University of Minnesota
Chemotaxis Using C. elegans
Have you ever wondered what roundworms are like? Or what they don't like? Explore the sensory preferences of C. elegans through this controlled chemotaxis experiment. Biology class members brainstorm what substances might attract—or...
Science 4 Inquiry
A Whole New World: The Search for Water
Scholars find Earth won't support humans much longer and need to identify a planet with water to inhabit. They test four unknown samples and determine which is the closest to water. Then they explain and defend their results.
Teach Engineering
Dirty Decomposers
Do not let the class just sit and rot. Pupils learn how decomposition and nutrient recycling is important to an ecosystem. Groups design an experiment to determine how environmental conditions affect decomposition. They develop a poster...
American Physiological Society
Effects of Environment on Enzymes
Much like the tale of Humpty Dumpty, proteins, once altered, will never be the same again. Honors and pre-AP biology classes explore the delicate world of enzymes via a Webquest and lab experiment. The teacher's guide contains all...
American Chemical Society
Changing State: Evaporation
Why do experiments require a control? Guide scholars through designing an experiment to see what they can do to evaporate water faster with a lesson that stresses the importance of controlling all variables. The second activity allows...
University of Minnesota
Caeno-WHAT??
Can you feel that? Can you smell that? Since pupils can't ask worms about their sense of smell and touch, they design and complete an experiment to answer these questions. Individuals expose nematodes to different stimuli using their...
University of Minnesota
C. elegans and Alcohol
Investigate experimental design through a hands-on exploration. A creative lesson allows learners to design an experiment to monitor the effects of alcohol on the C. elegans worm. After conducting the experiment, individuals analyze...
University of Minnesota
Whose Choice Is It Anyway?
Your taste buds may be saying Pepsi, but your brain is saying Coke! By analyzing experimental research, learners discover ways in which our brains impact decision making. They conclude with a discussion of neuromarketing and how it...
Curated OER
Open Inquiry Using C. elegans
Ever wondered what motivates a roundworm? Introduce your biology class to C. elegans, a non-parasitic model organism that can help them understand behavioral stimuli. Paired pupils design an experiment to test the worm's reaction to...
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Let’s Throw an Electric Science Party!
Are you looking for a shockingly good lesson? Check out one that has middle schoolers recreate four of Benjamin Franklin's experiments. Groups investigate, observe, and draw conclusions about static electricity and electrical current....
University of California
Heating and Cooling of the Earth's Surface
Scholars collect data from heating sand and water before forming testable hypotheses about why sand heats up faster. Afterward, they develop and run experiments to test their hypotheses.
Learning Games Lab
Understanding Water Activity
How does water activity play a role in food spoilage? First, the learners think about which types of foods would be best to take on a backpacking trip based on the water activity of different foods. It then walks through why water...
Learning Games Lab
Controlling Water Activity in Food
Food storage matters! Scholars learn how the amount of water in corn can affect its rate of spoilage. They create a control group, then test three corn samples stored in three different locations for water activity. As a result of the...
Learning Games Lab
The pH Scale and Meter Calibration
What are the different ways to test for pH? First, scholars explore the pH scale and a common way to test for acidity and alkalinity. Then, they learn about the importance of pH in food safety and why variance in pH could potentially...
Learning Games Lab
How to Use Oil Immersion Microscope
Teach the class how to use a microscope to identify bacteria in food. Scholars explore the different parts of the microscope and learn how to determine total magnification. They walk step-by-step through the procedure of preparing slides...
Learning Games Lab
Gram Staining
Scholars use a lab simulation to test contaminated yogurt for bacteria by gram staining. They learn proper lab procedures for handling bacteria and for sterilizing equipment, and then walk through the process on their own to try gram...
Learning Games Lab
Bacteria Sampling
Scholars explore the procedure for bacteria sampling in a virtual lab by first walking through a detailed step-by-step procedure of preparing the samples of raw milk and pasteurized milk, growing the bacteria, and comparing results....
Learning Games Lab
Testing for Corn Mold
Learners complete a virtual lab to test for a corn mold that can lead to dangerous toxins. They walk through a detailed step-by-step procedure then see their findings. Throughout the activity, they learn how to use lab tools and practice...
Biology Junction
Scientific Method
Break down the scientific method to get a better grasp on the proper way to use it. A short presentation walks through each step in the scientific method and the proper vocabulary associated with each. Scholars complete the worksheet to...
American Psychological Association
Do Cookies/Donuts Improve Memory? Errors in Methodology
If the methodology is skewed, the results will be skewed. That's the takeaway from an exercise designed to get class members thinking about research methods and statistics gathering. Instructors manipulate the testing environment to...
New South Wales Department of Education
Photosynthesis
Venus fly traps photosynthesize and consume insects because the soil they live in does not provide enough nutrients. Scholars analyze historical scientific experiments to learn how scientists discovered photosynthesis. From their...
Mathematics Vision Project
Module 8: Statistics
What does it mean to be normal in the world of statistics? Pupils first explore the meaning of a normal distribution in the eight-lesson module. They then apply the statistics related to normal distributions such as mean, standard...
EngageNY
Differences Due to Random Assignment Alone
It takes a lot of planning to achieve a random result! Learners compare results of random assignment, and conclude that random assignment allows results to be attributed to chance. They also realize the set of random means are clustered...
EngageNY
Evaluating Reports Based on Data from an Experiment
They say you can interpret statistics to say what you want them to. Teach your classes to recognize valid experimental results! Pupils analyze experiments and identify flaws in design or statistics.