# data[].attributes.body
Video clip of Biosphere 2- the recreation of a habitable space and the cycling of matter and energy flow.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Description: Biosphere 2 was created in the 1990's to model all the elements of Biosphere 1 (The Earth). Plants in the biosphere produced oxygen and food for the inhabitants. The carbon dioxide released during respiration was taken in by the plants cycling the matter with energy from the Sun. In this experiment oxygen levels steadily fell to dangerous levels and oxygen eventually had to be added to the biosphere. This large-scale phenomenon continues to be owned and run by the University of Arizona. The mystery of missing oxygen could be used as a phenomenon in a unit on matter cycling and energy flow. Students can even create biospheres of their own and monitor life over time.

Web Resource: Biosphere 2 - Wikipedia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Description: Biosphere 2 was created in the 1990's to model all the elements of Biosphere 1 (The Earth). Plants in the biosphere produced oxygen and food for the inhabitants. The carbon dioxide released during respiration was taken in by the plants cycling the matter with energy

# data[].attributes.body
Video of about the abundance of polydactyl cats at Ernest Hemingway’s Estate.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Description: The author Ernest Hemingway was given a six-toed cat that his son named Snow White. His former home in Key West, Florida was turned into a museum and houses nearly 50 cats that are ancestors of this original cat. Cats with extra digits are called polydactyl cats and have inherited a dominant gene. Roughly half of the cats are polydactyl. This phenomenon could be used to study inheritance and variation.

Web Resources: Hemingway Cats: The Felines That Rule Papa's Key West Estate - Paw Culture, Polydactyl Cats - Wikipedia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Hemingway's Polydactyl Cats - The Wonder of Science

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Description: The author Ernest Hemingway was given a six-toed cat that his son named Snow White. His former home in Key West, Florida was turned into a museum and houses nearly 50 cats that are ancestors of this original cat. Cats with extra digits are called polydactyl cats and

# data[].attributes.body
Video clip of variety of Galapagos Finches being studied

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Description: When Darwin visited the Galapagos Island he collected a number of bird species that he brought back to England. He presented them to ornithologist John Gould thinking they were a variety of birds and he was told that they were all different varieties of finches. This led Darwin to speculate that a population of finches had arrived on the islands and had adapted to different climates through natural selection. However Darwin was never able to observe evolution taking place. Researchers Peter and Rosemary Grant have been observing evolution of Galapagos finches for the last 40 years. One of the most famous studies involved the change in beak depth of medium ground finches during times of drought. Birds that had small beaks were unable to open the dry seeds causing microevolution in the surviving birds.

Web Resources: Peter and Rosemary Grant Research - Wikipedia, The Beak of the Finch - HHMI

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Galapagos Finch Evolution - The Wonder of Science

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Description: When Darwin visited the Galapagos Island he collected a number of bird species that he brought back to England. He presented them to ornithologist John Gould thinking they were a variety of birds and he was told that they were all different varieties of finches. This led Darw

# data[].attributes.body
Video of the Mass Extinctions of Megafauna in North America- Climate or Human’s that caused the extinction?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Megafauna Extinction: Humans or Climate? — The Wonder of Science

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Description:   North America (like Africa today) was once covered with large megafauna (animals weighing more than 100 pounds). This included giant mammoths, ground sloths, and beavers the size of a large bear. However most of these animals disappeared by 11,000 years ago. What was the caus

# data[].attributes.body
Video explaining photosynthesis- good for introductory or explanation of 5e lesson.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Trees, plans, algae, and phytoplankton all do it. Learn about photosynthesis, the process that powers the world.

# data[].attributes.body
Video explaining how mutations in DNA lead to changes in protein structure and function.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
From DNA to Protein: Finding a Diagnosis | Sanford PROMISE | PBS LearningMedia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Genetic disorders are traced back to DNA mutations. There any many types of mutations that lead to issues during cell protein creation. In this collection of resources, students will learn how DNA can affect proteins, discover the effects of a gene mutation, and learn about gene therapy as a treatment option.

# data[].attributes.body
Lesson plan with focus on epigenetics, and how it can change how DNA is expressed

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is Epigenetics? (Lesson Plan) | Sanford PROMISE | PBS LearningMedia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Human genetics influence a big part of who we are, what we look like, and how we act. But it is not the whole story. Epigenetic modifications are changes that can modify how your DNA is expressed while maintaining the actual sequence of nucleotides.

# data[].attributes.body
Phenomenon from Iowa local ecosystems. Some may be relevant for NYS ecosystems, or just phenomenon to introduce units/topics.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Life Science | Iowa Science Phenomena | PBS LearningMedia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about molecules, organisms, ecosystems, heredity and biological evolution using these phenomena clips to support content and skills taught in the Life Sciences.

# data[].attributes.body
Video explaining how invasive northern giant hornets are impacting local honeybee populations in North America, and what strategies prevent their spread.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Eradicate an Invasive Species | Ocean Invaders | PBS LearningMedia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn how invasive northern giant hornets are impacting local honeybee populations in North America, and find out what strategies prevent their spread, in these videos from NOVA: Ocean Invaders. Use this resource as an example of how coevolution of traits can affect a species’ survival in its environment and how group behavior benefits the survival of the group.

# data[].attributes.headline
Primate Evolution Driven by Geology and Plants

# data[].attributes.subject
Primate Evolution Driven by Geology and Plants

# data[].attributes.body
Video exploring primate evolution being influenced by changes in geology and plants.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Primate Evolution Driven by Geology and Plants | NOVA | PBS LearningMedia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn how primate evolution was influenced by changes in plant life and geological landforms with these video excerpts from NOVA Ancient Earth: Humans. Use this resource to provide students with opportunities to describe biological adaptations and model how a change in environmental conditions leads to different primate traits.

# data[].attributes.body
Video of robotic cuttlefish gaining insight into how their environment affects their emotions and changes their skin color.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Exploring Cuttlefish Camouflage and Communication | Spy in the Ocean | PBS LearningMedia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Discover what a robotic giant cuttlefish can reveal about real cuttlefish off Australia’s coast in this video from Nature’s Spy in the Ocean: Deep Feelings. Cuttlefish can change their skin color and pattern to reflect their environment and emotions. The spy cuttlefish, equipped with a screen mimicking this capability, offers insight into one of the ocean’s most fascinating adaptations, encouraging students to explore the benefits of this unique skill.

# data[].attributes.body
Students change favorable mutations and environmental conditions to track genes through generations.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Explore how organisms with different traits survive various selection agents within the environment.

# data[].attributes.body
Students look at the relationship between inputs and outputs of photosynthesis to understand the conversion of materials.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Unit 7.4 L5 Matter Cycling – Chloroplasts and Food - OpenSciEd

# data[].attributes.headline
Human Impact and Conservation with Oil Palm Farms

# data[].attributes.subject
Human Impact and Conservation with Oil Palm Farms

# data[].attributes.body
Students design the landscape to support farmers and orangutans. Students can test their designs to see if they meet the needs of the orangutans and economic needs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Unit 7.5 Lesson17 Collaborative Oil Palm Model - OpenSciEd

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In this computer simulation, individual orangutans compete with each other for food resources (rainforest fruit and termites). In the simulation, orangutans gain energy points when they consume food and lose energy points when they move.

# data[].attributes.body
Students collect clues of Earth’s past to predict the future.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Something big is happening to Earth's climate, and the polar regions hold the key to understanding it. Join top scientists on the hunt for clues that tell a surprising story about our planet's past...and preview where we might be headed.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Join scientists on a quest to discover what Earth's climate was like in the past - and where we might be headed.

# data[].attributes.body
Students build evolutionary trees based on shared adaptations

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Discover how you’re connected to everything that’s alive and everything that’s ever lived.

# data[].attributes.body
Interactive modules with data and modeling that show changes in ocean ecosystems.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Modeling Marine Ecosystems with Virtual Reality

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Virtual Ecosystem Viewer is an interactive virtual reality model NOAA scientists use to visualize changing ocean ecosystems, especially fish populations. These activities explore how models work. They are interactive, problem-centered investigations where students use real data and models to explore human-caused changes in ocean ecosystems and the impacts they have on the plants and animals in those ecosystems.

# data[].attributes.body
Images and data sets that explore relationships between organisms and the changing environment.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Coral and Algae Relationship Status: It's Complicated - Science On a Sphere

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tiny algae called "zooxanthellae" live inside some coral and feed it sugars through photosynthesis in exchange they are protected by coral from the open ocean.

# data[].attributes.body
National STEM contest for students to develop a scientific experiment to be implemented in space.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Life on Earth has evolved under the effects of our gravity and the protection of our atmosphere. Manned space exploration opens up amazing new opportunities for life, and serious challenges too.

# data[].attributes.body
Students explore the challenges of growing plants in space with an experiment with daily readings.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
‘NASA STEM Stars’: Space Plant Biologist - NASA

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Hear from NASA’s dedicated Veggie experts as they discuss the challenges of growing plants in space and discuss their career journeys with NASA.

# data[].attributes.body
Resources for anchoring unit phenomenon for Evolution: videos, activities, data analysis

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Teaching an Online Introductory Biology Lab Using Evolution and Ecology Resources

# data[].attributes.body
Resources to support Evolution of Adaptations: natural selection, speciation, reproductive isolation.

# data[].attributes.body
Activity: Interactive, online game about meiosis and genetics. Includes phases of meiosis, fertilization, genetics terminology.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Snurfle Meiosis and Genetics

Topics Covered: The connection between meiosis, fertilization and genetics, Meiosis, genes, alleles, chromosomes, phases of meiosis I and II (prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase), interphase, cytokinesis, homologous chromosomes, sister chromatids, fertilization, genetics, genetic terms (homozygous, heterozygous, genotype, phenotype etc.)

Check out the Worksheet that goes along with the game (courtesy of Ms. Pam Robinson)!

Here is another version of the Worksheet that goes along with the game (courtesy of Ms. Cindy Sutyak)!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Video computer games, virtual labs and activities for learning and reviewing biology content. Great for students and teachers.

# data[].attributes.body
Images, and data to support data driven analysis of scientific phenomenon

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Teaching Quantitative Biology Online: Resources

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
QUBES Hub - The Power of Biology, Math, and Community

# data[].attributes.body
Activity: online lab where students adjust the number of fish, plants, light intensity and temperature to explore photosynthesis and cellular respiration

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This simulation can be used as a virtual lab for photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and primary productivity. Oxygen levels are monitored in an aquatic environment to measure oxygen production and consumption as part of energy conversion processes. The user can select the number of fish and plants, the light intensity, the light color, and the temperature. Currently, three virtual lab worksheets are available. Visit the Resources page for Word documents or the Google Drive for a fully digital format.

​

Want more of these fish? Check out the merch!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Cell Energy Simulation | Biology Simulations

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Simulation to study photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and primary productivity

# data[].attributes.body
Activity: Students go through an online game to breed pigeons and learn about genetics and the laws of inheritance.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Pigeonetics [Internet]. Salt Lake City (UT): Genetic Science Learning Center; 2014 [cited 2023 Nov 27] Available from https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/pigeons/pigeonetics/

# data[].attributes.body
Activity: Students play a game to determine if their genes would help them survive a zombie apocalypse.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When it comes to surviving and reproducing, genes are only part of the equation. People are clever, and you may be able to engineer a solution that will keep you (and your genes) from being wiped off the face of the earth. You might use platform shoes or stilts to keep your head above the deadly permasmog. And luck matters, too. Maybe you never run into any blind desert stalkers. So an unlucky combination of traits doesn't doom you to an early death.

On the flip side, it isn't enough just to survive. For your genes to live on, you must also reproduce. You may have a helpful trait combination, but If you don't have kids, your genes will still die out.

# data[].attributes.body
Students make a genetically unique dog.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Mutt Mixer shows traits where single genes have big effects. In wild species, it’s rare for a gene to have so much influence. But it’s more common in species that humans have shaped through artificial selection, like dogs. That’s because people over the years have chosen dogs with interesting and unusual trait variations to breed. Dogs with those traits today are descended from a few individuals.

# data[].attributes.body
Drag and drop matching activity to discover how specific traits allow for interspecies relationships/interactions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When a pollinator favors a certain flower type, it is because both partners have traits that work well together. In fact, there are often several sets of corresponding traits that reinforce the relationship, bringing pollinators back again and again to their favorite flowers.

Instructions:

Look at the flowers and pollinators below. Do you notice any traits that would make a good pair?

Click on the pollinator and flower headings below to learn more about the pollinators and flowers. Drag each pollinator to the flower it is most likely to visit.

Here are a few questions to consider when making your matches:

Can the pollinator reach the flower's nectar or pollen?

Does the pollinator need a place to land while it feeds?

Will pollen stick to the pollinator? Does it need to?

Can the pollinator detect the signals (like color or scent) produced by the flower?

Will the scent produced by a flower be appealing to the pollinator?

# data[].attributes.body
Wide range of activities for biology concepts.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bernard and Barbro Osher Gallery 1: Human Phenomena

# data[].attributes.body
Wide range of activities, videos, articles, infographics, data, and maps to use as resources for biological concepts.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Education Search | National Geographic Society

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Search educational experiences to engage with National Geographic Explorers through live events, free maps, videos, interactives, and other resources.

# data[].attributes.body
Topics about “What do you wonder…?” that include images, video, and articles about each “wonder”

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Explore Wonders | Category: science | Wonderopolis