Visualizing Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
The activity walks the students through the processes of Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration.

Food Web and Chains Activity using Differentiated Tiering by Level of Challenge and Complexity part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
By using this tiered assignment students at different levels are able to review characteristics of living things by either creating a food web or food chart.

Investigating Natural Selection: Observing Stabilizing and Directional Selection through Graphical Analysis of Population Samples. part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This lab activity demonstrates the difference between stabilizing and directional natural selection using two separate populations of sunflower seeds.

Scientific Observations: A Schoolyard BioBlitz part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a classroom and field activity where students learn about and practice scientific observations in the classroom and then complete a field activity by making and recording scientific observations on school grounds.

How Enzymes Work: Investigating their specificity and susceptibility to environmental factors using Jell-O. part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a lab investigation in which students design and conduct experiments using pineapple juice containing the enzyme bromelain and its affect on the substrate gelatin found in Jell-O. The focus of student driven investigations are on enzyme specificity, activity and the impact of environmental factors on enzyme functioning.

Investigating Photosynthesis: Discovering what plants need for photosynthesis part of 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.

Plant Field Study: Adaptations of Plants for Survival in Different Environments part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is a field investigation where students observe plants in a school forest setting . Students then compare adaptations of plants from different parts of the forest.

The Opposable Thumb As A Human Adaptation : Thumb-Taping Lab part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this biology activity, students will first brainstorm how humans use their hands. They will then conduct a short experiment to determine the importance of the opposable thumb to humans and how it is an important adaptation.

Determination of Chlorophyll in Olive Oil Using the Vernier Spectrometer part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this activity, students will investigate how much chlorophyll is in olive oil using a Varnier Spectrometer. Students will measure and analyze the visible light absorbance spectra of three standard olive oils obtained from any supermarket: extra virgin, regular, and light.

What are communicable diseases and how can we prevent some of them? part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Students will learn that microorganisms can get inside one's body and they may keep it from working properly. Students will learn that vaccinations help to prevent some diseases but not others.