animal biodiversity. I would use this resource when I was making my lesson plans for the lesson segment on plant and animal biodiversity because the lessons will give me a better understanding on what the 2nd graders need to know.

This is a downloadable app that provides an interactive, virtual dissection. Not only can students virtually dissect a frog, but they can also learn about the habitat of frogs, the different types, take a quiz, and compare frogs to humans. They will also be taught about the different tools that are used for dissecting and when it is appropriate to use each tool. This app can be used in the classroom in order to dissect frogs without the mess and smell, but still allow the students to learn the necessary information.

This activity allows students to work with genetics that effect human and animal traits. They will use the worksheets to determine which genes will pass on traits to offspring. Punnett squares are used in the activity to aid the students in finding the answers and understanding the difference between recessive and dominant genes. Students can easily work in groups to complete the science activity and use reasoning techniques to understand how their answers are formed. Along with learning about inheritance and genetics, the students will also be working with probability. This lesson can double as a science and mathematics lesson.

This is a great website that has tons of free lesson plans, videos, and quizzes. It covers a wide range of topics including, life science, physical science, the human body, and space. It includes content for grades K-12. It even includes interactive diagrams for students to complete. I think this resource could be used in the classroom in multiple ways. The activities could be used for instruction or reinforcement.

Very easy to search, by grade level or content area. The lessons I found were good foundations for particular content, but needed some sparking up, especially in terms of an engaging introduction.

This field trip is a wonderful opportunity for students wishing to pursue a career in the medical field. Students will have the opportunity to see a cadaver used for medical research. This would not be a field trip for general science classes, but more geared toward AP or human anatomy classes.

Also look at the descriptions of distance learning and dissection options hosted at the university instead of in your own classroom, if you don't have the facilities to conduct dissections yourself.

The Students will create an undersea environment in their classroom while researching interesting facts about their favorite sea creatures. Materials may be used such as crayons, colored pencils, markers, crepe paper (blue, green, red, yellow, pink), paper plates, construction paper, index cards, or books/magazines with pictures or illustrations of fish. Throughout the following week the class will all work together to turn their classroom into an undersea environment, and teach one another more about the creatures that live in the sea. I chose this source because it is an exciting way to jump into a unit about the ocean wildlife, and by choosing their favorite creature the students will get a chance to use creativity. Ocean animals are exciting to learn about because they are often unseen to the human eye, and decorating the classroom is a fun way to bring the underground waters to life. In the classroom I would use this lesson at the beginning of a biology unit to get the class excited, and allow them to work on something fun throughout the week. Displaying their work in the classroom will make the atmosphere bright and cheery!

The heart rate lab is a classic Life Science activity for the circulatory system. It is also a fun way to collect data and to analyze results. Materials for the lab are all available at this website. The function of the heart has always been a fascinating topic for me, and by incorporating this lab while teaching a unit on the human body would be an engaging way to get the students up and moving and recording data!

"Learn how to keep yourself healthy by discovering how different exercises such as walking and running can affect your heart rate. Ruby's heart rate will change as you make her sleep, sit, walk & run, watch how her body reacts to the different activities." I think this online interactive activity would be great to use in the classroom! It teaches students about the circulatory system, how the heart works as it pumps blood around the body, why blood goes to the lungs to pick up oxygen and what important roles arteries and veins have in the process. This activity will teach students the importance of keeping healthy and it also helps them understand how the human heart reacts to different activities.