College and University
College Algae and Ecosystem Labs
Algae do more than half of Earth's photosynthesis. Put them on every lab bench.
Living labs for introductory biology. Algae and brine shrimp grow fast, cost little, and give every lab group its own data on photosynthesis, population growth, energy flow and pollution. Built first for community college and first-year biology sections, where a lab has to run on a standard bench with a lamp and some glassware. Pick your course, or pick the lab you need.
Or pick the lab you need
Labs by what students learn
College has no standards codes, so each lab is tagged to the Vision and Change core concept it teaches.
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
What students do: Measure gas exchange with algae beads in light and dark and calculate rates.
Population Growth and Carrying Capacity
What students do: Count algae and brine shrimp over time and fit a logistic curve.
Energy Flow and Trophic Transfer
What students do: Estimate biomass at two trophic levels and calculate transfer efficiency.
Algal Isolation and Aseptic Technique
What students do: Streak a mixed algae sample on agar and isolate single strains.
Toxicology and Dose Response
What students do: Expose brine shrimp to a dilution series and calculate an LC50.
Eutrophication and Nutrient Pollution
What students do: Add nutrients to algae cultures and track the bloom and the water quality change.
Kits for these labs
Algae Beads: Make Your Own FULL KIT
