Fundamental biological structures and processes from microscopic cells and genetic inheritance to complex body systems and global ecosystems. Addresses plant and animal adaptations, trait expression, and the cycles of life and cell division.
A lesson for 7th-8th grade science focusing on the biological and genetic foundations of autism. Students debunk common myths, analyze brain development through video, and research how the brain interacts with other body systems in co-occurring conditions.
A high-level genetics lesson exploring how environmental factors like maternal care and stress trigger epigenetic modifications that influence gene expression across generations. Students analyze the classic Meaney rat study to understand the molecular mechanisms beyond DNA sequences.
Students explore the relationship between gene versions, proteins, and physical traits, focusing on heterozygous and homozygous genotypes using the context of muscle proteins in runners.
A lesson where students learn how gene versions provide instructions for proteins that determine traits, specifically exploring spider silk flexibility and human running ability. Adjusted for a 3rd-grade reading level while maintaining 6th-grade vocabulary.
Students investigate why different spiders produce different types of silk by looking at traits, proteins, and genes. This lesson adapts complex genetic concepts for a 3rd-grade reading level.
Students investigate how different gene versions lead to different proteins and traits, moving from Darwin's Bark Spiders to human athletes. They will model inheritance and apply their findings to real-world runner scenarios.
A 3rd-grade introduction to genetics focusing on how we have two versions of every gene and how small changes in those genes (mutations) can change our traits. Students act as code-breakers to discover how living things get their unique features.
A lesson focused on observing and questioning inherited traits in animals (dogs, cats, and humans) designed for MCAS Alt evidence collection. Students use structured sentence stems to record observations and develop inquiry questions about how traits are passed from parents to offspring.
A hands-on project where students explore their own traits and talents. Students will document their unique 'code' and present their findings through a structured project guide.
Focuses on summarizing Kamal's story and digging deeper into character feelings. Students will compare literal text with implied meaning and practice identifying the main idea and key supporting details.
Students will define and distinguish between inherited traits (hair color, eye color) and talents (singing, sports) using Kamal's story as a guide. They will use a graphic organizer to categorize these features and complete a varied question worksheet.
Students explore the pace of evolutionary change through fossil evidence, comparing gradualism and punctuated equilibrium while analyzing multiple lines of evidence for evolution.
A forensic science lesson focused on fingerprinting collection and preservation, specifically designed to support 10th-grade English learners with TELPAS listening and speaking proficiency.
A STEM-integrated lesson exploring how ancient Aztec and Mesoamerican farmers engineered modern corn through the process of selective breeding, transitioning from wild teosinte grass to the large cobs we eat today.
A middle school science lesson exploring the biological basis and forensic application of DNA fingerprinting. Students simulate gel electrophoresis to solve a robbery while discussing the ethics and accuracy of genetic evidence.
A high school biology lesson exploring the legal and ethical boundaries of genetic engineering through the landmark Supreme Court case Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics. Students analyze the distinction between products of nature and man-made inventions in the context of DNA patenting.
Students explore the parallels between biological and cultural evolution by analyzing the 'Cambrian Explosion' analogy in the context of technological development. The lesson culminates in a sketching activity where students map the 'evolutionary tree' of a modern object.
A hands-on science lesson for Kindergarten and 1st-grade students to discover the uniqueness of fingerprints through observation and activity. Students will explore how police use these unique marks as identification tools.
A High School General Science lesson exploring the evolutionary biology of skin color, the function of melanin, and the debunking of race as a biological category using UV radiation data and genetic evidence.
A fun, introductory lesson on the human skeletal system focusing on four major structures: the skull, rib cage, spine, and femur. Students will learn the functions of these bones through a museum-themed presentation and a labeling activity.
A quick 30-minute introduction to the skeletal system, focusing on its main functions and the names of key bones in the human body. Students will explore how their 'internal frame' helps them move and stay protected.
A high-energy, movement-based review activity where students solve 'medical cases' by identifying body systems and their functions. This lesson includes task cards for a classroom scavenger hunt and a structured recording sheet for students.
A two-block exploration of animal systems, focusing on homeostasis, nutrient absorption, reproduction, and defense mechanisms.
A two-block investigation into plant tissue systems, vascular transport, reproductive adaptations, and environmental responses.
A lesson exploring the symbiotic relationship between humans and gut bacteria, focusing on the gut-brain connection and the impact of nutrition on mood. Students create metaphors for their microbiome and identify ways to support beneficial bacteria.
Students analyze the relationship between chemical structure, mode of delivery, and addiction potential using the 'Speed of Delivery' concept. The lesson features a comparative analysis of substances like heroin vs. morphine and vaping vs. nicotine patches to understand the biological 'why' behind addiction.
This lesson connects behavioral symptoms of schizoaffective disorder to neurotransmitter imbalances and explores the pharmacological mechanisms of antipsychotics and mood stabilizers through research and diagramming.
A clinical diagnostic workshop for nursing and pre-med students focused on applying DSM-5 criteria to differentiate schizoaffective disorder from other mood and psychotic disorders. Students analyze patient case studies and use evidence-based criteria to reach accurate diagnoses.
A middle school science lesson exploring neuroplasticity through medical recovery case studies. Students investigate how the brain 'reroutes' neural pathways after injury using adaptation and recovery strategies.
A 6th-8th grade science and health lesson exploring neuroplasticity through a hands-on yarn simulation and a video-based discussion. Students learn how neural pathways strengthen through use and dissolve through neglect.
This lesson explores the dual approach to treating the five major anxiety disorders, focusing on the physiological mechanisms of medications (SSRIs, Benzos, Beta-blockers) and the cognitive-behavioral shifts of psychotherapy. Students will analyze the 'tandem' treatment model to understand why biological and psychological interventions are often used together for optimal patient outcomes.
A 5th-grade science lesson exploring the biological impact of nature on the human brain, featuring a hands-on outdoor experiment to measure stress levels.
Students investigate the intersection of neurobiology and external substances, analyzing how drugs and hormones alter neurotransmitter function to change a person's perception of reality.
A comprehensive biology lesson for 9th-10th grade students exploring the biological feedback loops between the endocrine and nervous systems during stress, focusing on the role of corticosteroids, the amygdala, and the prefrontal cortex in memory.
This lesson explores the neurological basis of the optimism bias, focusing on the role of the Inferior Frontal Gyrus in belief updating. Students analyze fMRI and TMS data from Tali Sharot's research and simulate a research group to design follow-up experiments while critiquing current neuro-intervention methodologies.
An undergraduate-level neuroscience lesson exploring the physiological and cellular impacts of chronic stress on the brain, specifically focusing on the HPA axis, cortisol-induced neurotoxicity, and the role of BDNF in neuroplasticity.
A high school psychology lesson exploring the physiological impact of chronic stress on brain structures like the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, featuring a video analysis and case study application.
A high school biology lesson exploring the endocrine system's stress response via the HPA axis, the physiological role of cortisol, and the impact of chronic stress on brain structure and homeostasis. Students analyze feedback loops and the brain's neuroplasticity through video analysis and diagramming.
A series of visual anchor charts designed for reference during laboratory investigations into plant vascular systems, photosynthesis, and transpiration.
A foundational science lesson for Kindergarteners exploring the life cycle of a plant from seed to flower and the basic needs required for growth. Students will observe visual stages of growth and identify what plants need to survive.
Explore how plants and other organisms capture solar energy to build life-sustaining sugars while comparing the process to cellular respiration.
A 30-minute independent writing lesson for 2nd graders to explore the role of pollinators in our ecosystem, featuring a word bank and descriptive writing prompts.
Students will learn about the vital role of pollinators in our ecosystem through a short reading passage and independent comprehension activities.
An outdoor exploration where students become 'Baby Detectives' to find and observe different types of babies in nature, including human, animal, and plant life. Students will learn that all living things start small and require care and specific environments to grow.
An introductory lesson for kindergarten students to learn about the basic needs of plants (sun, water, soil) through interactive play.
An interactive kindergarten lesson where students become 'Nature Detectives' to identify living and non-living things through observation and a hands-on sorting game.
Une leçon complète sur la photosynthèse pour le niveau BCPST, couvrant les phases photochimique et chimique, l'organisation du chloroplaste et les bilans énergétiques. Conçue pour servir de base à une révision intensive ou à la création d'un support vidéo.
A comprehensive set of materials designed for MCAS-Alt portfolios, focusing on the plant life cycle (birth, growth, reproduction, and death) through sequencing and model-building.
Focus sur la phase photochimique : structure des photosystèmes, capture et transfert de l'énergie d'excitation, chaîne de transporteurs d'électrons et couplage osmo-chimique pour la synthèse d'ATP et de NADPH. Approche conforme aux exigences du concours BCPST.
Cette leçon explore les mécanismes moléculaires de la phase photochimique : de l'excitation des pigments à la formation de l'ATP et du NADPH. Elle inclut des supports théoriques visuels et une approche expérimentale.
Étude des organismes utilisant des composés minéraux comme source d'énergie et de pouvoir réducteur, avec un focus sur les cycles biogéochimiques.
Exploration des mécanismes d'assimilation du nitrate et de la fixation de l'azote atmosphérique par les symbioses bactériennes.
Analyse des phases claire et sombre de la photosynthèse, incluant la photolyse de l'eau, le transport d'électrons et le cycle de Calvin.
Étude approfondie de l'oxydation du glucose, de la glycolyse au cycle de Krebs, et de la phosphorylation oxydative. Focus sur les rendements en ATP et le rôle des coenzymes.
A kindergarten lesson exploring the characteristics of living things through observation and sorting. Students use 'detective skills' to categorize items and discuss tricky cases like seeds and fire.
Students examine how plants respond to environmental stimuli through tropisms and hormonal signaling.
A lesson exploring the diverse animals that call trees their home, focusing on identification and the specific parts of the tree they inhabit.
Students explore the ecosystem beneath the forest floor, focusing on animals that create tunnels and live among tree roots.
A lesson exploring the characteristics, classification, and social behavior of prehistoric Sabertooth cats.
Focuses on reading security logs, understanding time formats (24h vs 12h), and using logic to follow a suspect's movement through keycard data.
Focuses on descriptive language, memory reliability, and the 'mugshot' process. Students learn to describe suspects and identify inconsistencies in witness stories.
A simplified murder mystery investigation. Students use a detective dossier with B1-level text to solve the crime of Professor Thorne. Includes sentence frames for final accusations.
Students explore how fingerprints and DNA help identify people. The lesson uses clear, visual steps to explain identification techniques and Locard's Exchange Principle.
Students learn essential crime-solving vocabulary (alibi, evidence, suspect) and practice categorizing physical vs. testimonial clues using simplified English and visual supports.
An exploration of specialized forensic techniques, focusing on fingerprint classification, DNA profiling basics, and the microscopic analysis of hair and fibers to connect suspects to a scene.
Students master the foundational vocabulary of forensic science, including terms like alibi, chain of custody, and trace evidence, while learning to categorize different types of physical and testimonial evidence.
A 90-minute immersive murder mystery experience where students apply forensic techniques to solve the death of a prominent professor. They will analyze evidence, evaluate witness statements, and build a case based on deductive reasoning.
A lesson exploring the unique life cycle of periodical cicadas and how their emergence patterns help them survive and reproduce.
Students explore the fascinating life cycle of periodical cicadas, focusing on their unique 13 and 17-year schedules and how this behavior helps them survive against predators.
A lesson introducing students to various ecosystems through vocabulary and visual identification. Students will learn the key characteristics of different biomes including forests, deserts, and oceans.
Students explore the neuroscience of neural pruning, simulating how the brain maintains efficient networks and investigating how disruptions in this process contribute to the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Synthèse de la notion de cellule et évaluation des acquis.
Observation d'organismes composés d'une seule cellule comme les levures ou les paramécies.
Observation des cellules animales à travers l'épithélium buccal humain.
Découverte du microscope et observation des cellules végétales d'oignon.
A comprehensive lesson exploring the evolution of hunting from ancient survival to modern conservation, including economic impacts and ethical debates surrounding biodiversity.
A foundational MLL lesson for 1st grade students focused on oral language and visual recognition of animals and their habitats (Forest, Ocean, Desert). The lesson emphasizes Total Physical Response (TPR), visual matching, and basic phonics connections.
A comprehensive lesson investigating aquatic ecosystems through leaf pack analysis. Students identify macroinvertebrates, explore their specialized adaptations, and evaluate how human activities impact water quality and biodiversity.
A post-dissection lesson focused on analyzing owl pellet data to understand ecological relationships and energy flow, with materials specifically designed for both 9th grade (quantitative analysis) and 5th grade (qualitative observation and basic food chains).
A comprehensive lesson exploring the history, economics, biodiversity impacts, and ethical dilemmas of global fishing. Students will analyze commercial and recreational practices, examine international regulations, and debate the socio-ecological consequences of various fishing management scenarios.
Review key concepts and assess student understanding of unicellular organism structures and functions.
Compare the photosynthetic Euglena and the colonial Volvox, examining their light-sensing eyespots and movement.
Investigate the structures and survival strategies of the Amoeba and Paramecium, focusing on movement and food acquisition.
Students will investigate the drastic differences in bacterial reproduction rates by comparing E. coli and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, analyzing how growth speed dictates the nature of a disease and the complexity of its treatment.
This lesson explores the cell cycle with a specific focus on the difference between cell growth in Interphase (G1/G2) and physical division in Mitosis (M). Students use clay modeling to visualize why a cell must 'eat for two' before it can successfully split into functional daughter cells.
A high-energy, kinesthetic lesson where 9th-grade biology students act out the phases of mitosis to understand the mechanical movement of DNA and organelles during cell division.
Students explore why cells divide, focusing on growth and repair. Using the 'scraped knee' analogy, they identify the cell cycle as a maintenance process and create a 'Repair Crew Diagram' to visualize cellular replacement.
A high school biology lesson exploring how cell cycle checkpoints prevent cancer and how DNA copying errors lead to aging, featuring a creative game design activity.
A comprehensive biology lesson for 8th graders on the cell cycle, featuring a video-guided lecture, a hands-on 'Cell Cycle Wheel' paper plate activity, and discussion on growth, division, and cancer.
A comprehensive lesson exploring the history of Cell Theory, featuring a video-based timeline, a collaborative speed-dating activity, and a deep dive into the scientists who discovered the building blocks of life.
Students will investigate the dual nature of bacteria, categorizing them as 'Heroes' or 'Villains' while exploring their roles in food production, human health, and the environment. This lesson features a video-based investigation, a hands-on sorting activity, and critical thinking about microscopic life.
A lesson exploring the rapid and fascinating reproductive methods of fungi and microorganisms like bacteria and yeast, featuring a hands-on modeling activity.
This lesson explores the biological timeline of human development from fertilization through adulthood. Students will watch a detailed video, take notes on physiological changes, and collaborate on a large-scale visual timeline to identify key developmental milestones.
A hands-on biology lesson where students explore the journey from a single zygote to a complex embryo using modeling clay to visualize cell division and the formation of germ layers.
A high school biology lesson comparing cytokinesis in plant and animal cells through video analysis and a 'Microscope Detectives' investigative activity. Students identify structural differences like the cell plate and cleavage furrow using real-world cellular evidence.
A comprehensive lesson exploring the stages of the cell cycle, focusing on the distinction between Interphase (G1, S, G2) and M-Phase. Students use a video guide and creative modeling to understand cellular growth and division.
A hands-on Life Science lesson where students explore the cell cycle through video analysis and a tactile 'Cookie Mitosis' activity using Oreos and sprinkles to model chromosome movement.
A creative biology lesson where students learn about the cell cycle through the perspective of a cell, culminating in a three-part narrative writing assignment.
A high school biology lesson focusing on the regulatory mechanisms of the cell cycle, the role of cyclins, and how failure in these systems leads to cancer. Students will analyze video evidence, participate in a Socratic seminar, and reflect on cellular control.
Students explore the explosive nature of exponential growth through the lens of bacterial reproduction (binary fission). They compare a financial growth riddle to biological doubling, calculate cell counts over time, and graph the resulting curve to understand how microscopic organisms become visible colonies.
Students explore the microscopic world of yeast, conducting a hands-on experiment to witness carbon dioxide production and understanding fungal reproduction through budding.
A High School Biology lesson exploring the biological definition of a species through the lens of hybrid animals, featuring video analysis, small-group debate, and written reflection.
An advanced biology lesson focusing on mutagens, oncogenes, and cellular defense mechanisms like p53. Students take on the role of genetic investigators to analyze how DNA is attacked and protected.
A comprehensive exploration of the four major classes of organic macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, focusing on their structural components and biological functions.
A lightning-fast mini-lab where students decode genetic information using diagrams of transcription and translation, followed by a STAAR-style SCR assessment.
A high school interdisciplinary lesson combining Biology and History to explore the discovery of DNA, the role of Rosalind Franklin, and the ethics of scientific credit. Students participate in a mock trial to debate who truly deserved the Nobel Prize for the double helix structure.
An undergraduate-level introductory archaeology/anthropology lesson exploring the relationship between environmental shifts—such as plate tectonics and volcanic eruptions—and the biological and cultural evolution of early hominids.
Students act as detectives to solve a fictional robbery using the evolving science of DNA fingerprinting. They evaluate the difference between circumstantial and direct evidence, explore the history of wrongful convictions, and debate the ethical implications of DNA databases.
A lesson exploring human evolution through the lens of the Toba catastrophe and mitochondrial DNA. Students simulate a genetic bottleneck to understand why modern humans share such high genetic similarity.
This lesson explores the biological and evolutionary roots of human aggression and conflict, contrasting them with cultural institutions and individual free will. Students analyze the "biological imperative" to survive and reproduce as a driver for historical and modern warfare.
Explore the evolutionary link between Archaea and Eukarya through the lens of DNA replication machinery and the debate between the Three-Domain and Two-Domain (Eocyte) hypotheses.
A comprehensive introduction to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, exploring the unique characteristics, abiotic factors, and specialized adaptations of organisms within various global habitats including sand dunes.
