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- High School OpenSciEd: Biology (2024)
High School OpenSciEd: Biology (2024)
1: Unit B.1 Ecosystem Interactions & Dynamics: Serengeti
1.1: How do ecosystems work, and how can understanding them help us protect them?
1.1.11: Lesson 11: Can we use everything we have figured out about ecosystems and conservation to expand conservation to new lands and waters?
Ecosystems - High School
As a national park ranger, students must restore the ecosystem of a park back to normal. They interact with populations of many organisms including wolves, deer and bees. Students learn the importance of food chains and webs, and how human factors can impact the health of an environment. Video Preview
2: Unit B.2 Ecosystems Matter & Energy: Ecosystems Matter & Energy: Fires
2.1: What causes fires in ecosystems to burn and how should we manage them?
2.1.5: Lesson 5: Could changes in the Earth's tilt cause more energy and matter to be stored in plants?
Cell Energy Cycle
Explore the processes of photosynthesis and respiration that occur within plant and animal cells. The cyclical nature of the two processes can be constructed visually, and the simplified photosynthesis and respiration formulae can be balanced. 5 Minute Preview
Photosynthesis - High School
As a marine biologist students learn about photosynthesis to help scientists in Australia determine why the coral in the Great Barrier Reef is bleaching. Video Preview
Plants and Snails
Study the production and use of gases by plants and animals. Measure the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in a test tube containing snails and elodea (a type of plant) in both light and dark conditions. Learn about the interdependence of plants and animals. 5 Minute Preview
2.1.7: Lesson 7: What is happening to carbon sinks in other ecosystems?
Carbon Cycle
Follow the path of a carbon atom through the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere. Manipulate a simplified model to see how human activities and other factors affect the amount of atmospheric carbon today and in the future. 5 Minute Preview
2.1.8: Lesson 8: Why should we be concerned that carbon sinks around the world are burning?
Carbon Cycle
Follow the path of a carbon atom through the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere. Manipulate a simplified model to see how human activities and other factors affect the amount of atmospheric carbon today and in the future. 5 Minute Preview
Greenhouse Effect
Within this simulated region of land, daytime's rising temperature and the falling temperature at night can be measured, along with heat flow in and out of the system. The level of greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere at any given time can be adjusted, allowing the long-term effects to be investigated. 5 Minute Preview
Greenhouse Effect - Metric
Within this simulated region of land, daytime's rising temperature and the falling temperature at night can be measured, along with heat flow in and out of the system. The amount of greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere can be adjusted through time, and the long-term effects can be investigated. 5 Minute Preview
2.1.9: Lesson 9: What are the global effects of increased carbon dioxide from fires?
Carbon Cycle
Follow the path of a carbon atom through the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere. Manipulate a simplified model to see how human activities and other factors affect the amount of atmospheric carbon today and in the future. 5 Minute Preview
2.1.10: Lesson 10: How can we help manage the matter and energy in fire systems?
Ecosystems - High School
As a national park ranger, students must restore the ecosystem of a park back to normal. They interact with populations of many organisms including wolves, deer and bees. Students learn the importance of food chains and webs, and how human factors can impact the health of an environment. Video Preview
2.1.12: Lesson 12: Can we use everything we have figured out about fires to explain a new phenomenon?
Photosynthesis - High School
As a marine biologist students learn about photosynthesis to help scientists in Australia determine why the coral in the Great Barrier Reef is bleaching. Video Preview
3: Unit B.3: Inheritance & Variation of Traits: Cancer
3.1: Who gets cancer and why? What can we do about it?
3.1.3: Lesson 3: Inheritance & Variation of Traits: How do non-cancer cells become cancer cells?
Cell Division
Begin with a single cell and watch as mitosis and cell division occurs. The cells will go through the steps of interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis. The length of the cell cycle can be controlled, and data related to the number of cells present and their current phase can be recorded. 5 Minute Preview
3.1.5: Lesson 5: How do cancer cells end up with differences in their chromosomes and what is the role of p53 in preventing the differences?
Building DNA
Construct a DNA molecule, examine its double-helix structure, and then go through the DNA replication process. Learn how each component fits into a DNA molecule, and see how a unique, self-replicating code can be created. 5 Minute Preview
3.1.6: Lesson 6: How do we make p53, and why is it different sometimes?
Building DNA
Construct a DNA molecule, examine its double-helix structure, and then go through the DNA replication process. Learn how each component fits into a DNA molecule, and see how a unique, self-replicating code can be created. 5 Minute Preview
RNA and Protein Synthesis
Go through the process of synthesizing proteins through RNA transcription and translation. Learn about the many steps involved in protein synthesis including: unzipping of DNA, formation of mRNA, attaching of mRNA to the ribosome, and linking of amino acids to form a protein. 5 Minute Preview
3.1.8: Lesson 8: Why do some cancers appear to run in families?
Meiosis
Explore how sex cells are produced by the process of meiosis. Compare meiosis in male and female germ cells, and use crossovers to increase the number of possible gamete genotypes. Using meiosis and crossovers, create "designer" fruit fly offspring with desired trait combinations. 5 Minute Preview
4: Unit B.4: Natural Selection & Evolution of Populations: Urbanization
4.1: How does urbanization affect nonhuman populations, and how can we minimize harmful effects?
4.1.6: Lesson 6: Can we apply what we know about evolution by natural selection to another phenomenon?
Evolution - High School
Working as a CDC researcher, students investigate an outbreak of multi-drug resistant bacterial infections and determine how evolution was involved by tracing the source and cause of the outbreak. Video Preview
5: Unit B.5:Common Ancestry & Speciation: Bears
5.1: What will happen to Arctic bear populations as their environment changes?
5.1.2: Lesson 2: How and why are bear species interacting and why might brown bears dominate?
Homeostasis
Control a simulated person running on a treadmill. Your challenge is to use clothing, exercise, and sweat to maintain a constant body temperature as air temperature goes up and down. Sweating (perspiration) can be controlled automatically by the Gizmo or, for a challenge, manually by the user. Don't forget to eat and drink! 5 Minute Preview
Human Homeostasis
Adjust the levels of clothing, perspiration, and exercise to maintain a stable internal temperature as the external temperature changes. Water and blood sugar levels need to be replenished regularly, and fatigue occurs with heavy exercise. Severe hypothermia, heat stroke, or dehydration can result if internal stability is not maintained. 5 Minute Preview
How Free Gizmos Work
Start teaching with 20-40 Free Gizmos. See the full list.
Access lesson materials for Free Gizmos including teacher guides, lesson plans, and more.
All other Gizmos are limited to a 5 Minute Preview and can only be used for 5 minutes a day.
Free Gizmos change each semester. The new collection will be available January 1 and July 1.
About STEM Cases
Students assume the role of a scientist trying to solve a real world problem. They use scientific practices to collect and analyze data, and form and test a hypothesis as they solve the problems.
Each STEM Case uses realtime reporting to show live student results.
Introduction to the Heatmap
STEM Cases take between 30-90 minutes for students to complete, depending on the case.
Student progress is automatically saved so that STEM Cases can be completed over multiple sessions.
Multiple grade-appropriate versions, or levels, exist for each STEM Case.
Each STEM Case level has an associated Handbook. These are interactive guides that focus on the science concepts underlying the case.
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