Creating Life in the Lab
After viewing the Creating Life in the lab Video of Nobel-prize winning biologist Jack Szostak’s attempt to create a living organism from scratch, students will prepare a slide and observe living paramecia under the microscope, identifying the various parts of a paramecium and their functions. Discussion will explore the definition, origin, and nature of life.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Students will prepare a slide and observe living paramecia under a microscope, identifying the various parts of a paramecium and their function.
- Students will use critical thinking and communications skills to reflect upon and discuss the definition, origin, and nature of life.
MATERIALS
- Glass microscope slide
- Cover slip
- Quieting/slowing solution to slow paramecia (Protoslo®, methyl cellulose, etc.)
- Toothpick
- Pipette
- Sample of living paramecia (may be purchased from online science education supply stores)
– Paramecium aurelia and Paramecium multimicronucleatum are both suitable for this lab. - Microscope (with at least 40x magnification)
- Pencil
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Lesson Implementation Materials
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Because these Lessons follow a unique format, it is important to review the TEACHER GUIDE before implementing the activity.
- Begin the lesson by viewing the 10-min Creating Life in the Lab LESSON VIDEO from the SEARCHING series as a class. Note: If your class has recently implemented a SEARCHING Lesson, you can skip the video introduction and begin the video at minute 03:45.
- Download and print the LESSON INTRODUCTION. Students (and teachers) should read this before starting the activity.
- Download and print the STUDENT WORKSHEETS. (PDF) (DOC)
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