At Oklahoma City Community College, they have developed gel electrophoresis activities that support active learning of many scientific concepts, including: pH, electrolysis, oxidation reduction, electrical currents, potentials, conductivity, molarity, gel electrophoresis, DNA and protein separation, and DNA fingerprinting. This article presents…

Many students view biology and chemistry as two unrelated, separate sciences; how these courses are generally taught in high schools may do little to change that impression. The study of enzymes provide a great opportunity for both biology and chemistry teachers to share with students the interdisciplinary nature of science. This article describes…

Describes ways to make use of lab activities and time for effective learning and student motivation. Provides information on the classification of lab activities, class data for measuring student power output, and a sample pre-lab "think sheet" activity. States the importance of relating activities to topics studied. (RT)

Studying "Caenorhabditis elegans" ("C. elegans") live cultures provides excellent opportunities for authentic inquiry in a high school anatomy and physiology or other biology lab course. Using a digital dissection microscope, a student can photograph the organism during various stages of development and study and analyze the images. In this…

Introduces a low-cost protein-testing technique using gel electrophoresis. Describes materials, manufacturing method, and experimental method. (YP)

This article describes an inquiry-based activity for high school students in which they determine the pH of the digestive compartment in "Paramecia" using different pH indicators. This lab activity introduces students to the challenges of research on the cellular level and illustrates one of the primary methods that scientists use to measure the…

Describes experiences, or "lab puzzles," which will help students develop problem-solving skills in a laboratory setting. Outlines procedures for developing techniques, setting boundaries, and finding the number of molecules of water in Lake Erie. (RT)

The use of complex instruments for chemical analysis is becoming increasingly important. Unfortunately, because of school budgetary constraints, many students are not exposed to these methods until they reach the college level. When students do have access to sophisticated instruments, they often view them as black boxes, with little or no…

Explains how the tobacco mosaic virus can be used to study virology. Presents facts about the virus, procedures to handle the virus in the laboratory, and four laboratory exercises involving the viruses' survival under inactivating conditions, dilution end point, filterability, and microscopy. (MDH)

Presents a laboratory exercise on photosynthesis suitable for high school biology. Allows students to perform the experiments with easily obtainable materials and within a lengthened period. Includes photosynthesis lab prep notes for teachers. (JRH)

In a collaborative effort between university researchers and high school science teachers, an inquiry-based laboratory module was designed using two species of insecticidal nematodes to help students apply scientific inquiry and elements of thoughtful experimental design. The learning experience and model are described in this article. (Contains 4…

Describes procedures for examining a beetle's anatomy with microsurgical tools. Instructions for experimental exercises dealing with the insect's structure and digestive enzymes are outlined. Tips on how to make a microscalpel are also included. (TW)