938 biology-life-science results | sort by:
Ecology-Definition-Examples-Explanation - MooMooMath and Science
Grades
6 to 8tag(s): ecology (107), ecosystems (93)
In the Classroom
Have students explore the classroom, schoolyard, or images to find examples of biotic and abiotic components in an ecosystem. Students can choose an ecosystem and draw a food web using MindMup reviewed here labeling producers, consumers, decomposers, and the flow of energy. Assign students to write analogies comparing an ecosystem to something familiar (ex., a school, a car engine).You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
5 WOW Factor Ecological Relationships Activities - Bright in the Middle
Grades
6 to 8tag(s): ecology (107), ecosystems (93)
In the Classroom
Start the unit with a hook by introducing Demodex mites--microscopic organisms that live on human skin. Show a short video or image, then ask students to hypothesize the type of relationship (mutualism, commensalism, or parasitism) that exists. Have students examine curated images of organisms in pairs or small groups and sort them into categories (mutualism, commensalism, parasitism, predation, competition). They should justify their choices with evidence. Have students invent an organism and design its ecological relationships. Then have them draw the creature, describe its niche, and explain at least two relationships (ex., its predator, its symbiotic partner). They can create a 3D model of their creature using Delightex reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Wildlife Ecology Basics - Michigan State University Extension
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): animals (295), conservation (103), ecosystems (93), endangered species (28), environment (252), forests (32), habitats (101), population (53)
In the Classroom
After learning about basic habitat needs (food, water, shelter, space), give students cards with different Michigan animals and habitat types. Have them match each animal to its correct habitat based on clues from the website. Using the site's information on forest animals, students can create a forest food web poster or digital web using Canva Edu reviewed here showing the connections between producers, consumers, and decomposers. Using the site's information on forest succession, have students create a timeline using Sutori reviewed here or Timeline Infographic Templates reviewed here or model showing how a forest changes over time, and how those changes affect wildlife.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Simulations - Physics - PhET's Simulations
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): atoms (47), circuits (20), density (20), electricity (61), energy (137), forces (43), friction (11), light (56), magnetism (35), mass (20), matter (48), motion (52), planets (118), probability (99), simulations (38), solar system (113), sound (72), sounds (42)
In the Classroom
Students can use Kiddle reviewed here to research more information about the topic after they have played the simulation. Students can use Dotstorming reviewed here to vote on their favorite. Students can use Google Keep reviewed here to take notes as they are engaging in the simulation.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Foreign Languages and Literature - MIT Open Courseware
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): africa (172), artificial intelligence (217), business (54), coding (91), creating media (15), energy (137), engineering (141), environment (252), equations (119), literature (219), sociology (23), space (231), STEM (331), transportation (31)
In the Classroom
AP history, language, and economics students may find MIT's online course materials useful. MIT has committed to putting its entire curriculum on the web, and these early offerings include syllabi, reading materials, and a variety of subject-specific class notes. Before using these pages, students and parents should all be aware of what Open Courseware is and is not. Teachers at smaller schools may welcome the availability of language alternatives. Teachers of gifted who are looking for acceleration options will also find these courses valuable, though you will need to develop a means of doing assessment if your students are to earn credit for them.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Chemical Reactions in Biology - Crash Course
Grades
9 to 12This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Students can use Padlet reviewed here to post questions or comments after watching the videos. Students can use Google Keep reviewed here to take notes while watching the video. Have students participate in an "Enzyme Action Simulation" where they act out enzyme-substrate interactions by matching and completing simple tasks like assembling molecule models.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Science - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): cells (85), chemicals (40), ecosystems (93), habitats (101), life cycles (22), matter (48), measurement (124), space (231)
In the Classroom
Assign each student a specific cell organelle to research. Students then participate in a "speed dating" activity where they pair up and share information about their assigned organelle, focusing on its structure and function. Encourage students to plan and conduct simple experiments related to life science topics, such as photosynthesis or respiration. Using the scientific method, students can formulate hypotheses, collect data, and draw conclusions. Have students use the digital tools to explore the process of meiosis. Students can engage with interactive simulations that illustrate each phase of meiosis, allowing them to visualize chromosome behavior and understand genetic variation.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Earth's Systems - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
K to 12tag(s): atmosphere (22), climate (89), earth (183), plate tectonics (28), rock cycle (25), visualizations (10), volcanoes (59), weather (163)
In the Classroom
Have students explore the interactive "Earth's Four Spheres" to learn about the geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. Watch the video and have students write cause-and-effect chains showing how volcanic eruptions impact each Earth system. They can use Canva Infographic Creator, < a href="/single.cfm?id=17570">reviewed here to create a digital version. Students can get cards with different events or images (e.g., hurricane, soil erosion, animal migration) and sort them into categories: geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, or a combination.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
DNA, Chromosomes, Genes, and Traits: An Intro to Heredity - Amoeba Sisters
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Before or after the video, provide students with vocabulary cards (e.g., DNA, chromosome, gene, trait, nucleus) and definition cards. Have them match terms to definitions in small groups, sparking discussion and pre-assessing understanding. Ask students to create a visual flowchart illustrating how DNA influences a trait, using examples such as eye color or hair texture. They should include steps like gene expression and protein formation. The flow chart can be made with a digital tool such as Canva Infographic Creator < a href="/single.cfm?id=17570">reviewed here or MindMup, reviewed here. Using coins or spinners to represent alleles from two "parents," students can simulate the inheritance of traits (like dimples, tongue rolling, etc.) for an imaginary offspring. Then, they can draw their "baby" and describe the inherited traits that it will possess.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Educational Resources: Engineering - U.S. National Science Foundation
Grades
K to 12tag(s): engineering (141), robotics (29)
In the Classroom
Select a hands-on lesson from TeachEngineering (part of NSF's collection of 1,500+ vetted K-12 activities) that fits your unit, like building bridges, towers, or circuits. Have students go through the full engineering process: brainstorm, prototype, test, and iterate. Introduce the Morphing Matter for Girls activities to explore smart materials. Assign students to design and prototype an artifact (e.g., a reusable ecological gadget or wearable tech), learning how materials can change properties & respond to environments. Use a PhET simulation (e.g., electric circuits or structures) to let students experiment virtually. Pose a challenge: "Design a stable bridge using at least three materials." After testing different builds, have students record data and write short analyses, combining engineering design with scientific reasoning.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Easy to Understand: Intro to Genetics - Miss Angler
Grades
6 to 8This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Have students complete a quick survey of simple traits (e.g., attached earlobes, tongue rolling, dimples) and tally class data. Use it as an intro to discuss dominant vs. recessive traits. Give students cards labeled with alleles (ex., B and b for eye color) and have them pair up to "create" offspring. Each student picks one card from each "parent" and determines the resulting trait. Students can make a mini flipbook or digital book using Book Creator, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
STEM Teaching Resources - Genetics - National Institutes of Health
Grades
8 to 12In the Classroom
Promote student engagement by beginning the lesson by showing the "Genome + Environment = Dance!" video, which illustrates how environmental factors and personal choices influence gene expression. Students can read blog posts from the Genetics Miniseries and participate in accompanying activities, including discussions, applications, and quizzes. Implement interactive lessons from the webpage that explore the ethical, legal, and social implications of personal genetics.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
It's In Your Genes - Donna Lasher
Grades
K to 8In the Classroom
Have students use colored beads or paper slips to simulate dominant and recessive allele combinations. Students build a 3D DNA model using pipe cleaners, beads, or pasta to represent base pairs. Students extract visible DNA from strawberries using household materials (salt, dish soap, alcohol). Create bingo cards using Bingo Creator, reviewed here with inherited traits (ex., widow's peak, attached earlobes), and students mark traits they or classmates have.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
The Biology Corner - Shannan Muskopf
Grades
8 to 12In the Classroom
Have students use colored paper to represent alleles and "breed" pets with various traits (such as fur color and eye shape). Students can flip coins to simulate inheritance of traits, recording genotypes and phenotypes. Printable worksheets challenge students to solve monohybrid and dihybrid crosses and apply vocabulary such as homozygous and heterozygous. Have students investigate real-world genetic conditions (ex., sickle cell anemia or cystic fibrosis), exploring inheritance patterns and societal impact.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Cell Structure Collection - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): cells (85)
In the Classroom
Students can use Canva Edu reviewed here to create and label a cell. Students can use Google Drawings reviewed here to compare and contrast a plant and animal cell. Finally, students can create 3D models of cells.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Genetic Literacy - GLP Library
Grades
9 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): agriculture (53), dna (52), genetics (87), infographics (60), podcasts (137), sustainability (53)
In the Classroom
Assign students an article from the GLP homepage and have them summarize it for the class. Have students explore GLP's infographics (ex., GMO safety, gene editing regulations) and create a presentation using Visme, reviewed here or Google Slides, reviewed here explaining the data and implications. Students can utilize GLP's Global Gene Editing Regulation Tracker to explore how various countries regulate gene editing and present their findings.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Genetically Engineered or Not Quiz - Share My Lesson
Grades
9 to 12In the Classroom
Use the provided PowerPoint to show images of different organisms (e.g., GloFish, seedless watermelon, featherless chicken). Students can guess if each one is genetically engineered, selectively bred, or natural. Set up stations with images and brief texts that illustrate how specific traits in crops or animals have evolved. Students can circulate and determine whether the change came from natural selection, selective breeding, or genetic engineering. Have students design an organism using either selective breeding or genetic engineering. They must describe its traits, how it was developed, and its intended benefit or use.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Educational Resources: Biology - U.S. National Science Foundation
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): animal homes (56), animals (295), dinosaurs (47), ecosystems (93), marine biology (33), oceans (144), plants (150)
In the Classroom
Students can use Kiddle reviewed here to research the plants and animals on the site. Students can write notes in Google Keep reviewed here as they watch live web cameras of birds from the link provided via Merlin. Students can use Seesaw reviewed here to list facts about what they learn after watching a video.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Teach Genetics and Heredity with Free STEM Lessons - Science Buddies
Grades
K to 12tag(s): dna (52), genetics (87), scientific method (50), STEM (331)
In the Classroom
Using paper or modeling supplies, students can simulate inheritance using "Reebops," fictional marshmallow creatures with traits passed from parent to offspring, by creating Punnett squares. Students can create stop motion videos using Cloud Stop Motion, reviewed here to record the Reebop construction process. Have students test their ability to detect PTC paper and relate the results to a specific gene variation. Students can use a genetics key to "breed" alien offspring based on specific trait combinations. Students can then translate a DNA sequence into a color-coded bracelet (A = red, T = green, etc.).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Genetics and Heredity - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
K to 12In the Classroom
Watch a short video, such as "What Are Traits?", and have students list visible traits they observe in their classmates, such as dimples and eye color. Ask students to record their data and share the results using a simple graph creator tool such as Data GIF Maker, reviewed here. Include interactive media, such as the "Heredity Interactive Lesson," in your activities, where students match traits to their parents and offspring. Students can use dice rolls to determine the traits of a fictional insect (antennae type, wing shape, etc.). Have students interview family members about physical traits (ex., hair type, eye color) and build a visual "trait tree."Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Close comment form