biology

In this activity students design and carry out two experiments in a sequence that illustrates important aspects of the process of science; students analyze the data from the first experiment to generate hypotheses which are tested in the second experiment. The first experiment evaluates two indicator solutions to see whether they can be used to test for starch and/or for protein. Then, students use the results from the first experiment to formulate hypotheses concerning what types of food contain starch or protein – some or all foods derived from animals or plants or both. Finally, students design and carry out a second experiment to test their hypotheses and use the data to evaluate and, if necessary, modify their hypotheses.

Download Student Handout: PDF format or Word format

Download Teacher Preparation Notes:PDF format or Word format

In this discussion/worksheet activity, research concerning the health effects of vitamin E is used as a case study to help students understand why different research studies may find seemingly opposite results. Students learn useful approaches for evaluating and synthesizing conflicting research results, with a major focus on understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different types of studies (laboratory experiments, observational studies, and clinical trials). Students also learn that the results of any single study should be interpreted with caution, since results of similar studies vary (due to random variation and differences in specific study characteristics).

The Student Handout is provided in the first attached file and the Teacher Notes are provided in the second attached file.

This discussion/worksheet activity is designed to develop students' understanding of the scientific process by having them design an experiment to test a hypothesis, compare their experimental design with the design of a research study that tested the same hypothesis, evaluate research evidence concerning two hypothesized effects of carbohydrate consumption, evaluate the pros and cons of experimental vs. observational research studies, and finally use what they have learned to revise a standard diagram of the scientific method to make it more accurate, complete and realistic.

The Student Handout is provided in the first attached file and the Teacher Notes are provided in the second attached file.

Amelia Lee Zhi Yi

Fatema Esaa

Grace Ewing

Yatong Li

Rebecca Joseph

Valentina Viertel

Yuan Chen

Jessica Arbon

Brooke Willis

Liriany Pimentel

Elisa Yang

Jiabin Liu

This discussion/worksheet activity introduces students to the molecular and cellular biology of cancer, including the important contributions of mutations in genes that code for proteins involved in regulating the rate of cell division. The questions in this activity challenge students to interpret the information presented in prose, tables and diagrams and apply their knowledge of basic molecular and cellular biology in order to understand multiple aspects of the biology of cancer, including the contributions of a variety of environmental exposures to increased risk for different types of cancer and the long lag between exposure to carcinogens and the diagnosis of cancer.

The first attached file provides the Student Handout and the second attached file provides the Teacher Notes.

This discussion/worksheet activity introduces students to the biology of HIV infection and treatment, including the molecular biology of the HIV virus lifecycle and the importance of understanding molecular biology and natural selection for developing effective treatments. The questions in this activity challenge students to apply their understanding of basic molecular and cellular biology and natural selection and interpret the information presented in prose and diagrams in order to understand multiple aspects of the biology of HIV/AIDS and treatment.

The first attached file provides the Student Handout and the second attached file provides the Teacher Notes.

This discussion/worksheet activity reinforces student understanding of the process of meiosis and the importance of having exactly the right number of copies of each chromosome in our body's cells. This activity also helps students to understand that miscarriages are often the result of genetic abnormalities and that genetic conditions sometimes are not inherited (e.g. Down syndrome due to meiotic nondisjunction). Optional additional questions can be used to promote student understanding of sex chromosome abnormalities and X chromosome inactivation. 

The first attached file has the Student Handout and the second attached file has the Teacher Notes.