Maine Mobile
BIOLAB

Our Curriculum

Learn more about the BIOLAB’s curriculum.

The Maine Mobile BIOLAB curriculum includes laboratory activities appropriate for a variety of classes, ranging from sample testing and data analysis to basic chemistry and environmental science.

All activities are focused on problem-based learning with real-world applications that align with Next Generation Science Standards and Maine Learning Results. Activities include common bioscience techniques such as DNA extraction and agarose gel electrophoresis, and explore relevant themes including aquaculture, bioengineering, and forestry.

All Maine BIOLAB lessons are turnkey and free for teachers, promoting inclusivity and accessibility across the state.

Blowin' in the Wind

In this activity, students design, build, and test wind turbine blades to investigate how different blade shapes, angles, and materials affect energy generation. They measure energy output, analyze collected data, and evaluate the effectiveness of their designs. Based on their findings, students propose improvements to enhance efficiency.

Next Generation Science Standards Connections

MS-ESS3-3: Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing human impact on the environment.
MS-ETS1-1: Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, considering relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.

Activity Materials for Teachers:

Pre-lab: PhET Simulations

Pre-lab: Magnetic Poetry

Pre-lab: Schedule a visit to “Electric Town” with Versant Power

Teacher Guide

Student Handout

Watershed Wonders

In this lesson, students use an augmented reality sandbox to explore how the landscape and the water cycle affect one another. The AR sandbox helps visualize the relationship between topographic maps and landforms, and shows how water flows across the surface. Students plan and build a city with various features while considering water runoff, erosion, accessibility, sea level rise, and impact on neighboring communities.

Next Generation Science Standards Connections:

5-ESS2-1: Develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact.
5-ESS3-1: Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.
MS-ESS2-2: Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth’s surface at varying time and spatial scales.
MS-ESS2-4: Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.

Activity Materials for Teachers:

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