New!
Investigation

Photosynthesis and Respiration

In this group of lessons students explore photosynthesis and cellular respiration, and the relationship between the two.

Lesson Options

Designed for Middle School Students

Series

Photosynthesis and Respiration: Mission to Mars

Excited for his summer internship at NASA, Jorge dives into his assignment of finding a way to provide oxygen for astronauts on a mission to Mars. Using the Plants and Snails and Cell Energy Cycle Gizmos, students will learn about photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and how the two processes are related to find a solution to Jorge's challenge.

Standalone

Photosynthesis and Respiration: Chloe's Goldfish

Chloe's goldfish are sick, and she needs to help them quickly! In this standalone lesson, students use the Plants and Snails and Cell Energy Cycle Gizmos to learn about cellular respiration and determine how to help Chloe's fish.

Photosynthesis and Respiration: Winter Strawberries

Anna's grandparents are trying to grow winter strawberries in a greenhouse, but the plants aren't doing well. Students will use the Plants and Snails and Cell Energy Cycle Gizmo to learn about photosynthesis and find a way to help the strawberries grow.

Photosynthesis and Respiration: Henry's Snails

Henry is having trouble with his pet snails. To help, students will learn about the interdependence of photosynthesis and respiration using the Plants and Snails and Cell Energy Cycle Gizmos. Students will be challenged to use plants to create a stable environment for Henry's snails.

Photosynthesis and Respiration: Maximizing Oxygen Extension

To support a future moon station, NASA plans to grow plants to supply food and oxygen. Jorge's job is to determine how to maximize oxygen production. Using the Photosynthesis Lab Gizmo, students will undergo a series of controlled experiments to determine the ideal light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and light wavelength.

Lesson Materials

Photosynthesis and Respiration: Mission to Mars

Teacher Guide Scientific Background Key Vocabulary Usage Guide

Photosynthesis and Respiration: Chloe's Goldfish

Teacher Guide Scientific Background Key Vocabulary Usage Guide

Photosynthesis and Respiration: Winter Strawberries

Teacher Guide Scientific Background Key Vocabulary Usage Guide

Photosynthesis and Respiration: Henry's Snails

Teacher Guide Scientific Background Key Vocabulary Usage Guide

Photosynthesis and Respiration: Maximizing Oxygen Extension

Teacher Guide Scientific Background Key Vocabulary Usage Guide

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.

Flower Pollination

Observe the steps of pollination and fertilization in flowering plants. Help with many parts of the process by dragging pollen grains to the stigma, dragging sperm to the ovules, and removing petals as the fruit begins to grow. Quiz yourself when you are done by dragging vocabulary words to the correct plant structure.

Growing Plants

Investigate the growth of three common garden plants: tomatoes, beans, and turnips. You can change the amount of light each plant gets, the amount of water added each day, and the type of soil the seed is planted in. Observe the effect of each variable on plant height, plant mass, leaf color and leaf size. Determine what conditions produce the tallest and healthiest plants. Height and mass data are displayed on tables and graphs.

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.