Larry MacPhee: e-Learning

Online DIY Bio Labs, Simulations, and Resource Links

Science labs, activities and simulations you can build into your online course.

Showcase: With CoronaVirus (COVID-19) on the rise, maybe it's time take your labs online? Be sure to try out the Transmissible Disease Simulation and related resources below.

The rest of the educational world has recently discovered "constructivism" and "hands-on" or "experiential" learning. In the sciences, we've been teaching that way for hundreds of years. We call these classes "labs." Simulations can be informative, and can be especially useful as pre-lab activities, but hands-on learning is more engaging, and more realistic. The great thing about labs is that they help you to understand that, while the theories are neat and tidy, the real world is often more messy and less predictable. The labs and activities you'll find below can be done in the traditional classroom, or as part of an online class that is completed offline, at home, safely, and at very low cost. I think there's value in gathering your own materials. It's often cheaper, and helps to de-mystify the process. Intended grade level varies from high school to lower division college. Many of these materials have come to me for free and I'm in no position to profit from them. I have tried to improve some of them, and I encourage you to do the same. I'd love to hear if you're using the materials, and if you have recommendations or requests for new content. I maintain this page because we're a community of science educators, and I think the best stuff we create should be available to all for free. Thanks for visiting! Please note: I don't accept advertisements, and I only rarely link to commercial products. About the license for these materials: Please use, share, and feel free to modify them. Don't repackage them for sale. -Larry MacPhee