Teaching Variation and Selection in the Context of Plant Breeding with Wisconsin Fast Plants
Variation and Selection: Human Food Crop Selection Creates an Engaging Storyline Variation in traits among individuals in a population is such an important concept that it first appears in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)* in first grade, then recurs through middle and high school standards. Yet, if we follow the traditional biology path for […]
Inquiry Is Tough, but So Are You
Innovation is tough in any classroom. However, that’s no reason not to do it! Because high school curricula are typically content-driven, students don’t often have the opportunity to practice learning in novel situations. Many teachers using guided inquiry activities (guided inquiry is a teaching technique, unlike true inquiry where the students direct the learning) have […]
Diffusion—Molecules on the Move
Diffusion: Molecules on the Move Dialysis tubing is an excellent way to simulate the cell membrane’s selective permeability. In this experiment, sealed dialysis tubing containing a test solution of albumin, glucose, sodium chloride, and starch is placed in a cup of distilled water. After 30 to 45 minutes, the tubing is removed from the cup […]
Invasion! Invasive Species Activity
Introduced species (also known as alien, nonnative, nonindigenous, or exotic species) are organisms that have been either accidentally or intentionally brought into an ecosystem in which they were not formerly found. The introduction of an organism may be beneficial, have no effect, or have a negative impact on the ecosystem into which it is released. […]
Hints to Help Students Do Well on the AP® Environmental Science Exam
Advanced Placement (AP) courses have been offered in high schools across the nation since 1965. The push for students to take these advanced courses has caused the programs to grow exponentially. These courses are of a higher level, and after taking an exam at the end of the course, many students get college credit. The […]
Photosynthesis Modeling with Pop Beads
While studying photosynthesis, students can have difficulty understanding how the carbon in CO2 becomes the carbon in glucose (6H2O + 6CO2?C6H12O6 + 6O2). To clarify this concept, have your students create a basic diagram of the Calvin cycle by drawing a large circle on a piece of white drawing paper and dividing the circle into thirds. Use […]
A New Approach to Teaching Atomic Theory
For chemistry teacher Siobhan Julian, teaching the history of atomic theory by lecture “was dry and tedious and boring for everyone involved.†Then she took a fresh approach—one that focuses on doing science to learn science history.
Genetic Witness
It’s not your parents’ biology High school biology can no longer consist merely of traditional lecturing, dissecting frogs, viewing prepared slides, or reducing scientific learning to simple rote memorization. Finding the angle that intrigues even the most uninterested student is the key to successful instruction and comprehension of biological concepts. We all possess an element […]
The Whys and Hows of Writing a Lab Report
This author provides an excellent student lab-report format, explains how it adapts to different science disciplines, and suggests simple labs to familiarize students with it.
Need for Speed
Imagine a world without enzymes. Bread wouldn’t rise. Seeds wouldn’t sprout. Your tasty lunch wouldn’t digest; it would sit in your stomach for weeks … EXACTLY! Life is not possible without enzymes. ALL reactions and processes within an organism depend on enzyme activity. The challenge is helping students understand that enzymes are essential in order […]