Single-Celled Organisms Unit
This Project Oceanography lesson plan (PDF) explores the symbiotic relationships of single-celled organisms. In this activity, students will compare and contrast three types of symbiotic relationships, describe the relationship between zooxanthellae (a dinoflagellate) and coral, and explain the effects of nitrogen-fixing bacteria on their symbiotic partners. It begins with an introduction to symbiotic relationships, the dinoflagellate/coral system, and cyanobacteria, and then features an interac
Protist Image Data
Protist Image Data (PID) is an online database that provides pictures and short descriptions of selected Protist genera, especially those genera whose species are frequently used as experimental organisms or are important in studies of organismal evolution. Up-to-date information is provided on the morphology, taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of these organisms. Information on PID pages is arranged by the following: Introduction, Appearance, Ultrastructure, Reproduction and Life History,
NCBI: Education
This Web site from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) offers a set of detailed tutorials to help users make full use of NCBI's bioinformatics tools. The tutorials, which target both new and veteran users, cover NCBI's BLAST and PSI-BLAST, Entrez data retrieval system, Cn3D molecular structure software, and more. Additionally, the Science Primer tutorial offers a "basic introduction to the science underlying NCBI resources" geared more toward the general reader.
NCBI More Information: Similarity
This page summarizes the basic concept and vocabulary of sequence similarity searching. It is included for those new to the field who may not appreciate the importance of this technique in biology, who lack the vocabulary to understand the BLAST guide and tutorial or who require a basic rather than a sophisticated understanding of the methods involved. Sections include introduction, premise, terms, general approach, the BLAST algorithm, quantification, gaps, significance, and databases. Users ca
The Goldilocks Zone
This is an article from "Teachable Moments in the News," a newsletter that takes recent Earth and space science related news stories and places them in a context relevant to the science curriculum. This particular edition describes the Goldilocks Zone, a range of environmental conditions that can support life. Teachers are provided a brief introduction, relevant news links, and developed lesson plans. Some lessons are in PDF format. Activity themes include: exploration of environmental condition
Creatures that "glow" in the night
This Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education activity (PDF) encourages students to practice experimental design and scientific writing through the study of bioluminescence. Students observe and experiment with bioluminescent dinoflagellates (Pyrocystis fusiformis), learning how and why they produce light. The activity includes information for teacher preparation, an introduction to bioluminescence, defined vocabulary terms, a list of necessary materials, procedure, assessment questions, and
Alternative discussion formats: museum exhibit design
Designing museum exhibits encourages students to think creatively and to use a wide range of thinking skills.
Reading comprehension: What works?
Teach reading comprehension in the elementary grades with flexible strategies that connect reading to the real world, promote independence, and keep students engaged.
Incorporating oral history into the K-12 curriculum
Oral history techniques for use with students at all levels, from kindergarten through high school.
Ten questions for planning an oral history project
Plan ahead to avoid frustration and to ensure that your students get as much as possible out of an oral history project.
Choosing books that are "just right"
This teacher research study examines how students select books for independent reading and how teachers can help them make choices more appropriate to their reading levels.
Teaching about Thanksgiving
Resources and activities to help you bring historical accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and a broader context to discussions about the quintessentially American holiday.
Finding Common Ground
Finding common ground helps students make informed decisions to conserve temperate forests in the United States and central China, habitat of the endangered giant panda. Through classroom activities, on-line simulations, and field investigations students learn about the important role temperate forests play in local and global ecosystems. Action steps culminate in a Class Conservation Action Plan.
In the course of this curriculum students locate the biome in which they live, explore a local habi
CivilWar@ Smithsonian
This site examines the Civil War through collections of artifacts. Topics include slavery and abolition, Abraham Lincoln, the first Union officer killed, soldiering, weapons, leaders, cavalries, navies, life and culture, Appomattox, Winslow Homer, and Mathematics and Statistics. A Civil War time-line is included.
Water Sourcebooks
The Water Sourcebooks contain 324 activities for grades K-12 divided into four sections: K-2, 3-5, 5-8, and 9-12. Each section is divided into five chapters: Introduction to Water, Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment, Surface Water Resources, Ground Water Resources, and Wetlands and Coastal Waters. This environmental education program explains the water management cycle using a balanced approach showing how it affects all aspects of the environment. All activities contain hands-on investigat
Central and Eastern Europe: Peace Corps
provides lessons about stories, letters, and folk tales from experiences of Peace Corps volunteers in rural and urban areas of Central and Eastern Europe. Topics include folk tales, Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, fear of certain numbers, transition from a state-controlled system to a democracy, school in Ukraine, the importance of speaking another language, storks and cultural icons, and family traditions as macrocosms of larger cultures.
Loodusteaduste visualiseerimine: protsesside virtuaalsed mudelid
TÜ Loodusteadusliku hariduse lektoraadi vastavatel kursustel (Loodusteaduste visualiseerimine) osalenud õpetajate koostatud interaktiivsed mudelid bioloogiliste protsesside tundmaõppimiseks. Kuigi mudeleid ei saa lugeda lõplikult viimistletuks, on nad õppeprotsessi visualiseerimiseks asjakohased: kasvõi ideede saamiseks. Kasutajal on soovitav fail enne oma arvutisse salvestada ning vajadusel täiendada. Koolitus ja praktiline mudelite koostamise õppus rõhutas protsessidele orienteerituse
Gümnasist biotehnoloogia pealispinnal
Artiklis käsitletakse geenitehnoloogiaga seonduvat gümnaasiumi õppekavast põhjalikumalt, ent õpilastele lisamaterjaliks sobivalt. Selgitatakse geenidega manipuleerimise meetodeid, DNA sekveneerimist, DNA-testi molekulaarbioloogilisi aluseid, DNA paljundamist (PCR).
Calisphere Themed Collection - California Local History Mapped: Civic Buildings
Historical images on a map of California show the development of civic buildings--missions, courthouses, city halls, and the State Capitol building--throughout the state.
Calisphere Themed Collection - 1950s-1970s: Social Reform: Everyday Life
The images in this topic provide a glimpse into the daily lives and changing lifestyles of Californians during the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, as the country moved from postwar to protest. From birthday parties and family meals to homecoming rallies and political protests, these photographs reflect how life looked during those years. Two images show Californians interacting with political figures who shaped those decades.
