Photosynthesis Station Lab - MS

This student-led, modular station lab introduces middle school students to the process of photosynthesis, focusing on how radiant energy from the Sun is transformed into chemical energy. Students rotate through multimodal stations that combine hands-on, digital, and written tasks, giving them multiple pathways to build knowledge and show mastery. Teachers act as facilitators, creating an engaging, low-prep learning environment.

Note for Texas teachers: This resource aligns with the 2017 TEKS and will not be updated for the 2021 standards.

Structure & Differentiation

• Nine total stations: eight differentiated activities plus a challenge station for enrichment or early finishers

• Differentiated to support a wide range of learners—scaffolded options for remediation and extension activities for advanced students

• Includes station signage, task cards, readings, and resources for independent or small-group learning

• The Explore It! station may require a few simple classroom materials already on hand

Station Breakdown

Input Stations (building knowledge):

• Explore It! – Hands-on demonstration; digital version includes drag-and-drop activities in PowerPoint or Google Slides

• Read It! – Differentiated passages (English & Spanish) with comprehension and vocabulary checks

• Research It! – Online activity with facts, images, and guided student questions

• Watch It! – Short video with comprehension prompts

Output Stations (demonstrating knowledge):

• Organize It! – Sorting/categorization activities with manipulatives or digital tools

• Illustrate It! – Drawing/sketching models of photosynthesis to reinforce understanding

• Write It! – Short-answer prompts requiring complete-sentence responses

• Assess It! – Task cards and vocabulary-in-context activities to demonstrate mastery

Bonus Station:

• Challenge It! – Crosswords, puzzles, mini-projects, and games for early finishers or advanced learners

Flexible Implementation

This lab is fully adaptable for in-person and virtual instruction. All files are compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides, making them simple to use in blended or online classrooms.

This is a finished product; it will be updated with formatting or corrections as needed. Future improvements and new features will be sold as a separate product.