In this video adapted from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, learn about carnivorous plants that act as both producers and consumers in an ecosystem. See sundews and blatterworts capture and digest insects.

Join us for a talk on CRISPR by Jessica Whited, Assistant Professor of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University. Dr. Whited studies limb regeneration in axolotl salamanders, with the ultimate goal of discovering how to regenerate limbs in patients. Her work involves using Cas9-mediated gene drives to generate axolotls with the desired genetic backgrounds. Recorded live: July 30th, 1 – 2:30 pm EDT.

Curator & John Otis Hower Chair of Archaeology Dr. Brian Redmond discusses evidence of rare ceremonial activities at an archaeological site in Northern Ohio dated around 300 B.C. Learn more about the first peoples of Ohio with Dr. Redmond’s special encore presentation after the video debuts. Worksheets available for grades 4-5 and 7-9.

In this lesson, the students look at the components of cells and their functions. The lesson focuses on the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Each part of the cell performs a specific function that is vital for the cell's survival. Bacteria are single-celled organisms that are very important to engineers. Engineers can use bacteria to break down toxic materials in a process called bioremediation, and they can also kill or disable harmful bacteria through disinfection.

This pathway provides an introduction to cellular mechanisms of communication, highlighting one of the primary mechanisms: signal transduction pathways. For a deeper look at this topic, we recommend the pathway Cell Communication from the OpenStax textbook Biology for AP® Courses.

This pathway provides an introduction to the cell cycle and how its regulation is important to normal cell division. Cancer is often caused by unregulated cell division. For a deeper look at this topic, we recommend the pathway Cell Reproduction from the OpenStax textbook Biology for AP® Courses.

This pathway explores division of cells through mitosis and meiosis and how disregulation of these processes can lead to disease.

Students color-code a schematic of a cell and its cell membrane structures. Then they complete the "Build-a-Membrane" activity found at http://learn.genetics.utah.edu. This reinforces their understanding of the structure and function of animal cells, and shows them the importance of being able to construct a tangible model of something that is otherwise difficult to see.

Students learn about the different structures that comprise cell membranes, fulfilling part of the Research and Revise stages of the legacy cycle. They view online animations of cell membrane dynamics (links provided). Then they observe three teacher demonstrations that illustrate diffusion and osmosis concepts, as well as the effect of movement through a semi-permeable membrane using Lugol's solution.

This pathway introduces the structure of cell membranes and how they function in cellular transport.

Combine your iPhone or tablet with a 3D-printed clip and glass sphere to create an inexpensive, yet powerful, microscope. Download the files listed at the bottom of the page to print your own microscope.

Scientists at PNNL have designed a 3D-printable microscope for mobile devices using pennies worth of plastic and glass materials. The microscope has a wide range of uses, from education to in-the-field science.

In this unit, students look at the components of cells and their functions and discover the controversy behind stem cell research. The first lesson focuses on the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In the second lesson, students learn about the basics of cellular respiration. They also learn about the application of cellular respiration to engineering and bioremediation. The third lesson continues students' education on cells in the human body and how (and why) engineers are involved in the research of stem cell behavior.

This pathway explores the different types of cells, including eukaryotic, prokaryotic and plant cells, and their structures.

In the three-lesson module Cells and Models, students explore the use of models in science as they compare the benefits and limitations of various representations of an animal cell, including the Looking Inside: Cells app, and develop a cell model of their own. In this extension, students refine their cell model to illustrate cell specialization.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Laptop/Desktop, VR Headset (Optional).

In the three-lesson module Cells and Models, students explore the use of models in science as they compare the benefits and limitations of various representations of an animal cell, including the Looking Inside: Cells app, and develop a cell model of their own. In this extension lesson, students use the example of nerve cell networks to explore modeling of multi-cell systems.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Laptop/Desktop, VR Headset (Optional).

In the three-lesson module Cells and Models, students explore the use of models in science as they compare the benefits and limitations of various representations of an animal cell, including the Looking Inside: Cells app, and develop a cell model of their own. Optional extensions expand students’ learning as they refine a cell model to illustrate cell specialization or explore modeling cell systems through the example of nerve cells.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Laptop/Desktop, VR Headset (Optional).

In the three-lesson module Cells and Models, students explore the use of models in science as they compare the benefits and limitations of various representations of an animal cell, including the Looking Inside: Cells app, and develop a cell model of their own. Optional extensions expand students’ learning as they refine a cell model to illustrate cell specialization, or explore modeling cell systems through the example of nerve cells.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Laptop/Desktop, VR Headset (Optional).

In the three-lesson module Cells and Models, students explore the use of models in science as they compare the benefits and limitations of various representations of an animal cell, including the Looking Inside: Cells app, and develop a cell model of their own. Optional extensions expand students’ learning as they refine a cell model to illustrate cell specialization, or explore modeling cell systems through the example of nerve cells.

Estimated time required: 1-2 class periods.

Technology required for this lesson: Laptop/Desktop, VR Headset (Optional).

Cellular respiration is the process by which our bodies convert glucose from food into energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Start by exploring the ATP molecule in 3D, then use molecular models to take a step-by-step tour of the chemical reactants and products in the complex biological processes of glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, the Electron Transport Chain, and ATP synthesis. Follow atoms as they rearrange and become parts of other molecules and witness the production of high-energy ATP molecules.