AP Biology Data Activities

Activities tailored to high school biology classrooms

DataClassroom designs Ready-To-Teach activities with the modern classroom in mind, aligning our modules with Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core State Standards. We’re excited to announce our array of Ready-To-Teach activities modeled on the AP Biology Investigative Labs!

We have activities that offer either simulated datasets produced with the procedures outlined in the Fall 2019 AB Bio Investigations Manual, such as the Potato Osmosis Lab (Investigation 4: Diffusion and Osmosis), or demonstrations of the concepts in real-world applications such as Single-celled Survival of the Fittest and STD Evolution (Investigation 8: Biotechnology: Bacterial Transformation), where students can study how E. coli behaves in hospitals and how Gonorrhea has become increasingly virulent in the past twenty years based on real research.

Keep reading for other examples of activities perfect for AP Bio and high school bio required curriculum:

Investigation 1: Artificial Selection

Based on the results of an AP Bio classroom, students can investigate the impact of artificial selection on trait expression in Wisconsin Fast Plants, using an animated t-test to compare parent and F1 generations.

Investigation 2: Mathematical Modeling: Hardy-Weinberg

Students can analyze the results of a study investigating minor allele frequency in Red Clover populations, putting Mr. Hardy and Mr. Weinberg’s equation into practice to detect disturbances in the clover’s habitat.

Investigation 5: Photosynthesis

Students can compare the rate of photosynthesis in two different types of plants based on results from the floating disk photosynthesis lab.

Investigation 6: Cellular Respiration

Using the results carried out by scientists at Lanzhou University, students can investigate the impact of phosphorus content on a plant’s rate of respiration as well as the growth rates of different plant types in different settings.

Investigation 7: Cell Division: Mitosis and Meiosis

Students can use results from an AP Bio classroom to run an animated chi-square test investigating the impact of lectin on cell division in cells from onion roots (and better understand the process of chi-square analysis!).

Investigation 9: Biotechnology: Restriction Enzyme Analysis of DNA

In a hypothetical scenario where students must analyze the results of gel electrophoresis on viral samples from different testing locations, they’ll be able to use statistics to make a recommendation that could save patients’ lives!

Investigation 10: Energy Dynamics

Students can explore the findings from a professional survey of the energy pathways of a freshwater ecosystem, findings made utilizing the concepts of energy transfer between trophic levels that the relationship between Brassica larvae and Wisconsin Fast Plants demonstrate.

Photo credit: Saito, Laurel, et al. “Assessing Ecosystem Effects of Reservoir Operations Using Food Web-Energy Transfer and Water Quality Models.” Ecosystems, vol. 4, no. 2, 2001, pp. 105–125., doi:10.1007/s100210000062.