Tag: growth
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Investigation – Root Growth and Cell Division
Understanding plant hormones becomes much clearer for students when they connect hormone function directly to visible growth patterns, especially in roots of actively dividing tissues. In this classroom activity, students explore how auxin promotes root initiation, then view the dividing cells with a microscope. The introductory text explains how plant hormones work to stimulate root…
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Characteristics of Life
Students read descriptions of animals and match to one of the characteristics of life: energy, cells, DNA, growth, response, and homeostasis.
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Human Population Growth
Students graph population estimates for years ranging from 1650 to 2012. The graph will show an exponential growth curve which students analyze to determine how frequently the population doubles. Students also explore the concepts of carrying capacity and growth rates. Questions ask students to discuss what happens when the earth exceeds its carrying capacity and…
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Inquiry in Genetics Using Wisconsin Fast Plants
Genetic Experiments can be intimidating for teachers due to the time and cost of breeding plants or animals in a classroom. These issues are further complicated in a public school setting which may have space issues, limited funds, and lack of access to labs. My favorite model for genetic experiments is the Wisconsin Fast…
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Photosynthesis Lab – How Light Color Affects Growth
A virtual simulator that shows how plant growth changes in response to the color of light. Students measure the heights of plants grown under different colors.
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Growing Sponge Animals
This simple activity provides an introduction to laboratory techniques and data collection. Students measure how a sponge animal toy grows when submerged in cold and warm water.
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Case Study: Loggerhead Turtles and Population Models
Students explore population models by focusing on the reproductive strategy of sea turtles.