Tag Archives: biology labs

High School Biology Curriculum

The  Biology curriculum at USBiologyTeaching.Com is a curriculum built for Biology teachers. With this Biology curriculum, teachers have every day of instruction planned out for them.

The Biology curriculum is complete with:

The Biology scope and sequence is a very helpful to any biology teacher who wants understand the pacing of this course and get a better understanding of how the Biology curriculum is arranged.

The following units are included in the USBiologyTeaching.Com (USBT) curriculum. The units do not have to be taught in this order however, it is the recommended sequence for the curriculum.

Experimental Design (Scientific Method)

Experimental design is covered over the first two units in the Biology curriculum. In the curriculum, students will explore the nature of science by making observations, asking questions, conducting research, constructing hypotheses, designing and conducting experiments. analyzing data and communicating their results.

Student explore the nature of science through a variety of hands-on engaging activities like the Meal Worm Lab.  Starting the year off with experimental design allows teachers to engage their students and establish procedures.

You can get the first two units of this Biology curriculum here.

Characteristics of Life 

In this unit, students explore the characteristics of life through hands-on engaging activities and discussions that will have them questioning their own understand of what it means to be alive.

Macromolecules

In this unit students, learn all about carbon compounds and the importance of the biological molecules in their own lives.  Students explore this concept through a variety of activities including our very popular Macromolecule Boxing Activity. Students will also explore stomach contents to help determine the last meal of the deceased person in their case study.

Enzymes

In this unit, students use a lab experience to investigate the effects of  pH, temperature , concentration and other factors on enzymes. Students also learn about the structure of enzymes and the induced fit model of enzyme action.

Cell Structure and Function 

In this unit, student learn about cell theory and the basic cell structures and functions.  Student will also learn how proteins are transported throughout the cell. Students also grapple with learning how to properly use a microscope to compare cells and observe their differences.

Check out this cell sidewalk chalk activity!

Cell Transport

In this unit, student learn about how molecules get into and out of cells. Student will learn about passive and active transport. Students will complete a lab experience to investigate a case study about how salt could be the cause the wilted plants.

Get Instant Access to a Full Biology Curriculum

Photosynthesis 

In this unit students dive into the inner workings of the chloroplast to learn how autotrophs are able to make sugar from sunlight and carbon dioxide. Students learn about the light reactions, Calvin cycle, alternate pathways and factors that affect photosynthesis.

Click here to learn more.

Cellular Respiration 

In this unit students dive into the inner workings of the mitochondria.  Student learn about glycolysis, Krebs cycle, the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis. They also learn about the impact oxygen has on the amount of ATP generated.

Cell Reproduction

In this unit of the Biology curriculum, students explore the structure of chromosomes and learn about how and why cells divide. Students engage in a hands-on experience that will truly help them understand the process of cell division.

DNA Replication and Protein Synthesis

In this unit of the Biology curriculum students will extract DNA allowing them to visualize and connect with the concept of protein synthesis. Student will also work collaboratively to create a skit to model the process of protein synthesis.

Genetics

in this unit of the Biology Curriculum students explore  their own traits and calculate probabilities of a Mendelian and Non-Mendelian inheritance patters. Students also build and analyze their pedigree charts.

Mutations and Biotechnology

In this unit students, explore the latest biotechnology innovations like CRISPER CAS 9, DNA profiling, 3D bioprinting, stem cell therapy and more. Student also explore various genetic mutations that the field of biotechnology has set out to cure or prevent.

Ecology  

In this biology lesson plan (unit), students explore the complexity of the interactions that occur in ecosystems. This unit offers a hands-on approach that allows students to explore food webs, food chains, organism interactions and human impact on the environment.

Evolution

In this biology lesson plan (unit), students explore evolution by natural selection using a variety of hands-on activities and resources. Student learn about the evidence for evolution,  population genetics and speciation,

Classification 

In this unit in the biology curriculum, students learn about how organisms are classified and why the classification system is constantly changing as new methods for identifying relatedness are discovered. Students create their own dichotomous keys in addition to using dichotomous keys to classify some unique organisms.

Populations and Human Impact

In this unit students learn about how humans impact ecosystems. Students explore the growing human population and learn about the challenges human face with a growing human population.

Properties of Water  

In this biology lesson plan unit, students learn about the importance of water and the unique properties it has that allows life to flourish.

Human Body Systems

In the unit of the biology curriculum, students learn about the general structure and function of the human body systems and how they interact with each other as one complex system.

Biology Lesson Plans

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Mealworm Inquiry Lab

 Mealworm Inquiry Lab

This week my students have been working on the Mealworm Inquiry Lab. In this lab, students apply everything they have learned about experimental design by creating their own experiment using mealworms (Superworms actually).

 

Superworms can be purchased at the local pet store and are great for this activity. The Superworms do not jump on the kids and they move slow enough to easily control.

They also have an interesting life cycle that the students learn about in their research.  In this inquiry lab, students make observations, conduct research, develop a question, identify variables, create a hypothesis, create procedures,  create choice chambers for their experiment, collect data, analyse data and draw a conclusion based on their results.

GET YOUR COPY HERE

Here are some example of their set up:

Note: About 40% of the students in this class have an IEP. The experiments were not perfectly controlled but this lab offers so much opportunity to address their weakness through questioning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have the students create a lab report when they are finished using my lab report rubric and guide

If you like this activity, you will love our Full Biology Curriculum. Check it out here.

Biology Curriculum