Middle 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): 3.1.6-8.A, 3.1.6-8.B, 3.1.6-8.C  

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

Students learn about the parts of a tree and how to count and measure growth rings to estimate tree age and growing conditions.  The kit includes tree cookies from six different species.  

Suggested timing - 1+ class period. 

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.6-8.E

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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): 3.1.6-8.C  

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Students use anatomically correct models of the skeleton, spine, brain and knee joint to learn about their bodies. Also includes posters and notebook with reproducible student handouts and materials for related activities.   

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.6-8.C  

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Students learn the parts and function of the compound microscopes while looking at a variety of prepared slides on low, medium and high power.    

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.6-8.A   

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

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.6-8.A, 3.1.6-8.B

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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): 3.1.6-8.A, 3.1.6-8.B   

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

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): 3.1.6-8.I, 3.1.6-8.L, 3.4.6-8.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.    

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.6-8.I, 3.1.6-8.K, 3.2.6-8.Q, 3.4.6-8.E  

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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): 3.1.6-8.D, 3.1.6-8.E, 3.1.6-8.I, 3.4.6-8.E   

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Students interpret track scenes to draw conclusions about the type of animals present as well as their interactions with their environment and other animals. This activity can be tailored to focus on habitat, predator/prey relationships, and/or physical adaptations.  The kit includes large track scenes, footprint guides, stencils, and stamps.  

Suggested timing - 1+ class periods. 

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.6-8.J, 3.1.6-8.K 

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Students work in groups to examine the contents of an owl pellet. This activity provides insight into food webs, predator-prey relationships, classification, and characteristics of animals.  Owl pellet vendor stock issues may limit the availability of this lab kit, please submit your request as far in advance as possible.   

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.6-8.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): 3.1.6-8.L, 3.1.6-8.U, 3.3.6-8.M, and 3.4.6-8.E 

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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): 3.1.6-8.G, 3.1.6-8.K, 3.1.6-8.U 

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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): 3.1.6-8.G, 3.1.6-8.K  

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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): 3.1.6-8.G 

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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): 3.1.6-8.F 

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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): 3.1.6-8.T  

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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, 3.1.6-8.P, and 3.3.6-8.D 

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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): 3.1.6-8.E, 3.1.6-8.N  

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Students pair dragon egg and sperm to determine offspring's genotype and phenotype.  This kit is available as a loan only.   

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.6-8.N  

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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): 3.1.6-8.M 

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Students observe schoolyard plants to investigate the interactions between plants and pollinators.  Students dissect flowers to learn about flower structure and function.  Combine this lab activity with lab kit 001 - Investigating Insects to learn about insect anatomy.  The kit includes dissection tools, magnifiers, laminated observation sheets, and pollinator identification keys.  Conduct this lab in the fall or spring when flowers (or weeds) are blooming in your schoolyard.  

Suggested timing - 2 class periods.   

Supports STEELS Standard(s): 3.1.6-8.D, 3.4.6-8.E  

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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): 3.1.6-8.D, 3.1.6-8.E, 3.1.6-8.I, 3.4.6-8.E   

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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): 3.1.6-8.H 

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