Experiments

These biology experiments are designed for you to do at home or school using simple equipment. For some experiments, you may need a calculator. Here is a link to an excellent one provided by Web2.0calc.

To access experiments, click on one of the experiments listed below. In most cases, it is simplest to copy the experiment into a word processing program, and then print it out.

A Nervous Experiment

Written by: Brittany Sanner

Do you think you need the same number of nerves in every part of your body? Where in your body might you need more nerves? See for yourself!
Also in: Español

Air Pollution

Written by: CJ Kazilek

The Phoenix metropolitan area, like many large cities, has problems with air pollution at certain times of the year. You can do a simple study to determine some of the factors that affect air pollution.

Ant Farm

Written by: Rebecca Clark

Farming ants might sound like a crazy thing to do unless you might like to eat chocolate covered ants. It turns out we can learn a lot from ants and the best way is to build your own ant farm.
Also in: Español

Birds and Their Songs

Written by: Pierre Deviche, David Pearson, CJ Kazilek

We see them practically everywhere. They are found flying in the high mountains and soaring along the thermal winds in the low deserts. There are those that are reclusive and others you can watch from your own back yard.
Also in: Español

Breaking Proteins

Written by: Karla Moeller

Every day, as you cook, clean, and eat, you are breaking proteins. Not sure how you're doing it? Join us to learn a few ways you can break proteins at home or in the classroom.

An illustration of two ants, one above ground and one in a small underground tunnel

Build an Ant Farm

Written by: Rebecca Clark

Have you ever watched ants going into and out of their nest, and wondered what was going on underground? It’s pretty hard to find out from the surface. If you dig up the nest, the ants get pretty upset! So the simplest way to watch what ants do inside their nest is to trick them into thinking they’re underground when they actually are not. You can do this by putting them in an ant farm.

Catch and Sketch Plankton

Written by: Colleen Miks

Learn to focus on detail and make keen observations that could be overlooked in a picture in this lesson on scientific sketching.

Collecting Ants

Written by: Rebecca Clark

There are several different ways to get ants for an ant farm, depending on when you would like to start the farm and how long you would like for your ant farm to last.

Composting

Written by: Edward Birge

Microorganisms in action! Turn a pile of grass clippings into an experiment.

Create Your Own Herbarium

Written by: CJ Kazilek

Have you ever seen an interesting plant that you wanted to keep? The best way to preserve a plant specimen is to press it and dry it. Here are the simple materials and steps you need to make your own herbarium.

Cutting Out Brain Tumors

Written by: Eugene Chung

Try out some of the new techniques that neurosurgeons are using to guide them during surgery.

DNA Discovery Awards

Written by: Emma Gerrard

Let's take a dive into the history of genetics research... and see who helped build the foundations of knowledge that we still build new understanding on top of today.

Dr. Biology's Virtual Pocket Seed Experiment

Written by: Dr. Biology

Dr. Biology has been busy working on a new experiment and he needs your help. He has collected so much information from the experiment that he needs someone to analyze the data. All the results have been recorded in photographs, including some cool animations.
Also in: Español | Français

A cup half full of liquid surrounded by flies.

Fly Trapping Trials

Written by: David W. Shanafelt

Ever notice tiny flies buzzing around your houseplants? In this experiment, you’ll test different liquid traps to see which one catches the most fungus gnats. Will vinegar, lemon juice, or something else work best? Let’s find out!

Frozen Connections

Written by: Stephanie Pfirman

Sea ice forms the foundation of the Arctic ecosystem. It provides food, shelter, breeding areas, and hunting grounds for many species. How are humans, plants, and animals all connected to each other, and to sea ice? Let's find out!

Heavy Water

Written by: Lynne Kelper

This activity explores how the temperature of water affects its density. You will need to gather the following materials: a pencil; a small paper cup; a small-mouthed, clear-glass jar (the cup should be able to sit inside the opening of the jar); three ice cubes; and food coloring.

Hummingbird Lunch

Written by: Amanda Sibley

These daredevil birds can be perfect subjects for a backyard experiment.

It’s a Plankton Eat Plankton World

Written by: Colleen Miks

During this activity you will learn how to create your own food web. You will also analyze the feeding relationships between marine organisms and describe the importance of plankton to the ecosystem.

Let the Germs Begin

Written by: Satina Sund, Vanessa Vierkoetter, Esmeralda Manzano, Julie Dunlap

Germs are tiny organisms that can make you feel sick and cause disease. During this activity you will illustrate the steps germs take during transmission. You will learn about the different types of bacteria, how they are spread, and discuss ways to keep from getting sick.

Life of the Leafcutter

Written by: Angelina Alameda

Learn what makes leafcutter ants unique and understand how the different castes of ant work together to provide for the colony.

A horned lizard on a background of rocks

If birds evolved from dinosaurs, would that make them reptiles too?

Answer >>

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Experiments

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