Characteristics of Living Things Interactive Simulation | Life Science | Grades 6–8

This Interactive Simulation has grades 6–8 Middle School Life Science students run a hands-on classroom model of Characteristics of Living Things.

Driving question: "How can we design and conduct a microscopic investigation within classroom constraints to provide empirical evidence distinguishing living things from nonliving matter?" Objective: Students will define investigation criteria and constraints, examine five biotic and abiotic specimens under a compound microscope at multiple magnifications, and collect cellular evidence to classify each specimen.

What's inside: objective and background, a materials list (Compound light microscope (with 4x,…; Prepared or wet-mount slides of onion…; Pond water culture containing live…; Nonliving control samples: table salt…), an 8-step protocol, a data table, 4 analysis questions, and teacher notes.

Resource type: Interactive Simulation (.docx). Format: editable Microsoft Word lab handout with approximately 860 words (~5 pages).

Classroom use: a team investigation in a Middle School Life Science course. Grades 6–8.

Format note: These files are delivered in Microsoft Office formats (Word and/or PowerPoint). If you open a worksheet that includes tables in Apple Pages or another non-Microsoft app, table formatting may not display correctly. For best results, use Microsoft Word or PowerPoint (or upload the file to Google Docs). If you run into any formatting issues, contact us and we can send a PDF version.