Engaging inexpensive hands-on activities using (a green micro-alga) beads to teach the interplay of photosynthesis and cellular respiration to K4-K16 Biology students.

Background: Photosynthesis and cellular respiration play major roles in energy metabolism and are important Life Science topics for K16 Biology students. Algae beads are used for photosynthesis and cellular respiration labs. Currently there are a few companies that sell biology educational kits for making algae beads using non-motile green micro-algae to introduce students to photosynthesis.