An interactive virtual lab that allows students to isolate, copy, sequence and identify bacterial DNA. Excellent supporting information and resources for teachers and students.
A fantastic interactive laboratory in which transgenic flies are created and used to study circadian rhythms. Excellent supporting information and resources for teachers and students.
See James Watson reenact his discovery of the base pairs that form the double helix structure of the DNA molecule. [1:42]
Discovery how chemical reactions can fuel scientific discovery. [5:55]
Through video clips, demonstrations, and inquiry learn how the wing morph functions in the process of evolution. [0:29]
The zebrafish heart is similar to the human heart in many respects. But unlike the human heart, the fish heart closes wounds rapidly and then regenerates to nearly full function. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is an important molecule in the regeneration process. Watch this amazing process in this video. [2.30]
Students learn how to manipulate the behavior of water by using biochar—a soil amendment used to improve soil functions. As a fluid, water interacts with soil in a variety of ways. It may drain though a soil’s non-solid states, or its “pores”; lay above the soil; or move across cell membranes via osmosis. In this experiment, students solve the specific problem of standing water by researching, designing, and engineering solutions that enable water to drain faster. This activity is designed for students to explore how biochar helps soils to act as “sponges” in order to retain more water.
Tara works in aerospace materials research for the U.S. Air Force. She helps create the new composite materials used to build America’s cutting-edge military aircraft. Meet Tara and learn more about careers in biochemical engineering. Engineering Your Future shares real stories from young professionals who want to inform and inspire students about in-demand engineering careers.
How well do you know your acids and bases? This resource will access your understanding and provide tutorials to help you with areas of weakness.
Investigate the diversity of animal life around you
This pathway explores how structural and molecular evidence can be used to determine relationships between plant species.
Explore the patterns and processes of evolution. Learn how evolution and natural selection are reflected in the similarities and differences of organisms. [9:03]
Khan Academy learning modules include a Community space where users can ask questions and seek help from community members. Educators should consult with their Technology administrators to determine the use of Khan Academy learning modules in their classroom. Please review materials from external sites before sharing with students.
Students explore the biosphere's environments and ecosystems, learning along the way about the plants, animals, resources and natural cycles of our planet. Over the course of lessons 2-6, students use their growing understanding of various environments and the engineering design process to design and create their own model biodome ecosystems - exploring energy and nutrient flows, basic needs of plants and animals, and decomposers. Students learn about food chains and food webs. They are introduced to the roles of the water, carbon and nitrogen cycles. They test the effects of photosynthesis and transpiration. Students are introduced to animal classifications and interactions, including carnivore, herbivore, omnivore, predator and prey. They learn about biomimicry and how engineers often imitate nature in the design of new products. As everyday applications are interwoven into the lessons, students consider why a solid understanding of one's environment and the interdependence within ecosystems can inform the choices we make and the way we engineer our communities.
In this multi-day activity, students explore environments, ecosystems, energy flow and organism interactions by creating a scale model biodome, following the steps of the engineering design process. The Procedure section provides activity instructions for Biodomes unit, lessons 2-6, as students work through Parts 1-6 to develop their model biodome. Subjects include energy flow and food chains, basic needs of plants and animals, and the importance of decomposers. Students consider why a solid understanding of one's environment and the interdependence of an ecosystem can inform the choices we make and the way we engineer our own communities. This activity can be conducted as either a very structured or open-ended design.
This is an excellent project where students investigate biodynamic farming techniques. They then collaborate with students from around the world to design an aquaponics system for cultivating fish and plants that can be used in an underdeveloped country, along with an education kit for its use.
In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, scientists discuss their attempts to grow human body parts in a jar.
This exercise contains two interrelated modules that introduce students to modern biological techniques in the area of Bioinformatics, which is the application of computer technology to the management of biological information. The need for Bioinformatics has arisen from the recent explosion of publicly available genomic information, such as that resulting from the Human Genome Project.
A brief introduction to the four building blocks of DNA. [0:25]
Find out about genetic engineering, and how scientists have found a way to insert new genes into bacterial DNA. [1:12]
This narrated animation allows the learner to understand how six feet of DNA can be tightly packed to fit inside the nucleus of every human cell. [1:43]