Search results for: “cheap”
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Investigation: How Can Diffusion Be Observed?
This investigation provides a hands-on way to observe what happens when a chemical moves across a semipermeable membrane. In this case, a cheap plastic bag serves as a model for the cell membrane and shows that iodine will move into the bag and turn the contents purple.
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Investigation: How Do Insects Move?
Have you ever thought about how insects with 6 legs actually crawl? Human movement on two legs is pretty simple: left-right-left-right, but all insects have 6 legs attached to a thorax. In this activity, I ask students to observe an insect closely, usually a dubia roach.
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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: Processes of Science
Students must develop their own causal question about what biological factors affect a person’s lung capacity, Then test their hypothesis using a respirometer.
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Investigation: What Factors Affect Seed Germination?
This activity can be used as part of a unit on plants or as an activity to illustrate the scientific method. The materials are cheap and can be obtained from the grocery store. Students design an experiment to determine what factors affect seed germination. They are given a list of variables that are appropriate…
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Modeling Independent Assortment & Dihybrid Crosses
Students examine how two traits are inherited, revealing that each allele has an equal chance of being passed on to the next generation, the principle of independent assortment.
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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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Investigation: How Does Temperature Affect Respiration Rates
This lab is focused on fish and the metabolism of ectothermic (warm-blooded) animals. The investigation also be useful for beginning students in reinforcing good lab procedures and graphing. I’m always surprised by how many students have difficulty reading thermometers and setting up a water bath. This lab has been redesigned to make it simple and quick.…
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Investigation: Observing Diffusion & Semi-Permeable Membranes
Units on the cell will also include lessons about how the cell transports materials across the membrane. For beginning biology students who don’t have a strong foundation in physical science, the ideas of entropy, solutions, and concentrations can be overwhelming. Diffusion is easy to explain with a perfume bottle or food coloring. …
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External Anatomy of the Grasshopper
Dissection guide for the grasshopper. Focuses on the external anatomy: legs, mouth parts, segments, includes a labeling and coloring.
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Top 10 Classroom Pets
Many science teachers have classroom specimens (or pets) to serve as model organisms, to teach students how to care for animals, and to generally liven up the space. When I first started teaching, I inherited a room that had beautiful cabinets full of specimens preserved in formaldehyde. I wanted a pet in that space…
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Simple Experiments with Biodegradable Packing Peanuts
Describes what to do with all those packing peanuts you’ve received with your science orders. How about these cheap and simple student experiments!
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Observing Diffusion Using Iodine and Plastic Bags
Use simple materials to model diffusion. Place corn starch in a bag and then submerge into a solution of iodine.