Search results for: “science graph”
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Niche Partitioning – Gorongosa Phenomenon
Explore niche partitioning in Gorongosa with this interactive graph and activity.
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Ecology Lesson on Trophic Cascades
This year I decided to change the way I teach the last unit of the year, which is ecology. Our textbook is really old, and not aligned to NGSS. The lessons followed a familiar “old-school” pattern: take notes mainly about definitions, do an activity or lab, then take a quiz. This year, I wanted to…
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Modeling the Alimentary Canal
In this activity, students use string to model the gastrointestinal tract as a scale model. I’ve noticed that students do have difficulty with the concept of scaling, which is one of the crosscutting concepts listed in the NGSS. The directions give students measurements for a 1/3 scale model, the human alimentary canal is about 9…
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Investigation: Gel Electrophoresis and DNA
This procedural lab is a great compliment for genetic studies where students learn about sex linked genes and mutations. The allele for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is located on the X chromosome and is associated with a deletion mutation for that region.
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Case Study: How Do Tibetans Survive High Altitudes
Based on the Berkeley website: Understanding Evolution, this version focuses on the how the body maintains homeostasis at high altitudes. This involves increased production of red blood cells to improve oxygen supplies to tissues. Tibetan populations have adapted to high altitudes by producing fewer red blood cells which improves fetal mortality rates. Case looks…
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Data Analysis: Funky Juncos
View a short video about how a group of birds split from the main population and evolved in relative isolation near a college campus. The film is is 88 minutes long and all of its parts can be viewed at the Juncoproject.com, though for this activity, only one 16 minute chapter is viewed. The…
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Data Analysis: Virginia Opossum and Color Variations
Students examine scatter plots that show phenotype variations among opossums in North America, exhibiting variations in coat color, ear length, and size.
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Investigation: Gene Switches in Stickleback Fish
This activity was modified from HHMI’s “Modeling the Regulatory Switches of the Pitx1 Gene in Stickleback Fish” The activity is presented as a type of investigation or case study where students examine regulatory switches and was a short film that describes the role of the Pitx1 gene in the development of spines. Students can work…
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DNA, Proteins, and Sickle Cell
In this activity, students use a codon chart to compare the DNA sequence of HbA (normal hemoglobin) to HbS (sickle cell). The DNA differs in a single base, where the codon for normal hemoglobin codes for glutamine, and the mutant form codes for valine.
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DNA, Proteins, and Mutations
Students explore how DNA becomes a function protein by using a codon chart to transcribe and translate a gene. They compare the gene found in humans to that found in other animals, deducing that the genes are very similar with only slight changes. Finally, students examine the different types of mutations and how a…
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Evolution: Fact, Fiction, or Opinion
This lesson can be used to introduce evolution and establish what your students already understand (or misunderstand) about evolutionary theory. Statements can be printed and cut into slips and students work in small groups to categorize each statement as either Fact, Fiction, or Opinion. The included answer key has quick explanations as well…
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Case Study: How to Survive a Cholera Epidemic
In this case, students explore how cholera is spread and how it affects the body. The case is divided into four sections, with the first part focusing on the role of clean water supplies and the spread of bacteria. In the second part, the affects of the bacteria are examined, with attention on how the…
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Investigation: Mitosis and Cancer Cells
The first part of this investigation, students examine slides of mitosis in an onion root tip and count the number of cells in each phase of the cell cycle. An equation is then used to estimate the percentage of time the cell spends in each phase and students create a bar graph to display results. …
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Investigation: Two Point Discrimination Test
Students investigate the sensitivity of different areas of the skin using a mathematical compass to stimulate mechanoreceptors. The procedure asks students to place the points of the compass on different areas, such as the forearm and the palm and have a test subject report whether one point is being felt or two points. The compass…
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Photosystems and Chemiosmosis Coloring
Use this coloring worksheet to explore how plant cells harvest energy form the sun to generate ATP in the process known as chemiosmosis.