Investigating Photosynthesis: Discovering what plants need for photosynthesis part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this inquiry lab, students design and conduct simple experiments using elodea and Bromothymol blue to determine whether plants consume or release carbon dioxide in the process of photosynthesis. Students will record their data which will be used to conclude whether carbon dioxide was consumed or released by the elodea.

Investigating Osmosis using water and gummy bears part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a classroom lab where the students gather data on the affect water has on gummy bear candies and develops an experiment based on a new question regarding a not plain water solution. Students will perform calculations and graph their results.

Observing Cell Division part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is a classroom activity in which students observe and describe cells in stages of division. They share observations about what they see in the cells, then formulate questions and do research concerning the changes that take place in cells during the process.

Energy Flow through Organisms: An Introduction to Photosynthesis and Respiration part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This classroom activity introduces students to energy flow through organisms, producers & photosynthesis, and consumers & respiration.

Best Edible Model of a Cell Contest part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is designed to help students understand the structures and functions of the cell by building a model. The students must also do an oral presentation explaining their model to the class.

Diffusion Demonstration part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this interactive demonstration students will make observations of diffusion of a semi permeable membrane and be able to compare these observations to the functions of a cell membrane.

Comparing the Simple Structure of Plant and Animal Cells part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
The lesson is designed for fourth grade students using scientific investigation to identify and compare the basic parts of a plant and animal cells. This activity consists of several steps over a period of several days. It includes student use of microscopes for observations and journals to collect data to identify and classify the basic parts of plant and animal cells. The assessment has an individual component and uses student work.

Observe, Describe, Compare and Contrast Cells part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is an investigation where students observe cells from various organisms and then compare and contrast the cells they observe.