Biology Resources

[The colored letters next to each title indicate the appropriate grade levels:
E - Elementary, M - Middle School, H - High School]

Stem Cell Resources M H
is the first, personalized, inquiry-based learning module of the Bioscience Network, dedicated to the aptitudes and interests of K-12 and advanced career-track bioscience participants. We are a recognized informational and education resource of the National Institutes of Health and the National Academies of Science and include: an animated image library illustrating more than 100 human and animal stem cells, more than 100 videos related to stem cells, new monthly lesson plans, podcasts, animation and other learning tools, including information on industry, policy, law and a calendar of worldwide stem-cell events, conferences and training sessions.

Biological Sciences Pathway H
Part of the National Science Digital Library, the site provides access to over 4,700 reviewed resources covering 77 biological sciences topics. BEN provides resources, tools, and professional development for educators at the high school and undergraduate levels.

National Institute of Health Curriculum Supplements E M H
Interactive teaching units that combine cutting-edge science research discoveries from the National Institutes of Health with state-of-the-art instructional materials. Each supplement is a teacher’s guide to two weeks’ of lessons on science and human health.

BioInteractive M H
features virtual labs and museums, also available on CD-ROM

How-To-Do-It Biology Lessons E M H
The American Biology Teacher presents a series of specific "how-to-do-it" suggestions for the classroom and laboratory. ABT, a publication from the National Association of Biology Teachers, also offers field activities, interdisciplinary programs, and articles on recent advances in biology and life science.

Science Ambassador E M H
Offers lesson plans on issues related to birth defects: fetal alcohol syndrome, hearing loss, vitamins, folic acid, cystic fibrosis, chromosome abnormalities, the bioethics of genetic screening, epidemiology, graphing & analyzing health data, graphing gastroschisis, genes & diseases, muscular dystrophy & pedigree charts, spina bifida, surveillance of population trends, pyloric stenosis, & accutane.

The Biology Project E M H
Activities and resources in English and Spanish in biology, biochemistry and biophysics. Includes the Manduca Project for elementary students.

Biology Classroom Resources M H
From the National Science Foundataion, includes links to NSF funded programs for students.

The Mystery Spot M H
Interactive, online biology mysteries for students to solve from Access Excellence

Connecting Concepts H
Interactive web-based lessons designed to give introductory undergraduate biology students opportunities to connect biology concepts.

Microbe World M H
Videos and lesson plans

Typhoid Mary M H
Great interactive site from NOVA with information on Typhoid Mary

Hello Dolly M H
Try out this webquest that looks at the ethics and science of cloning.

Action BioScience v
Seven bioscience challenges are presented for selection. Providing students with articles to read from various topics in biology so as to gain background information. Teachers can pose assignments where students research a controversial topic, gather information, then they must chose a position. Students can then defend their position in a class debate format or in a written paper, or both!

BioZone M H
Links to all things biological. Great starting point for student research on hundreds of topics.

BioTech Project M H
Lab activities in PDF format using common materials.

Interactive Biology v
A collection of links to virtual and interactive online biology labs.  

Cells Alive! M H
Web animations of various cellular processes

Biology in Motion M H
offers animations and interactives for teaching biology concepts.

Scope Sequence and Coordination H
Multi-topic site on activities correlated to National Science standards

Case Studies M H

The National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science Case Collection
This site has case studies in evolutionary biology, molecular biology and
genetics. Though developed for use in college coursework, many are easily
transferable for use in High School or middle school classrooms. PDF
format available for download.

Alien Evolution:The Return of the Cambrian Explosion
In Sickness and in Health: A Trip to the Genetic Counselor
The Case of Desiree's Baby: The Genetics and Evolution of Human Skin Color

DNA Detective
Three real life cases involving DNA fingerprinting

Genetics:

The Basics and Beyond E M H
Learn about DNA, genes, chromosomes and more!

Genetic Disorder Corner E M H
Learn how mutations in genes cause disease and what scientists can predict by looking at chromosomes

Genetics Lesson Plans M H
A collection of links to leeson plans on genetics and genomics

Ewe2 M H
Web project on cloning, which includes research and a case study.

Evolution sites:

Tour of Geologic Time M H
Examine the fossil record according to the geologic time scale

DinoBuzz E M H
Current topics involving dinosaurs.

Evolution Links E M H
Provides a good overview with additional links to the history of evolution and to current debates.