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Students learn about the scientific uses of the microscope as well as the different types of microscopes and the images that can be viewed with them. They then learn how to use a compound light microscope as they explore and identify cells and microbes in the environments of blood, pond water, and marine water.

Students explore the role of proteins as both structural components and enzymatic catalysts in living organisms through the topic of hair styling. Students compare the straightness efficiency ratios among hair strands that receive a positive control (lye), a negative control (placebo lotion), and the treatment containing the enzyme in the carrier lotion.

Students examine the processes of diffusion and osmosis through the exploration of the physiology of hemodialysis. In the first experiment, students look at how the size of a particle affects diffusion. Students add NaOH and phenolphthalein to water and observe how they diffuse across a selectively permeable membrane (dialysis tubing). In the second experiment, students explore osmosis. They soak eggs in vinegar to remove the shell, leaving a selectively permeable membrane (similar to dialysis tubing). Then students use isotonic solution, a sugar solution (corn syrup), and deionized water to see how the tonicity of solutions leads to water movement across a membrane (i.e., osmosis).

Students use the scientific method to investigate how different amounts of light influence photosynthesis and ultimately growth in plants. Students conduct an experiment to evaluate potato growth via measurements of photosynthesis and respiration, as a function of different light levels.

Students explore how variations in cell division & mitosis influence cancer and chemotherapy treatment. First, students collect and analyze data on mitotic index in various tissue types and cancer to understand how cancer cells differ from normal cells. Second, students prepare and view slides from cancer cells with and without Taxol chemotherapy treatment in order to determine which stage of mitosis is affected by this anti-mitotic drug.

Students explore the genetic interactions that determine physical traits through the topic of cat genetics. In this activity, students are guided through the patterns of inheritance of feline genetic traits. They use that information to identify the father of a litter of kittens, and then predict the pattern of inheritance of an additional trait, pure white fur.

Students learn how enzymes act as biological catalysts, act on specific substrates, and have narrow environmental conditions in which they can act effectively. Students conduct an experiment to study the effectiveness of proteases on blood. They then test how the rate of reaction is affected when more enzyme is added, more substrate is added, pH level changes, and temperature changes.ÌýÌý

Students are introduced to antimicrobial resistance as a form of natural selection in which microbes have altered genes which make them resistant to be killed by traditional medicines. In the experiment, they use the disk diffusion method with the bacterium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, isolated from the 4 patients' samples (patient A, B, C, D, and control of no patient sample spread on dish).

Students explore meiosis and how non-disjunction errors in this process create sperm and embryos with an abnormal number of chromosomes. They use fluorescent in situ hybridization to determine which chromosomes are more likely to be found in abnormal numbers in sperm. Students then analyze and apply their data in order to understand why trisomy or monosomy syndromes are more likely for certain chromosomes, to determine when non-disjunction creating such defects are more likely to occur, both in sperm and eggs, and to apply their knowledge to broader concepts of meiosis.

Students explore the four biologically important organic molecules that compose living organisms by examining the composition of common food items we consume daily. They use different tests to determine if the food items contain any carbohydrates, proteins, peptides, lipids, nucleic acids, or DNA.

Students learn about pH and the pH scale through a series of activities. They learn about and collect data on pH, calcification, and coral bleaching. Comparing this to historical data, students explore if there is correlation between pH & calcification, and pH & coral bleaching. Students then conduct an experiment to look for causal relationships.

Students review the fundamentals of cells, including an investigation of plasma membranes, DNA, ribosomes, and protein production. Using generalized models, they contrast structures and functions of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Students then investigate differences between the prokaryotic nucleoid and the true nucleus of eukaryotes and what defines an organelle. Next, students contrast plant and animal cells using generalized models highlighting the presence of the cell wall, chloroplasts, and large vacuoles of plant cells.