General Biology Fall 2008
This course is a general introduction to cell structure and function, molecular and organism genetics, animal development, form and function.
Vinegar and baking soda
Vinegar is an acid. An acid has a pH less than 7. When baking soda is added to vinegar, bubbles are produced and gas is released. Fizzing, bubbling, and change in smell are all evidence of a chemical reaction. The amount of gas produced using baking soda as an indicator tells you the relative concentration ...
USGS Bedform Sedimentology
This site presents a collection of photographs, short movies, classifications, and computer-generated images for identifying various types of bedforms. Viewing of movies and 3D dynamic computer-modeled bedforms allows students to observe the creation, internal structure, and migration of bedforms through time. Photographs depict these processes in the real world. In addition, software for simulating ripple and dune bedforms and crossbedding is available for a free download. The site also feature
This Dynamic Earth: The Story of Plate Tectonics
In the early 1960s, the emergence of the theory of plate tectonics started a revolution in the earth sciences. Since then, scientists have verified and refined this theory, and now have a much better understanding of how our planet has been shaped by plate-tectonic processes. We now know that, directly or indirectly, plate tectonics influences nearly all geologic processes, past and present. Indeed, the notion that the entire Earth's surface is continually shifting has profoundly changed the way
034 Special Exhibition: Art of the Korean Renaissance
The dynamic works featured in the exhibition “Art of the Korean Renaissance, 1400–1600” provide a glimpse into the extraordinary artistic and cultural renaissance that took place in Korea during the early Joseon dynasty. Soyoung Lee, the exhibition’s curator, narrates. The exhibition is on view from March 17 through June 21, 2009.
General Biology I
An integrated course stressing the principles of biology. Life processes are examined primarily at the molecular and cellular levels. Intended for students majoring in biology or for non-majors who wish to take advanced biology courses.
Thermochemistry
You can access the problems below via the Load Homework dialogue in the File menu of the Virtual Lab. They have been organized by concept and ranked by difficulty (A ranking of 1 denotes an easier problem; 5 is more challenging). Word files for these problems are provided so that you may edit and distribute the assignments in your classroom. The following types of problems can be found: Determining the Heat of Reactions in Aqueous Solution, Coffee, Coolant, Camping, ATP Reaction (Thermochemistry
Using Molecular Weight
A previous tutorial shows how to calculate the molecular weight of a substance from the atomic weights given. On this page, we use the molecular weight to convert between the macroscopic scale (grams of a substance) and the microscopic scale (number of molecules of that substance).
Mouse Party
In this interactive activity from The University of Utah, examine the molecular mechanisms that affect the brains of mice on drugs. Learn how different drugs create different responses in the brain and alter the natural state of a mouse.
Mechanics Mania
Through ten lessons and numerous activities, students explore the natural universal rules engineers and physicists use to understand how things move and stay still. Together, these rules are called "mechanics." The study of mechanics is a way to improve our understanding of everyday movements, such as how gravity pulls things together, how objects balance, spin and twirl, and how things fly and fall. While studying Newton's three laws of motion, students gain hands-on experience with the concept
Charges and Fields
Move point charges around on the playing field and then view the electric field, voltages, equipotential lines, and more. It's colorful, it's dynamic, it's free.
Nuclear Physics
Start a chain reaction, or introduce non-radioactive isotopes to prevent one. Watch alpha particles escape from a Polonium nucleus, causing radioactive alpha decay. Control energy production in a nuclear reactor!
Reversible Reactions
Watch a reaction proceed over time. How does total energy affect a reaction rate? Vary temperature, barrier height, and potential energies. Record concentrations and time in order to extract rate coefficients. Do temperature dependent studies to extract Arrhenius parameters.
Salts & Solubility
Add different salts to water, then watch them dissolve and achieve a dynamic equilibrium with solid precipitate. Compare the number of ions in solution for highly soluble NaCl to other slightly soluble salts. Relate the charges on ions to the number of ions in the formula of a salt. Calculate Ksp values.
Molecular Motors
Discover what controls how fast tiny molecular motors in our body pull through a single strand of DNA. How hard can the motor pull in a tug of war with the optical tweezers? Discover what helps it pull harder. Do all molecular motors behave the same?
From Page to Stage
Musical theater book writers, lyricists, and composers have long looked to literature for their inspiration and subject material. In this lesson, students will compare and contrast literary works and the musicals they inspired. Utilizing video clips and Web sites, students will compare specific passages from original texts to moments in Broadway musicals on which they were based, and analyze similarities and differences between the two. As a culminating activity, students will try their hand at
Hey, Mr. Producer!
It's not that uncommon for secondary school students to study the ups and downs of the stock market, but in this lesson, students will examine the economic roller coaster involved in the production of a Broadway musical. As an introduction to the lesson, students will read a series of online articles to investigate the similarities and differences between nonprofit theater production and Broadway, or commercial, theater production. They will view excerpts from the PBS series BROADWAY: THE AMERIC
We'd Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover
Since the advent of book musicals such as "Show Boat" and "Oklahoma!", many Broadway shows have touched upon relevant social and historical issues. In this lesson, students will investigate how Broadway musicals can reflect the times in which they were created. Students will examine video clips and Web sites related to relevant productions, study song lyrics, and compare and contrast actual history with Broadway history. By becoming "historical detectives," they will determine how accurately Bro
Understanding Your Water
Over two class periods, you will be guiding your students through the basics of water treatment -- both tap water treatment and sewage (or wastewater) treatment. To prepare for the lessons on the treatment process, the students will be researching where their drinking water comes from and where their wastewater goes once it goes down the drain for homework. After learning about their local water treatment and traditional tap water and sewage treatment processes, students will watch the NewsHour
Seasonal Migrations: Gray Whales
Students "join" volunteers who count gray whales migrating past California on their journey to the frigid Arctic. Through these interrelated investigations, students discover that sunlight drives all living systems and they learn about the dynamic ecosystem that surrounds and connects them. Guidelines, lessons, activities, reading connections, and interactive maps are included for each study. Spring Only: Updates: February-June.
