5th
Discovery Lab Set Up
Grade - “Alive and Classified!”
Station 1:
The 5 Kingdoms
Have at least one example of each of the 5 kingdoms. The first two examples need
microscopes.

Monerans – microscope with slide of bacteria

Protists – microscope with slide of protists

Fungi – mushrooms from store and lichen

Plants – bring in one or more examples of trees, flowers, grasses, ferns, mosses

Animals – toy cat, could bring in a fish. Put earthworm specimen (from separate
box) to represent invertebrates.
Have a rock at the table- for example of something that is not alive.
Have cards with examples of microbes.
Poster showing all 5 groups
5th
Discovery Lab Set Up
Grade – “Alive and Classified!”
Station 2:
Plant Cells vs. Animal Cells
Set out plant and animal cell models.
Have paper and colored pencils ready.
Have 5 or 6 microscopes with 1 plant &./or animal cell slides. Perhaps have one of each
that are different per microscope so each student can pick between the two and draw one
(or draw both).
Show diffusion by having a clear glass container – filled with about 1 cup of water. Have
food coloring ready. Color diffuses throughout water.
A couple of days before the lab put 2 eggs in white vinegar. Shell will disintegrate leaving
egg held together by a membrane—similar to a cell. Egg expands because membrane lets in
water.
Have a raw egg at table to show size of egg before it expanded.
Posters: DNA/chromosomes
5th
Discovery Lab Set Up
Grade – “Alive and Classified!”
Station 3:
Invertebrate Animals
First activity:
Samples of invertebrates in jars: These can be found in separate SPECIMEN box.
Magnifying glasses
Second Activity: Earthworms
Container of live earthworms.
Placemats &/or paper plates.
Handiwipes
Placemat with information about earthworm innards
5th
Discovery Lab Set Up
Grade – “Alive and Classified!”
Station 4:
Animals with Vertebrates
Simple Classification Key for Vertebrates per each student. Small cards per each
student.
Cards with pictures of each:
Mammals
Birds
Fish
Reptiles
Amphibians
Activity #2: Make an edible vertebrate.
1 napkin/student to work on
1 pipe cleaner per student
5 hard, white ring candies per student
4 soft ring candies per student
1 snack bag to put finished vertebrate in.
Sharpie to write name on bag.
Model of human skeleton to look at backbone.