Recent Posts

The ant, the butterfly and their chemical warfare with an oregano plant (2015)

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From PBS, 2015. An engaging summary of a fascinating Open Access article - Plant defenses against ants provide a pathway to social parasitism in butterflies. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences. 282: 20151111. Patricelli, D., Barbero, F., Occhipinti, A., Bertea, C.M.,…

Using Transgenics to Explore Plant Immunity (web interactive)

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A step-by-step pictorial summary of how researchers use mutant and transgenic plants to understand plant immunity - suitable for teachers, high school students and others. Source: HHMI, University of North Carolina, Anna Stallman View resource

Bringing Biotechnology to Life - Agricultural Literacy Lessons

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This resource is for science educators and others interested in learning more about biotechnology and its role in food production. There are seven lessons and activities covering topics such as DNA, selective breeding, agricultural biotechnology, and more. Lessons Include: Design 'Y'er Genes …

Living Schoolyards Month Activity Guide (2016)

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This free guide (PDF) has over forty hands-on activities for PreK-12th grade students and the public. Activities are succinctly & beautifully presented. Each one includes goals, materials, procedures, age guidelines and teaching tips useful photos on 1-2 pages. Overarching themes include: Art,…

Auxin: Investigating the effects of IAA on root growth (SAPS)

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Student and teacher guides for hands-on investigation into how auxin affects root growth. Source: Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) View resource

Plants in Your Pants, Genes in Your Jeans

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Help eradicate plant blindness as students explore plant biology concepts and hands-on activities related to everyone's favorite clothing item: denim jeans. These quick, classroom-ready pages (PDFs) are ideally suited for  middle grade students: Plants in Your Pants: Find out how the cotton plant…

Phyllotaxis & Fibonacci

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Students take a close look at the math & biology involved in the creation of seed, leaf, and petal spiral patterns. These multi-modal, inquiry-oriented activities align with NGSS and CCSS and are scalable for middle and high school/AP students. View resource

Investigating Plant Nutrition with Wisconsin Fast Plants

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In this investigation, students explore how various amounts of fertilizer affect growth and development of plants. Source: Wisconsin Fasts Plants View resource

Investigating the effects of minerals on plant growth

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Students use barley, radish or algae to explore how various macronutrients and micronutrients affect growth. View resource from the Nuffield Foundation