Labs to Coordinate with Miller-Levine Biology – Macaw

I’ve just finished putting together the labs for my son’s biology class this coming year.  I wanted to primarily focus on getting him very comfortable with the microscope.  Of course, I didn’t want to forget the labs related to other topics as well.

I’m using the Miller Levine Biology Macaw iPad text along with the Miller & Levine Biology Laboratory Manual A  I added in some labs from the Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments  I typically went with labs that we could do at home or ones that didn’t require a bunch of specialty equipment.  We already have a microscope and some materials related to that, but even when carefully choosing labs the price tag for materials we need is over $100.  If you are in the USA, you can purchase the Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments package and get most everything you need for around $200.  I’ve noted the materials needed for the different labs in case you are looking for labs to cover a topic.  I’ve also included a few virtual labs from Biology Weblabs.

The labs aren’t dissection heavy.  Apparently, dissection isn’t as commonly done in high schools anymore.  My son will be dissecting a squid purchased from a local market as well as a chicken wing.

Using a Microscope I-1 (Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments)

Need microscope, prepared slide, ruler

Mounting Specimens I-2 (Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments)

Need microscope, slides (well and flat), coverslips, methylene blue, petroleum jelly, distilled water, hair, toothpicks, microtome (made out of spool of thread – maybe skip this part), vegetable oil, pond water, flame source, pipettes, forceps, (skip glycerol with pond water slide),

Staining I-3 (Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments)

Need Gram’s iodine, Hucker’s crystal violet, Safranin O, methylene blue, eosin y, flat slides, coverslips, pipettes, 70% ethynol (using rubbing alcohol),  microscope, toothpicks, paper towels

Biology Weblabs – Enzyme Catalyst  http://www.uccp.org/courses/CPBioLabs/gen_course/index.html

Sampling Plant Populations in a Community Lab V-1 (Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments)

Need specimen containers, measuring tape, string, stakes, scissors, knife, marking pen

The Growth Cycle of Yeast (Miller and Levine Biology Lab Manual A)

Need yeast culture, stirring rod, pipettes, flat slides and coverslips, microscope, 10 ml graduated cylinder, 2 test tubes, graph paper, test tube rack

Air Pollution Testing Lab V-3 (Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments)

Need Microscope, microscope slides, petroleum jelly, spray bottle, Saran wrap, timer

Investigating Osmosis IV-2 (Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments)

Need scale, foam cups, eggs, graph paper, paper towels, syrup, tablespoons, vinegar, timer

Cell model cakes  (Make plant and animal cell model cakes)

Need 2 cake mixes, fondant, and trip to candy store

Biology Weblabs – Mitosis  http://www.uccp.org/courses/CPBioLabs/gen_course/index.html

Biology Weblabs – Meiosis  http://www.uccp.org/courses/CPBioLabs/gen_course/index.html

Exploring Mendelian Genetics Lab IV-1 (Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments

Need PTC test strips

Extracting DNA (Miller and Levine Biology Lab Manual A)

Need plastic freezer bag, ripe strawberry, detergent, 25 ml graduated cylinder, cheesecloth, funnel, medium test tube, test tube rack, chilled 95% ethanol, stirring rod

 From DNA to Protein Synthesis (Miller and Levine Biology Lab Manual A)

Need lab manual

Using DNA to Identify Human Remains (Miller and Levine Biology Lab Manual A)

Need lab manual

Amino Acid Sequences:  Indicators of Evolution (Miller and Levine Biology Lab Manual A)

Need lab manual, graph paper

Dichotomous Keys (Miller and Levine Biology Lab Manual A)

Need lab manual

Using Index Fossils (Miller and Levine Biology Lab Manual A)

Need lab manual, scissors

Bacteria lab (www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/bacteria_lab.html)

Need Petri dishes, agar, inoculating loop, crystal violet, safranin o, ethanol

Identifying Growth Zones in Roots (Miller and Levine Biology Lab Manual A)

Need large bean seeds, paper towels, 150 ml beaker, petri dish

Investigating Arthropods XI-3 (Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments)

Need microscope, mealworms, flat and deep microscope slides, coverslips, methylene blue, eosin y, ethanol, forceps, scalpel, teasing needles, cornflakes, potatoes, prepared slides, insects

Investigating Hominoid Fossils (Miller and Levine Biology Lab Manual A)

Lab manual, ruler

Anatomy of a Squid (Miller and Levine Biology Lab Manual A)

Need squid, dissecting tray, hand lens, forceps, dissecting scissors, pins, and probe

Comparing Bird and Mammal Bones (Miller and Levine Biology Lab Manual A)

Need chicken, duck, and cow bones, hand lens, scale, saw

Comparing Limbs (Miller and Levine Biology Lab Manual A)

Need chicken wing, disposable tray, dissecting scissors, forceps

Tidal Volume and Lung Capacity (Miller and Levine Lab Manual A)

Need round balloons, ruler, meterstick

Diagnosing Endocrine Disorders (Miller and Levine Lab Manual A)

Lab manual