Tag: microscope
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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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Lab – Comparing Human and Frog Blood Cells
In this hands-on microscopy lab, students investigate how blood cell structure varies across species by comparing human blood and frog blood. Using prepared blood slides, students observe red blood cells under the microscope. They document key differences in size, shape, and internal structures. Human red blood cells are small, circular, and lack a nucleus, an…
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Exploring the Microscope – Canva Version
One of the most exciting tools in any science classroom is the microscope. For many students, it’s their first real glimpse into a hidden world that is usually out of reach. Microscopes open up an incredible, intricate universe filled with tiny details that tell the story of life at its smallest scales. Teaching students to…
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Investigation: Bananas, Starch, and Plastids
Explore the differences between ripe and green bananas in the activity. Green banana cells will have large dark starch granules when stained with iodine.
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Virtual Microscope
This worksheet can be used with the Virtual Microscope where students can place specimens on a stage and use coarse and fine adjustment knobs to magnify up to 100x. Generally, I have my students practice with real microscopes, starting with a basic tutorial lab where they focus on the letter “e.” This virtual lab also…
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StoryLab – Microscope “E”
This Storylab aligns with a basic microscope lab where students learn the parts of the microscope and locate the letter “e’ on a prepared slide.
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Microscope Introduction – Basic “e” Lab
This lab is similar to the “e” lab used with freshman biology, but designed for students in the vocational track. It has less reading and more detailed steps for using the microscope as well as a larger font and bigger spacing.
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Investigation: Exploring Cells
While biologists might find the history of the cell theory fascinating, I notice that many of my students seem to tune-out when you bring up the history of scientific discoveries. In order to save time and improve engagement, I created this lab to include a short history of the cell theory as students explore prepared…
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Using Anchoring Phenomenon with Lessons
Start lessons on osmosis with an activity and anchoring phenomenon. View cells exposed to salt and observe how they change!