Every cell in your body needs to take in nutrients, oxygen, and raw materials and export wastes and other substances—but it’s not just a random traffic jam! A cell membrane (also called a plasma membrane) regulates what comes in and what goes out. Explore the properties of soap films and relate them to the properties of plasma membranes and the mechanics of transport across membranes.

Learn about how g protein coupled receptors work in the cell membrane. Created by William Tsai.

Learn about semipermeable membranes. If you put eggs and sand through a colander, would they both fall through? Probably not. Only the sand would actually pass through the holes of the colander because the eggs are too large. The colander acts as a semipermeable membrane, allowing some materials through but not others. Let's explore some other semipermeable membranes -like what surrounds our cells to help keep our bodies working and healthy. And eggs are like giant cells. They are a perfect thing to use to explore the science of semipermeable membranes, osmosis, and diffusion. We'll even experience a cool chemical reaction when we place an egg in vinegar. What do you think will happen when this chemical reaction is complete? Developed for grades 6-8 and correlated with Virginia Standards of Learning.

Learn about how membrane receptors work in our body. Created by William Tsai.

A one page assignment that uses online tutorials to give students a first exposure to the components of a cell and membrane.

Learn about cooking and baking. They are really all about science. Using her kitchen as her laboratory, Camille Schrier, Miss America 2020, explores the power of food and the science of cooking. She dissects what happens when she's in the kitchen preparing two of her favorite foods- eggs and cookies. Join Miss America as she explores the biological building blocks of food and the molecular changes that happen when we cook. Developed for students in grades 6-10.