Teaching Expertise

Studying biomolecules with students is an important way for them to learn about physiological growth. While the content may be confusing, incorporating these activities will make a difference. If you’re teaching about lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids, or are teaching about their syntheses and mechanisms of action, here are 12 fantastic activities you can use. With such a variety of options, you can incorporate some or all of these to help your students understand the content.

1. Learn about Honey as a Biomolecule

This great activity will have students thinking about how honey is a biomolecule. This pre-made lesson plan is great for teachers because it provides step-by-step guidance, and will work wonderfully for students because they’ll be prompted to read, view a video, and discuss the information. 

Learn More: Agriculture in the Classroom

2. Do a Biomolecule Breakout

Your students will love this biomolecule breakout based on reviewing biomolecules. The story is that they’re shipwrecked, and need to solve the breakout to survive. Once they break out, they’ll find the biomolecules they need to survive. 

Learn More: Made by Teachers

3. Play Biomolecule Shuffle Board

This biomolecules bundle is a game that will have students try out shuffleboard on their desks. As they play, they’ll need to review different aspects of biomolecules. If you’re looking for a way to get your students active, having fun, and reviewing these concepts, this is the perfect activity to try out.

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

4. Share a Biological Molecule Video

Students always seem to pay more attention to a video, so use that to your advantage. Here’s a great video that reviews the basic concepts of biological molecules. 

Learn More: FuseSchool – Global Education

5. Play Biomolecule Jeopardy

Break out those buzzers! This Biomolecule Jeopardy is ready-to-play and will help students review carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins. Break learners into three teams, project this onto your classroom screen and start reviewing. 

Learn More: JeopardyLabs

6. Take a Course on Khan Academy

To introduce new concepts, or supplement your students’ learning, watch this video about Biological Molecules. Khan Academy’s instructor, Hank Green, breaks down complex concepts in an easy-to-understand way! 

Learn More: Khan Academy Partners

7. Do a Biomolecule Word Sort

This is a great activity for students to sort biomedical vocabulary terms and images. Students will need to drag and drop the definitions into sorted columns and then submit their answers for real-time feedback. 

Learn More: Wordwall

8. Build Biomolecule Models

This is a great activity for tactile learners. Collect common, everyday materials, like pipe cleaners, beads, and different colored paper clips. Use them to create models of biomolecules so that students end up with tangible models of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.

Learn More: Science and Math with Mrs. Lau

9. Try out Biomolecule Doodle Notes

Research shows that doodling while taking notes activates the brain in different ways than traditional note-taking, and may lead to greater student success when recalling information. Try it out with your students! Using this doodle bundle, prepared just for teaching biomolecules, can help your students better learn and retain the information. 

Learn More: Science of Curiosity

10. Review with the Amoeba Sisters

This video does a really nice job of introducing, and even reviewing, the different biomolecules. What’s helpful to students is how it connects the concepts right back to some of their favorite foods. Use this as a stand-alone video, or tie in some other activities for a complete lesson.

Learn More: Amoeba Sisters

11. Analyze Food Labels 

Challenge students to identify the different biomolecules found in their foods with this food label analyzing activity. Students will also need to calculate calories, learn how to read nutrition labels, and identify biomolecules in common foods. This real-world activity will help students apply their new-found knowledge in real ways!

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

12. Do a Protein Synthesis Lab Simulation

Proteins, a major biomolecule, go through synthesis. While students will need to understand this concept, it can be tricky. Help them with this biomolecule protein synthesis lab simulation!