Hobbies And Interests
Biology Charade
This is a scientific twist on an old classic. Cut a piece of paper into 10 strips and write biology vocabulary words on the strips. Separate the classroom into two groups and have each group pick a representative. Let the representative pick a strip of paper with a term on it, such as ̶0;zoology̶1; or ̶0;photosynthesis.̶1; The representative then acts out whatever the term involves in the hopes of having his group guess properly. If the first group is not able to answer in the allotted amount of time, then it is the second group's turn to guess. After the first representative is finished, the representative from the next group will present. The guessing contest continues until one of the groups reaches five points or more.
Biology Mini-Olympiad
Instead of having a classroom discussion, the teacher can hold a Biology Mini-Olympiad in the spirit of the International Biology Olympiad. Holding competitions like this sharpens the students' grasp of the subject. Divide the students into groups of four. The international contest has two phases, a theoretical one and a practical one. The first phase involves answering a test of 100 questions. If you want it to be a little more challenging for the class, hold a biology quiz bee. The next phase involves a series of tasks in the lab, which the contestants must execute flawlessly to get the desired empirical results. This activity will require some time but it is good practice and a great way to thresh out students who have the potential to be candidates for the actual International Biology Olympiad and scientists in the future.
Biology Flash Games
Biology involves the study about life processes, so employing media that use motion and visuals can enhance the way students are learning it. Thanks to the advent of the Internet and Flash, a bevy of online games has sprouted to teach students the wonders of biology. At zeroBio, an online biology quiz and game site, students can manipulate sugar molecules and engage the process of their conversion into energy in a game called the Glycolysis Racing Game. There is also a point and click mystery game where players guide Charles Darwin toward uncovering the secrets of evolution. There are many more games asides from the examples above, which give students a more interactive way to learn biology.
execulink.com/~ekimmel/games.htm