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LIFE IN A DROP OF WATER
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject: Science (Biology)
Time Allotment: two to three 45-minute class periods
Students investigate just what lives in a drop of water, appreciating how much life a single water drop can support and how the population can vary depending on whether the drop is from a freshwater lake or a pond, bottled water, or from the tap. Students use microscopes to observe single-cell organisms in water samples and draw conclusions about diseases and water filtration.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Students will be able to:
- Describe and compare the characteristics of living things
- Observe single-cell organisms using a microscope
- Analyze the differences between protozoa
- Summarize research discoveries through writing
- Compare living organisms in two test samples
MATERIALS
- Samples of tap water for each lab group (pairs of students)
- Sample of a second type of water: pond, lake, river, ditch, or bottled for each lab group
(water can be obtained through a class trip to the water source or teacher can collect the sample prior to the lesson)
- 4 slides per lab group
- 4 cover slips per lab group
- 2 eye droppers to place water sample on slide
- microscopes (preferred: one for each pair of students)
- paper towels for clean up
- Optional: diagrams of the four single-cell organisms with labels
Diagrams can be found on various online sites such as http://www.sirinet.net/~jgjohnso/protista.html and http://www.le.ac.uk/biology/teach/mod103/mulecs/l3.html
HANDOUTS
BOOKMARK THE FOLLOWING SITES
- Jefferson Lab
http://education.jlab.org
Search this site for hands-on activities, games, and reference materials in math and science.
- The Science Spot
http://sciencespot.net
This site provides lesson plans, project ideas, trivia questions, games, and references for all science topics.
- CELLS alive
http://www.cellsalive.com
This site contains film and computer-enhanced images of living cells and organisms. This is also a stock video library with live recording and computer animation of cells, bacteria, parasites, and aquatic organisms.
- American Institute of Biological Sciences
http://www.actionbioscience.org
This educational website has articles by scientists, educators, and students on issues relating to biodiversity. The site also includes lesson plans, and resources to boost bioscience teaching.
- National Science Foundation
http://www.nsf.gov/index.jsp
Search this site for education resources and the most recent information on research and scientific grants.
- Fun Science Gallery: Protist Park
http://www.funsci.com/fun3_en/protists/entrance.htm
Use this site for an overview of protists through stories, microscopic images, and movies.
ACADEMIC STANDARDS
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/browse.asp
- Science, Standard 5, Level IV
Understands the structure and function of cells and organisms
- Science, Standard 6, Level IV
Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment
- Science, Standard 7, Level IV
Understands biological evolution and the diversity of life
- Science, Standard 12, Level IV
Understands the nature of scientific inquiry
- Thinking and Reasoning, Standard 3, Level IV
Effectively uses mental processes that are based on identifying similarities and differences
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