Biology Labs and activities
Human body systems as a network lab
Studying the different systems and organs of the human body is a staple of biology classes, this lab encourages students to look at it as a bigger system of smaller organ systems and organs that work to gether to keep us alive and healthy.
| human body network 5E plan |
School yard ecology lab
This lab is designed for students to practice quadrat sampling and field study of the organisms in a habitat on or near a school campus.
| ecosystem network inquiry |
| Quadrat sampling lab |
Controversial issues and Argument analysis Activities
These activities give a frame work for students to develop and evaluate arguements when advocating or arguing a point in a controversial issues activity.
| toulmin model of argument analysis power point |
| toulmin_model_of_argument_analysis_final.ppt |
DNA Extraction Lab
While DNA is everywhere it is rarely something students get to visualize except in models. This lab allows students to isolate DNA and look at a large amount of it and even talk about why the lab works to isolate it.
| DNA extraction lab |
Electrophoresis lab
This lab was developed by the cohort to introduce a common biological technique and to apply the use of DNA technology to crime scene investigation. This 5E lab connects the technique of electrophoresis to its use and involves a paper cutting activity to give students the hands on concrete example to connect the new technique to a real world example.
| Genetics and electrophoresis 5 E Lab(s) |
| Genetics and electrophoresis teachers guide |
Cell organelle lab
This lab is modeled after the systems approach to studying biological phenomemon. The idea that cells are composed of organelles is a good way to introduce students to the structure and function of cells, but does not capture the true interplay and complexity of an actual cell.
| cell network 5E Plan |
| factory cell network inquiry Lab WS |
| cell network teachers guide |
Of mice and men
This lab is a genetics lab that itilizes the pure genetic strains of mice from the McLaughlin Research Center. The Power point (of mice and men families) is the engage step
| Genetics of families power point |
| of mice and men lab.pdf |
Protein Modeling lab
Teaching students about the structure of proteins and the dynamic nature of the transcription and translation process and its effect on the resulting protein is often a difficult task. This lab allows the students to make a 3D model of a protein and explore its structure and the effects of a single point mutation it is conformation and subsequent structure using Sickle Cell Anemia as an example. Pipe Cleaners are ok, finding floral foam wire (used for balloon and flower arangements) works much better.
| protein modeling lab.pdf |
Modeling a cell using Cookies
This lab uses edible items and a cookie to model an animal cell (square cookies could be used for plant cells), and guides the students through the process of making a tangible model of a cell (and then they can eat it once it has been evaluated). The rubric is done by the students and checked by the teacher.
| cells are cookies lab.docx |
| cookie cell model rubric.docx |
Genetic disease report, rubic, and list of genetic based diseases
This activity has the students research and present in front of the class their report on a genetic based disease. It involves researcing and scientific literacy, as well as the communication and informational practice in a scientific arena.
| genetic disease report.docx |
| genetic disease list.docx |
Phylo: The Trading Card Game –Materials for Hands-On Game about Energy Flow and Food Chains
http://phylogame.org
Stem Cells Breakthrough – PBS site featuring videos, articles, and supporting materials concerning stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/education/body/stem-cells-breakthrough.html
West Nile Virus – Click and Learn activity from Howard Hughes Medical Institute
http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/birds-people-west-nile-virus-story
Bottle Biology – hands-on biology activities using recycled bottle
www.bottlebiology.org/intro
Population Genetics Software for Evolutionary Analysis
http://faculty.washington.edu/herronjc/Software/Folder/AllelA1.html
Virtual Cell – an educational simulation in which students explore plant cells via a mini submarine
https://wowiwe.net/virtual_cell.php
Fold-it – online protein folding manipulation
http://fold.it/portal/
Influenza Module by the Center for BioMolecular Modeling
http://cbm.msoe.edu/stupro/so/InfluenzaModule.html
Stem Cells – videos
http://cbm.msoe.edu/stupro/so/SOStemCellVideo2010.html
Kaibab Deer Study – Graphing and Comprehension
http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/kaibab.html#.UgsJ6ZJO8QM
Rainbow Measuring Lab
http://www.middleschoolscience.com/rainbowlab.html
Rainbow Density Lab
http://www.omsi.edu/sites/all/FTP/files/chemistry/NH-PDF/NH-A11-DensityRainbow.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a8FWqFnsi4
Cell Membrane Bubble Lab
http://teacherweb.com/OH/DaytonIslamicSchool/MrsAnnSmith/Membrane-Model-Bubble-Lab.pdf
Advance Placement Biology Resources
HHMI AP Biology Lecture Guide
http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/browse
AP Biology Resources with Joan Rasmussen - AP Biology Resources Organized According to Big Ideas
http://biojoan.com
Gummy Bear Osmosis
http://serc.carleton.edu/sp/mnstep/activities/26990.html
Virtual Cell Animation Collections – Animations focused on cellular biology hosted by the Molecular and Cellular Biology Learning Center of North Dakota State University
http://vcell.ndsu.nodak.edu/animations/
The Biology Project – Interactive biology resources hosted by The University of Arizona
www.biology.arizona.edu
The Biology Place by Pearson
http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/
General resources for science and math activities including: videos, animations, interactive activities, simulations, articles, and supporting materials:
http://howtosmile.org
www.pbs.learningmedia.org
Case Studies
SUNY Buffalo University – Science Case Studies
http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/cs/
Health Sciences
http://healthinfo.montana.edu/
Anatomy & Physiology
http://www.anatomylessons.com/
http://www.innerbody.com/
http://www.le.ac.uk/pathology/teach/va/titlpag1.html - Online Autopsy- Case Histories Revealed
http://australianmuseum.net.au/interactive-tools/autopsy/ - Interactive Autopsy
http://sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/skindeep/yourskin/yourskin.html - Skin
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=anatomy-through-the-ages
Brain Based Learning
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=dendrite+gowing&view=detail&mid=D90B63AB5230E942E71BD90B63AB5230E942E71B&first=21&FORM=NVPFVR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpPHoIU_0xI&list=PL8801348703C003EE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD06AfbmFlY&list=PL8801348703C003EE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8U4NMEMSZc&list=PL8801348703C003EE
Ecology/Natural Resources
http://nris.mt.gov/
http://svc.mt.gov/msl/mtcadastral/
http://www.nps.gov/glac/forteachers/7-12-activities.htm - Glacier National Park Activities
http://www.montanaeea.org/
http://www.boone-crockett.org/
http://phylogame.org
Stem Cells Breakthrough – PBS site featuring videos, articles, and supporting materials concerning stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/education/body/stem-cells-breakthrough.html
West Nile Virus – Click and Learn activity from Howard Hughes Medical Institute
http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/birds-people-west-nile-virus-story
Bottle Biology – hands-on biology activities using recycled bottle
www.bottlebiology.org/intro
Population Genetics Software for Evolutionary Analysis
http://faculty.washington.edu/herronjc/Software/Folder/AllelA1.html
Virtual Cell – an educational simulation in which students explore plant cells via a mini submarine
https://wowiwe.net/virtual_cell.php
Fold-it – online protein folding manipulation
http://fold.it/portal/
Influenza Module by the Center for BioMolecular Modeling
http://cbm.msoe.edu/stupro/so/InfluenzaModule.html
Stem Cells – videos
http://cbm.msoe.edu/stupro/so/SOStemCellVideo2010.html
Kaibab Deer Study – Graphing and Comprehension
http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/kaibab.html#.UgsJ6ZJO8QM
Rainbow Measuring Lab
http://www.middleschoolscience.com/rainbowlab.html
Rainbow Density Lab
http://www.omsi.edu/sites/all/FTP/files/chemistry/NH-PDF/NH-A11-DensityRainbow.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a8FWqFnsi4
Cell Membrane Bubble Lab
http://teacherweb.com/OH/DaytonIslamicSchool/MrsAnnSmith/Membrane-Model-Bubble-Lab.pdf
Advance Placement Biology Resources
HHMI AP Biology Lecture Guide
http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/browse
AP Biology Resources with Joan Rasmussen - AP Biology Resources Organized According to Big Ideas
http://biojoan.com
Gummy Bear Osmosis
http://serc.carleton.edu/sp/mnstep/activities/26990.html
Virtual Cell Animation Collections – Animations focused on cellular biology hosted by the Molecular and Cellular Biology Learning Center of North Dakota State University
http://vcell.ndsu.nodak.edu/animations/
The Biology Project – Interactive biology resources hosted by The University of Arizona
www.biology.arizona.edu
The Biology Place by Pearson
http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/
General resources for science and math activities including: videos, animations, interactive activities, simulations, articles, and supporting materials:
http://howtosmile.org
www.pbs.learningmedia.org
Case Studies
SUNY Buffalo University – Science Case Studies
http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/cs/
Health Sciences
http://healthinfo.montana.edu/
Anatomy & Physiology
http://www.anatomylessons.com/
http://www.innerbody.com/
http://www.le.ac.uk/pathology/teach/va/titlpag1.html - Online Autopsy- Case Histories Revealed
http://australianmuseum.net.au/interactive-tools/autopsy/ - Interactive Autopsy
http://sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/skindeep/yourskin/yourskin.html - Skin
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=anatomy-through-the-ages
Brain Based Learning
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=dendrite+gowing&view=detail&mid=D90B63AB5230E942E71BD90B63AB5230E942E71B&first=21&FORM=NVPFVR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpPHoIU_0xI&list=PL8801348703C003EE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD06AfbmFlY&list=PL8801348703C003EE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8U4NMEMSZc&list=PL8801348703C003EE
Ecology/Natural Resources
http://nris.mt.gov/
http://svc.mt.gov/msl/mtcadastral/
http://www.nps.gov/glac/forteachers/7-12-activities.htm - Glacier National Park Activities
http://www.montanaeea.org/
http://www.boone-crockett.org/
Biology Labs modified to include some inquiry
| protein_structure_lab.pdf |
| chemistry_of_proteins.pdf |
| water_quality_testing_lab.pdf |
| animal_behavior_fruit_fly_lab.pdf |
| lawn_quadrat_lab.pdf |
| practicing_quadrat_sampling.pdf |
| mark_recapture_lab.pdf |
Small Mammals Investigation
These labs are part of a small mammals investigation created for Great Falls Public Schools. These labs are for classroom use prior to the actual field investigation day.
| A Mammal Is Notebook Worksheets - for use with Mammal Inquiry Cards below |
| Mammal Inquiry Cards |
| Food Web/Food Chain Lab |
| Mark and Recapture Lab |
| Mark and Recapture Lab Table for Notebooks |
Montana Counties Population
http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mt190090.txt
Mouse research and care at McLaughlin Research center Click here for video
Elementary Science Activities and information
Dr. Seuss Plant Succession Game
http://tiee.ecoed.net/vol/v3/experiments/floristic/synopsis.html
The Lorax’s Save the Trees Game
http://www.seussville.com//games/lorax/game.html
http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mt190090.txt
Mouse research and care at McLaughlin Research center Click here for video
Elementary Science Activities and information
Dr. Seuss Plant Succession Game
http://tiee.ecoed.net/vol/v3/experiments/floristic/synopsis.html
The Lorax’s Save the Trees Game
http://www.seussville.com//games/lorax/game.html