When you look up at the night sky you see the brightest stars in our universe. They are all different sizes and distances from us. Stars are celestial bodies made mostly of hydrogen and helium. They produce heat and light […]
Our solar system is located on an outer spiral of the Milky Way. It includes 1 star, 8 planets, moons, dwarf planets and millions of asteroids, comets and meteorites. In this lesson, students will learn the origins of both our […]
Planets orbit the Sun and moons orbit the planets. Our Moon is the Earth’s only satellite. It is the largest and brightest object in our sky and the 5th largest moon in our solar system. You cannot look at the […]
Space exploration uses the fields of astronomy and technology to explore our solar system and beyond. Technology ranges from unmanned space probes to manned rocket and shuttle missions. In 1957, Sputnik was launched into outer space. This was the first […]
The cell is fundamental to the living systems of biology. All organisms are made of cells. The cell is considered the basic unit of structure and function. Understanding cellular function is vital in understanding tissue, organ and body function. Many […]
The chloroplast in photosynthetic organisms like plants capture light energy from the sun. They then convert this light energy to chemical energy that is stored in sugar. This process of light conversion is called photosynthesis. This process of photosynthesis nourishes […]
All living things require energy to metabolize and survive. The First Law of Thermodynamics says that energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can however, be transferred or transformed. In a process known as cellular respiration, the mitochondria within a […]
Differences in animal body plans mark branching points in evolutionary trees. In this comparative anatomy lesson students will look at the basic body plans in 5 animal specimens: the squid, the starfish, the dogfish, the pig, and the cat. Students […]
Skeletal systems are frameworks that support animal bodies, protect internal organs, and allow for movement. In this comparative anatomy lesson, students will learn about the three types of skeletons seen in the animal kingdom. They will then explore the difference […]
Muscle tissue is a defining characteristic of animals. The muscular system allows all animals to move at some point in their life. There are three types of muscle tissue:smooth, cardiac, and skeletal, each with a unique function. In this comparative […]
The digestive system ingests food, breaks it down so nutrients can be absorbed, and eliminates what cannot be digested. In the animal kingdom there are a variety of food-capturing methods along with variations in the digestive process. In this comparative […]
The urogenital system consists of the urinary and reproductive systems. They share common ducts so are often studied together. The urinary system is important in maintaining salt and water balance and ridding the body of nitrogen waste. The reproductive system […]
