Biological Sciences
View photos of the biological sciences equipment (PDF).
FOSS Diversity of Life
What is life? We usually know it when we see it, but what is it? This course introduces students to the big picture of life on Earth. Students discover that all living things, despite their complexity, share the same basic characteristics. Students learn that all organisms (bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, and animals) are composed of cells, and that a single cell is the fundamental unit of life. Students explore the relationship of organisms to their environment, and recognize life as a temporary condition experienced for various lengths of time by all living things. It is our hope that, in their efforts to answer the question "What is life?" students will develop an appreciation for the awesome diversity of life on Earth and a personal interest in life in all its forms. Grades 6 - 8
Module Summary (PDF)FOSS New Plants
The New Plants module provides experiences that heighten young students’ awareness of the diversity of life in the plant kingdom. Students care for plants to learn what they need to grow and develop. They observe the structures of flowering plants and discover ways to propagate new plants from mature plants (from seeds, bulbs, roots, and stem cuttings). They observe and describe changes that occur as plants grow, and organize their observations on a calendar and in a journal. Grades 1 - 2
FOSS Populations and Ecosystems
An ecosystem is the largest organizational unit of life on Earth, defined by a physical environment and the organisms that make their living there. Students learn that every organism has a role to play in its ecosystem, and has structures and behaviors that allow it to survive. This course provides the first steps of ecological understanding for students, with the hope that their future steps will be considered and measured, with the interests of all life being served. Grades 6 - 8
Module Summary (PDF)FOSS Structures of Life
The Structures of Life module consists of four sequential investigations dealing with observable characteristics of organisms. Students observe, compare, categorize, and care for a selection of organisms, and in so doing they learn to identify properties of plants and animals and to sort and group organisms on the basis of observable properties. Students investigate structures of the organisms and learn how some of the structures function in growth and survival. Grades 3 - 4
STC Program: Organisms Unit Kit
How is a pill bug different from a snail? Do a pine tree and a guppy have anything in common? By observing various plants and animals, you'll help students begin to understand the diversity of life around them. With these activities, you'll encourage students to observe and detail similarities and differences in living things. This is a very exciting unit for young students because they have a chance to observe, touch, hold, and care for a number of living things as they plant seeds and observe and record their growth, construct terraria and aquaria and stock each with plants and animals, and compare observations of the terrestrial & aquatic habitats in terms of the needs, behavior, and changes in the animals and plants in each. The two use kit comes with all of the great materials you’d expect from the STC Program™, along with a box containing the materials for a second, non-concurrent use. All you need to do is set the box aside until you are ready for it. Grades K-1st
Mr. Thrifty Bones
This economical, 33" skeleton has remarkable detail and full, natural movement. All bones are individually wired and the arms, legs, and skull are removable for close-up study. Constructed of sturdy plastic with dust cover and heavy, metal stand.
Articulated Skeletons
Posed skeletons of a bat, rat, fish, snake, frog and pigeon.
Microscope and Digital Camera
Ken-A-Vision CoreScope comes with a multi-directional round floating stage, high-quality glass optics, incandescent lighting, and separate coarse and fine focusing knobs, making it easier for the students to use. PupilCAM 2.0 is a 1.3-megapixel, high-resolution microscope camera with digital CMOS technology. It has an attached 5-ft USB cable for direct computer interface and a built-in microscope adapter to provide a secure, precise attachment to a microscope or stereomicroscope
The Blue Planet: Seas of Life DVD
The Blue Planet: Seas of Life is the definitive exploration of the marine world, chronicling the mysteries of the deep, coastline populations, sea mammals, tidal and climatic influences, and the complete biological system that relies on and revolves around the world's oceans