High School Life Science

This 3-D model shows the major structures within a seed-bearing woody plant. Students identify plant anatomy in transverse and longitudinal sections. The set includes 24"H x 18"W model activity guide and color transparency. This kit is available as a loan only.  

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.B

Refer to the teacher binder included with the lab kit for lesson resources. 

Use the torso models to identify the structure and function of organs and understand how they work together within a system. The models have removable organs and can be used to explore the respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems.  Kit includes 7 torso models appropriately 20" tall.  

Suggested timing - 1+ class periods.  

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.B 

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Students explore and record the microscopic world of pond water using compound microscopes.       

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.B

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Students use Vernier Conductivity Probes to measure the rate of diffusion from different-sized models "cells" to learn about the importance of surface area to volume ratio in the biological world. *Computer not included.  Vernier probe connects via Bluetooth to a student device.  Data is visualized using the free Graphical Analysis website. 

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.B 

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Students use Vernier Conductivity probe to study the effect of temperature, concentration gradients and the presence of a second molecule on diffusion.  *Computer not included.  Vernier probe connects via Bluetooth to a student device.  Data is visualized using the free Graphical Analysis  website. 

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.C 

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Students use a compound microscope to view prepared slides of plant and animal cells.  The kit also includes two demonstration models - one plant cell and one animal cell. This kit is available as a loan only.

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.A 

Refer to the teacher binder included with the lab kit for lesson resources. 

Students will use Vernier Pressure Sensors to measure and compare the initial rates of reaction for the destruction of hydrogen peroxide by the enzyme catalase at various enzyme concentrations, temperatures, and pH values.  *Computer not included.  Vernier probe connects via USB to a student device.  Data is visualized using the free Graphical Analysis  web app. 

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.B 

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Students use microscopes to monitor the effect of salt solution on the cell wall and cell membrane.      

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.B

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Students use materials from K'nex kits to build DNA and mRNA molecules. This flexible set allows students to build and learn about phosphate groups, deoxyribose and ribose sugars, hydrogen bonds, codons, nucleotides, and more.  This kit is available as loan only.   

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.A 

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Students develop an understanding of the mechanism behind the concept of DNA electrophoresis. They will use food coloring as a replacement for DNA which allows a good visualization in one class period. Restriction enzymes are covered as well.    

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.A 

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Students use magnetic molecule models to investigate the properties of water, including states of matter, polarity, adhesion, cohesion, and more.  These models can be used to teach physical and biological concepts.  The kit includes 10 cups for students to work in small groups.  Refer to the  manufacturer's website  for lesson plans and product videos.  

Suggested timing - 1+ class periods.      

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.C    

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Students investigate multiple generations of Wisconsin Fast Plant seedlings.  P1, P2, F1, and F2 seedlings are analyzed for stem color at 4-6 days old to discover monohybrid inheritance patterns.  The seedlings are easily grown on filter paper and can be thrown away or transferred to a pot with soil after the investigation.  The lab kit includes a small greenhouse, seeds, and planting supplies.  

Suggested timing - 1-2 active class periods, 4-5 inactive days to germinate the seedlings.   

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.R 

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Students view prepared onion root tip slides to identify the stages of mitosis.  The kit includes microscope slides and a mitosis model.    

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.D 

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Students use sweep nets to investigate micro‐habitats in the schoolyard or other outdoor locations by sampling the insects.   Conduct this lab in the fall or spring while the temperatures are warm.  Use this lab to answer questions about insect anatomy and biodiversity in your schoolyard.  The kit includes 8 sweep nets, collection bags, and insect samples in acrylic blocks.  

Suggested timing - 1+ class periods. 

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.L, 3.1.9-12.N, 3.4.9-12.E

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Students use binoculars and a variety of bird guides to observe the birds in your schoolyard.  Use this flexible activity to learn about a variety of topics including social interactions, ecosystem interactions, adaptations, biodiversity, migration, human impacts, and even the properties of sound waves.  Engage your students in a MWEE by extending this activity to include solutions to a local schoolyard or community habitat issue identified by your students.  We recommend installing Cornell’s Merlin Bird app on student tablets or other devices that can be used outside.  The kit includes a class set of binoculars (30 pairs) and field guides.  

Suggested timing - 1+ class periods, repeat seasonally to observe migration patterns.    

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Get to know the trees in your schoolyard. Students use dichotomous keys to identify trees and their current phenophase, additional activities include estimating tree height and age. Use these activities to prepare your students to participate in Project BudBurst citizen science.  The kit includes tree ID books, tangent height gauges, tree diameter measuring tapes, and measuring wheels.  

Suggested timing - 2+ class periods.    

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.4.9-12.E

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Students use tree core samples to learn how growth patterns in trees can be used to cross date wood from trees and historic structures.  

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Students use Vernier Pressure Sensors to measure the metabolic activity of yeast.  When yeast metabolizes a sugar under anaerobic conditions, ethanol and carbon dioxide gas are produced.  *Computer not included.  Vernier probe connects via the provided GoLink Interface to your students' devices.  Data is visualized using the free Graphical Analysis website. 

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.J

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Students use AS computers to investigate ecological scenarios in this older interactive software. Several concepts can be addressed including population ecology, ecosystems, and conservation biology. The Isle Royale moose and wolf population simulator is the most popular scenario in this software.  

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.H, 3.1.9-12.I, 3.1.9-12.L

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Students observe the Advancing Science pillbug colony to learn how an organism’s structure supports its function.  Students design and carry out investigations to draw conclusions about pillbug habitat preference.   The kit includes a pillbug terrarium with 100+ isopods (pillbugs and sowbugs) of varying ages, choice chambers for the habitat investigation, and other supplies needed to support student investigations.  

Suggested timing - 2-3 class periods. 

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.M, 3.1.9-12.B

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Students explore the Advancing Science worm bin to learn about worm structure and function, reproduction, behavior, and worm composting.  

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.G, 3.1.9-12.K, 3.3.9-12.R

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Students use Vernier CO2 probes to determine which environmental condition will promote the greatest respiration in worms.   

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.G, 3.1.9-12.K 

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Students use compound microscopes to compare the heart rates of Daphnia before and after exposure to environmental toxins (antifreeze, salt, and laundry detergent) or household drugs (alcohol, caffeine, nicotine) or temperature changes.    

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.N

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Students use Vernier CO2 sensors to measure the effect of germination on CO2 production during cellular respiration in pea seeds. Students can also measure the impact of a salt solution on the germination of peas. *Computer not included.  Vernier probe connects via Bluetooth to a student's device.  Data is visualized using the free  Graphical Analysis  web app.    

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.G, 3.1.9-12.K

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Students use Vernier CO2 sensors to answer the question, “Is my salad doing photosynthesis”?  Students collect evidence by measuring the changes in CO2 levels of spinach leaves in both light and dark chambers. The  Vernier probe connects via Bluetooth to a student device.  Data is visualized using the free  Graphical Analysis  web app.  A class set (8 groups) of materials is included with the kit.  

Suggested timing - 1+ class periods.     

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.E, 3.1.9-12.K

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Students collect and identify macroinvertebrates to assess the health of streams. The macroinvertebrates can be collected in a bucket and brought into the classroom (stream in a bucket), collected and analyzed stream side (stream study), or collected over a longer period with leaf packs. The kit includes nets, buckets, sorting trays, identification charts, and more. 

Suggested timing – 2+ class periods. This lab is available in the spring and fall (Sept - Oct and Apr - May).   

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.L, 3.1.9-12.N, 3.4.9-12.C, and 3.4.9-12.E

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Students act as community water volunteers in this game as they learn about water quality issues in small watersheds and the decision-making processes to improve those water quality issues.  The kit includes 3 full game sets and was developed by Penn State Extension.

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.N, 3.3.9-12.H, 3.3.9-12.R

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Students observe and measure model bird skulls to observe different beak adaptations.  The kit includes a simple feeding challenge activity, 8 different bird skulls, calipers, and trade books.  

Suggested timing - 2+ class periods.  

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.9-12.T, 3.1.9-12.W 

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Students observe fossil samples to compare anatomical similarities and understand how life has changed over time.  The kit includes 11 sets of fossil kits and one kit demonstrating the different types of ways that fossils form.  

Suggested timing - 1+ class periods. 

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.6-8.O, 3.3.6-8.D

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