The main goal of this unit is to create a way to teach a rather complex process—photosynthesis—using a three-dimensional approach that provides students with a concrete way of understanding this very difficult topic. This unit was designed with upper level Biology classes, like Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate, in mind. Even these students have difficulty understanding things that happen at the molecular level. Included in this unit is a summary of the most current information we have about photosynthesis. Using this information, I have put together instructions for building and using a model of a chloroplast, to teach, and to help students make connections between the molecular process and what they are observing in the lab. There are also activities that help students enter into the molecular realm of photosynthesis through role-playing. Once they can visualize the invisible, students will have a better basis for the formation of hypotheses and conclusions in inquiry labs. Based on the model and role-playing, students could then develop their own simple models for demonstrating the variations in photosynthesis by C4 and CAM plants.

(Developed for IB Biology, grade 11; recommended for AP Biology and IB Biology, grades 11-12)