MrsFitz

This powerpoint is a great way to introduce your classroom procedures on the first day of school. This was inspired by a Harry Wong professional development seminar I attended, and many of the ideas are adapted from "The First Day of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher". It covers expectations for behavior, materials needed, and daily procedures. Help your students start off on the right foot by letting them know what they can expect from you everyday!

This lab demonstrates both the specificity and denaturation of the lactase enzyme. This is a true kitchen-chemistry lab- the only required materials are skim milk, lactase tablets (from the pharmacy aisle), and glucose test strips. The lab is fully editable. To simplify the lab or to shorten it for just one class period, I suggest removing "Part 2". A pre-lab worksheet, teacher preparation notes, expected results, and possible modification/extension are included.

This is a 13-slide presentation on stem cells designed for an intro level biology course. It provides an overview of cell differentiation, but focuses on the types of stem cells and their potential applications. I have included two hyperlinks within the presentation to a great "what are stem cells?" animation and a 3-4 minute ABC news clip about the pros & cons of cord blood banking. There is also a note-taking sheet available for free download that accompanies this presentation!

This is a project designed to be done in groups, but can also be completed individually and then shared with the class. Groups of students will be assigned the role of either a scientist, a politician, or an ethicist. Each group will assume their assigned role and research the four key questions- each group has different questions to research. The output is a 5-7 minute persuasive presentation in any format the group chooses (PowerPoint, video, website, etc.). I have included 4 helpful links

This is a 47-slide PowerPoint presentation that covers the following topics: water consumption, water treatment, & types of pollutants. It also includes an activity that allows students to calculate their average daily water consumption.

This short and sweet activity introduces students to 8-bit binary coding. Using the code provided, students create bracelets or necklaces that have a sweet message encoded in them. Pony beads and pipe cleaners and/or string are the only supplies needed. I encourage students to exchange with a friend and decode each other's messages!

This is a 10 slide PowerPoint aimed at parents and guardians for back to school night. This is more appropriate for high school or middle school level, where the parents do not spend as much time in each classroom. It covers your goals as a teacher, materials, grading policy, how parents should contact you, and helpful internet resources & where they can access them. I highly recommend posting this to your website so that parents can access it later, or so that parents who could not attend BT

This is a straight-forward lab that allows students to visualize the process of diffusion and osmosis using very few lab materials. Materials required are: potato, knife/scalpel, beakers or cups, salt water, and a scale/balance. I have also included ideas for extension activities, including ideas for an inquiry-based lab that can build upon what they have learned in this baseline lab. This was designed for a 60 minute lab period, but the timing of the observations can be adjusted for longer/s

Webquest that takes students through the various types of stem cells. It also allows for independent research about current applications of stem cell technology.

11 page PDF that contains tiered labs for a lesson about the molecules of life. It includes an advanced version, regular/CP version, and mini-lab version designed for a 42 minute period. A pre-lab worksheet and reinforcement sheet is also included. Download my free macromolecules PowerPoint to introduce this topic!

This handout provides guidance for forensics science students to create a case study on a case of their choice. Useful links are provided to assist students in selecting a case. The requirements are outlined, and an assignment rubric is provided. I have also included a modified version. This is a Word doc, so it can be edited to suit your needs.

This paper lab explores the following types of inheritance: complete dominance, codominance, incomplete dominance, as well as a dihybrid cross (2 traits). For each type of inheritance, the students will determine the parental genotypes & color in their phenotype. They will show their Punnett squares & color the probably offspring. It's a great way for students to viualize probability. This could easily be adapted for higher levels by including genotypic & phenotypic ratios.

This is a flexible activity that can be incorporated into a unit about genetics (sex-linked inheritance) or evolution and natural selection. It addresses the different types of color vision. In part 1, the students use an iPAD app to test themselves for color blindness. I also provide links where the tests can be done without the use of an iPAD. Then students sort candies by color under different colored light bulbs and calculate their accuracy. This lab includes 2 tiered levels and extensi

This 14-slide presentation is a great way to start the day. I project this on the board every morning, and I find it to be a great way to get middle and high school students to get in the habit of working on their "Do Now" or "warm-up" as soon as they enter the classroom. This contains 10 days worth of fresh do nows, as well as a science fact of the day. It also includes space to type in your objective for the day and the date. I will add more do nows if you like this product.

This document contains two activities that can be used to introduce computer coding to students. It starts with a fun group activity where they "program" a classmate, then finishes with a lesson on "if this then that" programming, with the students creating their own applets.

This 26-slide presentation covers the basics of science: the scientific method, identifying controls and variables, the use of models, and lab safety. This is a great overview for students entering middle or high school science courses.

This is a PowerPoint targeted for a CP or Honors level biology course. It provides an overview of proteins involved in regulating the cell cycle & what goes wrong in cancer cells. It describes the three types of cancer and treatment options. A video link is provided that gives an illustration of metastasis and angiogenesis. See my store for a free note sheet that complements this powerpoint!

This is a one page "getting to know you" form that I used with middle & high school, but is appropriate for any grade level. You can edit it to change questions to be more specific to your class. My students loved this and I really learned a lot about them as learners.

This is a worksheet that helps students understand the concepts of dominant/recessive alleles and genotype/phenotype. They will flip coins to determine the genotype of their snowman. They will then draw the phenotype on the back of the paper. This activity lasts about 30-45 minutes. There is an extension activity in which two classmates partner up and cross their snowmen to create offspring.

This worksheet accompanies my "Cell Differentiation & Stem Cells" PowerPoint presentation. It is a sheet students for students to complete as they engage in the presentation.