Middle school biology classes cover a wide range of topics, depending on what other classes are offered. In some schools biology is the only science offered. Aspects of earth science, astronomy and health studies may appear in the biology curriculum. Lesson plans may focus on a particular subset of biology-related topics, such as cell development. Because biology as a subject can be widely defined, teachers face a number of challenges affecting how their students learn and how to teach them.
Biology study on the middle school level creates opportunities for students to grapple with real-world ethical issues, such as stem-cell research, the ethical treatment of animals and end-of-life decisions. Lesson plans for biology and general science teachers may include teaching strategies to encourage students to reflect on and discuss these broader ethical issues and to use current events as a teaching tool and a springboard for further investigation. Teachers can incorporate current issues into the curriculum while maintaining a neutral stance that encourages student involvement.
The middle school biology classroom can be a place for fierce controversy, with teachers in the middle of debates over the teaching of evolutionary biology versus creationism, definitions of the beginning of life, sexuality issues and other sensitive subjects. Teachers may find themselves at odds with parents and community members, or even the school itself, over their stance on including or omitting controversial content. Instructors may also face challenges in keeping a neutral stance over issues about which they have strong beliefs.
Since biology lesson plans incorporate experimentation and exploration of the physical world, student safety becomes another issue of concern in the classroom. Activities can involve physical objects, chemicals and trips outside the classroom, so classroom management and activity planning play a prominent role in teaching biology on the middle school level. Teachers may need to have students and parents sign safety contracts, or teach a module on safety issues, as part of the overall curriculum.