In this life science field investigation students will study golden rod gall populations within a patch of goldenrods.

Links to resources and information about gorillas, their health, and conservation from the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

In this biology lab extension, student will have already collected leaves from the playground and surrounding school areas and sorted them into categories according to leaf properties. Students will use the leave classifications/ sorts to graph the properties of the leaves.

Green Space Investigation will be the opening activity for an introductory unit in Biology. Purpose of the activity is to model scientific thinking and experience how science is conducted using a confined green space adjacent to a classroom. The activity can be conducted with minimal material needs or can develop into a more elaborate investigation.

There is a lot of resistance to genetic modification and the use of genetically modified crops. What is the science? This unit helps to provide some background in cell function and DNA properties, helping students to understand how genetic modification can make a difference. The developments in biotechnology are highlighted and students create a marketing campaign for GMO’s. This unit features 6 lessons and 7 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

We are bombarded by new foods every time we go into a grocery store or watch television. Where are all of these foods coming from? Food science is the answer. This AFNR unit introduces several aspects of food science. Students investigate the issue of food safety, the chemistry, biology and physics involved in making some foods, and create a package design to market a new food product. This unit features 6 lessons and 8 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Each plant is classified according to broad categories based on characteristics they share. New DNA technology has allowed us to be more specific in determining the “relatives” of plants. This activity helps students understand the various ways of classifying to show these different relationships. Use HHMI Biointeractive Click and Learn lesson: Creating Phylogenetic Trees from DNA Sequences for additional background information. This unit features 5 lessons and 9 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Animal nutrition focuses on the dietary needs of animals—not just those in agriculture and food production, but also in zoos, aquariums, and wildlife management. Pets need good nutrition, too. In this lesson, students compare pet foods. This unit features 3 lessons and 6 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

In vitro collecting (IVC) is the process of starting plant tissue cultures with minimal disturbance to the plants when viable seeds are not available. Become the field researcher and learn how to collect tissue samples in a non-sterile environment using aseptic techniques. Use standard laboratory operating procedures (SLOPs) to prepare media for the IVC process. This unit features 3 lessons and 7 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Create a cookbook to learn Standard Operating Procedures for food safety and environmental monitoring. Test for proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids and compare plant and animal protein. This unit features 5 lessons and 16 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Make biochar, a soil amendment, by making and using a model top light updraft (TLUD) pyrolysis kiln or oven. This unit features 1 lesson and 1 file. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

International markets are very important to soybean farmers across the globe. In this unit, students in a Spanish language class will explore the idea of a bioeconomy and research case studies of Spanish-speaking countries trying to compete in the global marketplace by growing soybeans. This curriculum has been designed as a transdisciplinary 2-week unit using the theme of sustainability to combine proficiency-based world language pedagogy with the real-world relevance of problem-based learning at the heart of STEM education. This unit features 5 lessons and 17 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Bioproducts are chemicals, energy, and materials that are produced from renewable biological resources. This unit features 3 lessons and 4 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Do your students struggle to understand the “central dogma” of biology? Are you looking for innovative teaching techniques? This unit is an integrated art and science project to teach transcription and translation, which is also known as “central dogma”. This process explains how sequences of DNA are interpreted by organelles in the cell and are expressed as specific proteins. It is a core idea in understanding molecular genetics. Students will create a three-paneled work of art that models the process of transcription and translation. Explicit instructions make this unit accessible to science teachers. This unit features 4 lessons and 15 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

This STEM-based poultry curriculum uses immersive learning experiences and real genetic samples for your students to dive deep in the future evolution of our food. See how environment influences heredity, and explore the evidence that suggests T. rex as our modern chicken’s and turkey’s ancestor. This unit features 4 lessons and 10 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

This unit leads students through the process of setting up gel electrophoresis chambers, understanding the mechanics, and experimenting with various aspects of running gels. This unit features 3 lessons and 13 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Grow soybeans using Round-Up Ready seeds to illustrate how biotechnology can be used as a tool to increase production. Introduce students to different options for growing soybeans, investigate no-till farming versus conventional cultivation and the effects of each on soil fertility, and analyze Round-up Ready soybean growth. Students share the results of their investigations in a technical paper. This unit features 3 lessons and 9 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

The H2Know case study invites students to investigate water quality in Lake Erie. Students will gather information about the problem, consider potential contributors and environmental factors, review data and research happening in the field, and engage in discussions and activities related to effective solutions that will improve the water quality of Lake Erie. This unit features 1 lesson and 1 file. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Take on multiple roles within an aquaculture farm including set-up and maintenance of tanks, test water quality, investigate possible feed sources and monitor fish health and growth. This unit features 5 lessons and 9 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Use hula hoops and math to predict how many bushels of soybeans are growing in a particular field. This fun activity was tested with 500 6th graders from Newark City Schools at the Devine Farms in Hebron, Ohio and is an adaptation of an actual yield prediction method used by extension agents from Purdue University. This unit features 1 lesson and 2 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.