Hey Biology Teachers!
I am so excited to announce that I have a brand-new color by number activity in my TPT store.
This monohybrid cross coloring activity will provide your students with the practice they need to master monohybrid crosses and Punnett squares. Fill in the form below to enter!
The giveaway ends on Tuesday, October 14 at 12 noon EST. I'll notify the winners shortly after that time.
Good Luck!
If you’ve ever taught high school chemistry, you know that the mole concept is one of the most important concepts we teach. The mole concept is likely a brand-new idea to most students in your class. The idea of a mole and Avogadro’s number of atoms/molecules involves numbers so large that students can’t visualize them. The year of chemistry is going to involve endless conversions between mass, moles, and molecules. Students need to grasp this concept quickly because the truth is, the mole is the backbone of chemistry. Without a strong foundation in this concept, everything from stoichiometry to chemical reactions becomes a stumbling block.
That’s exactly why I created my Mole Chat Lab Stations. Instead of another worksheet packed with endless conversion problems, this activity gets students up, moving, and experimenting. It is obvious to us teachers that students retain significantly more information when they engage in hands-on scientific activities, rather than solely performing calculations on paper.
👉 TL;DR? Check out the Mole Chat Lab Stations here.
Why the Mole Concept Matters:
The mole is the great connector in chemistry. It connects the microscopic world of trillions and trillions of atoms and molecules with the tangible grams and liters students actually measure in the lab. Mastering mole conversions means students can confidently answer questions like:
When students understand the mole concept, chemistry becomes logical rather than mysterious and confusing. Take the time to make sure all students have mastered this concept. The time spent practicing and reviewing mole conversions will benefit our students all year long.
Lab Stations are a Better Way to Practice:
Traditional worksheets have their place in our chemistry classes. There are often times that a calculation needs to be practiced and there is not enough time to turn it into a game or lab. Honestly, relying on a practice problem worksheet is not a bad thing. But, if the opportunity arises where the problems can be practiced using a lab activity, GREAT!
With the Mole Chat Lab Stations, students rotate through 8 different mini-experiments, each designed to spark curiosity and connect calculations to real-world objects and data. In the Mole Chat Lab Stations, students will
Each station reinforces the key skills students need, but in a way that keeps them engaged, interested, and collaborating. It transforms a tough topic into an active, hands-on learning experience.
Why Teachers Love Mole Chat:
Low-prep, high-impact: No fancy materials or supplies are needed, all the lab station signs and worksheets are ready to be copied and passed out to students, and the setup time is minimal.
Versatile use: Perfect for review before an assessment, as a practice activity while teaching the mole unit, or as a fun refresher later in the year.
Confidence boost: Even your most reluctant students will walk away feeling like they finally understand Avogadro’s number.
Final Thoughts:
The mole doesn’t have to be the hardest unit of the year. With the Mole Chat Lab Stations, you can swap worksheets for meaningful mini-experiments that help the concept click and stick. Your students will be talking about these activities long after they leave class. You’ll love seeing those “aha!” moments when everything clicks.
👉 Grab the the Mole Chat Lab Stations here and make mole conversions fun.
Looking for a new way to wrap up the school year or kick it off in style? Say hello to the Mother Nature Awards— an exciting, low-prep activity that gets students researching, thinking critically, and most importantly… saying “COOL!” in your classroom!
Each year, I challenge my students to create their own Planet Earth Award for a unique and very deserving living organism. Whether it’s the most bizarre plant or the most hardcore survivalist animal, this activity highlights some of nature’s most fascinating lifeforms. Students dig into research, build a PowerPoint slide or poster, and then present their awards to the class. Trust me — the competition gets fierce to see who can come up with the most bizarre organism in nature.
To make this even more fun, I created my own set of Mother Nature Awards. It's a ready-to-go collection of 20 PowerPoint slides/PDF's that highlight some of the weirdest, wildest, and most wonderful organisms on Earth. These award-winners have unique traits that make students stop and say, “Is that really true?” You can use my set of awards as examples to the students, or print them to create an amazing bulletin board or wall display.
Kick off the school year with a WOW!
These slides are a perfect icebreaker and a creative way to introduce life science. Students are instantly intrigued, and you’ll have them hooked from day one.
Fill in those awkward time gaps.
Got 5 minutes before the bell? Pop up a Mother Nature Award and give your students a quick, curious look at the natural world.
Create a bulletin board that actually gets attention.
I print, laminate, and display each award after we view it in class. They brighten up the room — and my students can’t stop reading them.
Assign a student-created version for a grade or extra credit as an end of the year activity.
This resource includes a 2-page student worksheet (with two versions!) to guide your students through their own Planet Earth Award research. Whether you prefer a PowerPoint slide or a colorful poster project, this activity is adaptable and engaging.
Easy grading with a customizable rubric.
You’ll also get an editable grading rubric to simplify assessment and tailor it to your teaching needs.
This activity isn’t just fun — it’s educational and flexible. Whether you’re closing out the year with a bang or jumpstarting science engagement at the beginning of the year, the Mother Nature Awards are a hit every time.
Check it out here:
👉 Science Activity: Awards for Amazing Plants and Animals + Worksheets
Let your students celebrate Earth’s most incredible living things — and unleash their creativity at the same time!
Do you dread review day with your biology students? Reviewing key biology concepts doesn’t have to be dull and boring! These Google Sheets Hidden Picture activities offer a super-fun, engaging, and effective way for students to reinforce their learning while receiving instant feedback. These self-grading activities make review sessions a snap! They are more interactive and enjoyable, plus they help keep kids on task while reviewing complex topics like genetics, biochemistry, DNA and RNA, protein synthesis, and cell division.
TL;DR and just want to see the activities? Skip to the bottom of the post for the links.
How do Google Sheets hidden picture activities work?
These activities are designed as self-grading digital games within Google Sheets. Students type in their answers to the questions, and with each correct response, a portion of a hidden picture is revealed. If an incorrect response is given, no portion of the hidden picture appears, and the student knows they have to try again. By the time they finish the activity, a complete image appears, giving students immediate feedback on their progress.
What are the benefits of using hidden picture activities for Biology review?
✅ Perfect for Reinforcement & Mastery
Repetition is key to mastering biology concepts, and these activities allow students to practice in a low-stress, interactive environment. The games can be completed in the classroom or at home. Whether reviewing pedigree charts, cell division, or other essential topics, students reinforce their understanding through active participation.
✅ Instant Feedback for Self-Paced Learning
Since these activities are self-grading, students know right away if they got an answer right or wrong. This immediate feedback helps them correct misunderstandings in real time, rather than waiting for a teacher to grade their work.
✅ A Fun & Engaging Alternative to Traditional Review
Let’s face it—worksheets and lecture reviews can sometimes feel monotonous. Hidden Picture activities turn review into a gamified experience, keeping students motivated and focused. The element of uncovering the mystery image adds an extra layer of excitement!
✅ Easy to Implement in Any Biology Classroom
These activities work great as:
Since they’re digital, they’re paper-free and can be used in in-person, hybrid, or remote learning settings.
These games are a must-have for any biology teacher looking to boost student engagement while reinforcing critical content. With their self-grading feature, they save teachers valuable time while giving students immediate feedback to support learning.
If you’re looking for a fun, interactive way to review genetics, mitosis, meiosis, and more, these activities are a fantastic addition to your teaching toolkit!
Ready to give it a try? Try this Metric System Digital Hidden Picture Activity for FREE!
Check out the links to Digital Hidden Picture Activities below:
DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis
