Shark Dissection: A Jawsome Experience!
Workshop Resources Life Science 9-12 High School Dive in and learn how to create your own Shark Week! This session guides participants through a hands-on dissection of a dogfish shark. Take a bite out of Next Generation Science Standards® related to adaptations and structure and function while giving your students an experience they will never […]
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy with Carolina’s Perfect Solution® Specimens
Workshop Resources Life Science 9-12 High School Explore animal diversity by comparing anatomical adaptations of the pig, rat, dogfish, and frog. Participants use hands-on dissection to identify characteristics of these popular vertebrates. This is an excellent comparative dissection activity featuring our very best Carolina’s Perfect Solution® specimens. NGSS Scientific and Engineering Practice: Developing and Using Models […]
Demonstrating Cellular Respiration and Fermentation
Cellular respiration and fermentation are 2 of the most challenging concepts for introductory biology students, who may become so consumed by memorizing steps of the Krebs cycle and glycolysis that they lose sight of the big picture. The following demonstrations place aerobic cell respiration and fermentation firmly in grasp. First, students observe respiration in germinating seeds by detecting the carbon dioxide produced. Next, they observe the carbon dioxide gas produced by yeast fermentation.
Photosynthesis Modeling with Pop Beads
While studying photosynthesis, students can have difficulty understanding how the carbon in CO2Â becomes the carbon in glucose (6H2O + 6CO2?C6H12O6Â + 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 […]
Photosynthesis and Floating Leaf Disks
If you have never tried the leaf disk assay, you are missing out on one of the best photosynthesis labs available. Here’s how to do it. The equipment and supplies needed are inexpensive, simple, and readily available. Materials Syringes, 5 cc or Larger Desk Lamps with 18- to 23-W Fluorescent or LED Bulbs Plastic Straws […]
Using Aquatic Plants to Demonstrate Photosynthesis
Introduction Egeria densa, also known as Elodea densa because of its previously incorrect classification in the Elodea genus, is the most popular aquatic plant used to teach photosynthesis in the classroom. Originally from Brazil, E. densa has spread to temperate regions on all of the continents except Antarctica. Known for its bright green color and leafy stems, E. densa is an excellent oxygenating […]
Flex and Extend: Modeling a Human Hand
Lead students in an engaging and creative project where they build a model that demonstrates the flexing action of the human hand. Students use craft materials and follow the procedure below to assemble a model of the hand. As students learn about the tendons and muscles of their own hands, they are prepared for a […]
Autumn Leaves Craft Project
This activity takes a look at autumn leaves as objects of aesthetic beauty and scientific interest. For this activity, each of your students uses colorful autumn leaves they have collected to create a decorative arrangement on a sheet of waxed paper. You then cover each arrangement with another sheet of waxed paper and seal the […]
Bloody Chlorophyll Lab
“Scare” your students by exciting the electrons of chlorophyll molecules with black light, causing the molecules to release their energy in the form of “bloody” red light in a darkened classroom. Sunlight is white light that is actually a mixture of different wavelengths of light from the visible light spectrum. Photosynthetic plants gather energy from […]
Move Your Classroom Outside
Outdoor Learning Activities Spring is in the air, and if your students are like mine, they’re just itching to be outside. An outdoor classroom, whether a formal classroom area or just an informal gathering spot, is the perfect way to help students maintain focus as the school year winds down. Plan your final quarter with […]