CAMP'S BIOLOGY LABS: Day One Introductory Icebreaker: Is It Alive?

Wonder what to do on the first day with your biology students?  Contrary to popular belief, you don't really HAVE to read the syllabus word-for-word or cover the scientific method for the 8th consecutive year since first grade.  Why not gather up some easily obtainable items and let them have fun instead?  The paper shuffling can wait a day or two.  

This download is a time-tested  fun and engaging introductory lab that gives students a hands-on activity for day one. Students have to answer the deceptively simple question 'Is It Alive?' based on whether or not each specimen checks off all the boxes required to be considered such. Flexible and engaging, you can pick your own specimens or go with the tried-and-true set of suggestions in the lab. Put the syllabus and rules aside.....there will be time for that....let your students decide if that chicken egg is actually alive or what makes that goldfish keep swimming around that bowl blowing bubbles.