This interactive resource adapted from NASA describes the different temperature, precipitation, and …
This interactive resource adapted from NASA describes the different temperature, precipitation, and vegetation patterns in seven biomes: coniferous forest, temperate deciduous forest, desert, grassland, rainforest, shrubland, and tundra.
Students learn about biomimicry and how engineers often imitate nature in the …
Students learn about biomimicry and how engineers often imitate nature in the design of innovative new products. They demonstrate their knowledge of biomimicry by practicing brainstorming and designing a new product based on what they know about animals and nature.
This pathway provides an overview of the four classes of biological molecules …
This pathway provides an overview of the four classes of biological molecules (lipids, carbohydrages, proteins and nucleotides) and how they are assembled.
This pathway introduces how DNA can be manipulated using different molecular tools …
This pathway introduces how DNA can be manipulated using different molecular tools and techniques. For a deeper look at this topic, we recommend the pathway Biotechnology and Genomics from the OpenStax textbook Biology for AP® Courses.
Calling all parents! Kids are full of tough-to-answer questions. Maybe you've gotten …
Calling all parents! Kids are full of tough-to-answer questions. Maybe you've gotten this line of inquiry: "Why do we walk the way we do? How do four-legged animals walk the way they do? How did people of the past—like Lucy—walk?" Get one step ahead (pun intended!) by watching this Museum Monday video. See demonstrations of the different ways bodies are structured to accommodate locomotion, then share this fun activity with curious minds.
Have you ever noticed the types of beaks different birds have? The …
Have you ever noticed the types of beaks different birds have? The most important fucntion of b ird bill is feeding, and it is shaped according to what a bird eats. The bill is one of the characteristics used to identify birds. You can learn about bird behavious by looking at the bill and thinking about what it easts. Then you may think about where it lives, and so on.
There are almost as many types of bird beaks as there are …
There are almost as many types of bird beaks as there are types of food that birds like to eat. This collection of images shows a wide range of beaks and the types of foods handled by each.
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s ornithology collection of approximately 35,000 research …
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s ornithology collection of approximately 35,000 research specimens covers more than a century of ornithological exploration around the world, with an emphasis on species native to Ohio. Each specimen is meticulously prepared for use in scientific analysis. In this specimen spotlight, learn about all the information we can glean from just one specimen with host Lee Hall and William A. and Nancy R. Klamm Endowed Chair and Curator of Ornithology Dr. Andy Jones. Worksheets available for grades 7-8 and 9-12.
Have you ever seen a dinosaur graveyard? Get your chance during this …
Have you ever seen a dinosaur graveyard? Get your chance during this week’s edition of Scientist Saturdays. Researchers estimate this event—which resulted in a mass grave of Coelophysis bauri casualties—took place about 225 million years ago, during the Late Triassic. The small dinosaurs were likely congregating around a watering hole when they perished in a freak accident (probably a monsoon, based on the evidence) and were quickly buried and preserved. Learn more about the painstaking work of Museum paleontologists to extract the fossilized Coelophysis skeletons from the block. Worksheets available for grades 7-8 and 9-12.
Students investigate the bone structure of a turkey femur and then create …
Students investigate the bone structure of a turkey femur and then create their own prototype versions as if they are biomedical engineers designing bone transplants for a bird. The challenge is to mimic the size, shape, structure, mass and density of the real bone. Students begin by watching a TED Talk about printing a human kidney and reading a news article about 3D printing a replacement bone for an eagle. Then teams gather data—using calipers to get the exact turkey femur measurements—and determine the bone’s mass and density. They make to-scale sketches of the bone and then use modeling clay, plastic drinking straws and pipe cleaners to create 3D prototypes of the bone. Next, groups each cut and measure a turkey femur cross-section, which they draw in CAD software and then print on a 3D printer. Students reflect on the design/build process and the challenges encountered when making realistic bone replacements. A pre/post-quiz, worksheet and rubric are included. If no 3D printer, shorten the activity by just making the hand-generated replicate bones.
Director of Natural Areas and Curator of Botany Dr. Jim Bissell explains …
Director of Natural Areas and Curator of Botany Dr. Jim Bissell explains why it's important for us to care for native plants in Northeast Ohio and gives us a look at the collections of the Botany Department. Worksheet available for grade 5.
In this lesson, students will explore the structures of generalized and specialized …
In this lesson, students will explore the structures of generalized and specialized cells like brain cells, by engaging with the Looking Inside: Cells VR app, then applying that knowledge to a neuron activity worksheet. Students will then connect structure and function in a neuron by exploring neural networks and communication through the Build Your Network digital interactive. This lesson plan is 1 of 2 that are meant to be taught in sequence, as students apply the knowledge from lesson 1 to lesson 2.
Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.
Technology required for this lesson: Laptop/Desktop, VR Headset (Optional).
This lesson is designed to introduce students to the unique structure of …
This lesson is designed to introduce students to the unique structure of neurons and how they communicate with each other through cell structure review via the Looking Inside: Cells app and a hands-on neurotransmission game. This lesson plan is 2 of 2 that are meant to be taught in sequence, as students apply the knowledge from lesson 1 to lesson 2.
Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.
Technology required for this lesson: Laptop/Desktop, VR Headset (Optional).
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