Living Systems: Structure and Function

6/11/2026

State: MASSACHUSETTS

I really value what I learned in the course and the lesson plans created in the course will directly be used in my classroom.

12/3/2025

State: PENNSYLVANIA

Got so many great ideas from other educators for future lessons.

8/11/2025

State: CONNECTICUT

I have walked away from this class with a wealth of lessons, ideas and insight to teaching science. The collaborative aspect is wonderful as I love learning how other educators are adapting content for their individual needs. Great class!

7/21/2025

State: NEW YORK

Great class!

7/16/2025

State: MASSACHUSETTS

I enjoyed the pacing of the course as well as each topic I explored.

8/31/2024

State: CALIFORNIA

I’ve gained a profound understanding of how complex and interconnected human anatomy is. This course has deepened my appreciation for the intricate ways in which our body systems work together to maintain health and function. Professionally, this knowledge enhances my ability to teach and explain these concepts to students, making complex biological processes more accessible and engaging. Personally, it has fostered a greater awareness of how lifestyle choices impact our bodily systems, encouraging me to make healthier decisions. The most valuable lesson I learned was the importance of understanding the relationship between different body systems and how they contribute to overall health. This insight not only enriches my teaching but also equips me to share practical advice on maintaining well-being, ultimately benefiting both my students and myself.

8/18/2024

State: NEW JERSEY

8/7/2024

State: NEW YORK

Thank you ! I look forward to utilizing some of these materials in my classroom!

7/1/2024

State: PENNSYLVANIA

The class was excellent! I can't wait to conduct many of the experiments this upcoming school year!

6/28/2024

State: PENNSYLVANIA

Another excellent course by Professor Jessup. Your students will love the hands-on experiments. It elevated my love of teaching and got my students excited to learn about the body. Great Class!!!

5/27/2024

State: NEW YORK

3/29/2024

State: PENNSYLVANIA

2/11/2024

State: PENNSYLVANIA

8/18/2023

State: NEW YORK

8/4/2023

State: PENNSYLVANIA

Thank you for the engaging experiments and activities!

7/18/2023

State: PENNSYLVANIA

Great class!

7/10/2023

State: PENNSYLVANIA

Valuable information within this course!

5/29/2023

State: PENNSYLVANIA

Excellent course, very well organized and informative. There are a variety of useful resources that can be easily incorporated into any life science course. Mr. Harms is excellent to work with!

5/15/2023

State: PENNSYLVANIA

4/25/2023

State: NEW YORK

3/5/2023

State: CONNECTICUT

To begin, the primer to the course was quite informative and an invaluable way to refresh or broaden ones understanding of biological concepts in general and human biology in particular. As one should not easily trust a waif-life chef, one ought not trust the teacher who does not themselves refresh their knowledge and hasten to learn more as they continue to hone their practice. Evidence of continuous improvement and additional knowledge being added to this course was, well, evident. Needing to think carefully about which standards to associated with which content objectives, which content to connect to each CCC and DCI, made me a better teacher. While it may seem easy to simply treat science curriculum planning as a matching game, at certain times it can be elevated to an art- choosing to put in front of students only those resources which will best lend themselves toward content and skills acquisition. Some of the resources did not make sense to me at first glance, and only made me question them and grow in so doing, later to understand that my conceptualization of what was being asked from the tasks went deeper than I first realized. In other words, I was the one who needed to put work in to understand why I didn’t understand the task. Instructional strategies that I used during the Living Systems course were not simply recycled from prior years’ lessons, they came as a direct result of working with these new materials and finding that they lent themselves to new methods. Learning attained by students and impact of teaching both improved in my subjective observation as well as in measurable improvements in student outcomes. Participation was significantly improved from prior years, in which textbook learning was more often used and we did not have as many varied resources. This allowed students to access information in ways that they hadn't before, and opened up a greater proportion of learners to the coursework. It was an unexpected boon to my curricular goals as well to include what the instructional materials had seemingly included as a normal part of the coursework- information on exercise and its benefits. I think this is sorely needed in the US public education system, as we fall further into a depressed, overmedicated, obese, and social media-obsessed culture; more afraid to go outside and catch a ball than hurl insults on the internet. To that end, the Military.com and How Exercise Works articles were great choices. It honestly hadn’t occurred to me before encountering the course materials that science class, and biology in particular, as as much of an imperative as health or physical education courses to convey these messages to middle school students.

3/4/2023

State: NEW YORK

I loved how so many of the assignments could easily be used in my classroom.

2/24/2023

State: PENNSYLVANIA

These courses have been a tremendous benefit to me as an educator, they'll serve me for years to come!

12/4/2022

State: HAWAII

You will leave this course with 15 solid labs or activities to use with your class. There are close to 100 choices so there is great autonomy depending on your grade level and course. This was exactly what I was hoping for and couldn't be more pleased.

5/26/2022

State: PENNSYLVANIA

Great Course!

5/25/2022

State: MISSOURI

This class helped me to gain valuable knowledge that I can apply to my classroom.

4/13/2022

State: PENNSYLVANIA

2/26/2022

State: MASSACHUSETTS

12/14/2021

State: Armed Forces AE

Awesome course

7/7/2021

State: PENNSYLVANIA

6/18/2021

State: CALIFORNIA

Great way to enhance your curriculum with digital resources and hands on activities.

5/5/2021

State: OHIO

I used these lessons with my 7th grade stem students. It really helped to reinforce what we studied in fall with my 7th grade science students. Thanks to Mr. Harms for the great lessons. I will use them in the fall next year with my students.

3/22/2021

State: ILLINOIS

2/16/2021

State: NEW JERSEY

1/25/2021

State: ILLINOIS

Dr. Harms was encouraging and helped me become a better teacher. I was stretched as I incorporated hands-on activities with my classes and I think this class benefitted my students greatly!

8/22/2020

State: PENNSYLVANIA

It was a good experience. It was nice to work at my own pace, especially with everything going on right now.

8/11/2020

State: MASSACHUSETTS

I enjoyed the class very much, and really appreciate the format that Professor Harms uses. Teachers are professionals, and he treats them as such.

7/29/2020

State: VIRGINIA

SCI-909 Living Systems was a fantastic class. The class was set up in such a way that I could go at my own pace and complete the experiments that best worked for my students. This class greatly helped grow me as a teacher but also gave me exceptional resources that I can continue to use with my students. Professor Harms was consistently there for me encouraging me every step of the way. He did not miss a post, nor an opportunity to find the positive to help me improve. Overall very grateful for this course and all the teaching resources it provided!

7/20/2020

State: Armed Forces AE

3/17/2020

State: PENNSYLVANIA

2/27/2020

State: Armed Forces AP

I absolutely love these science courses. They have been so helpful to my students and I.

2/19/2020

State: OHIO

Awesome class! Will use all the resources for years to come!

11/27/2019

State: CONNECTICUT

Another fantastic course with Professor Harms! He provides many resources and posts great ideas. The feedback he emails is helpful and inspiring.

11/26/2019

State: ILLINOIS

Thank you!

9/3/2019

State: Armed Forces AE

Great course.

7/29/2019

State: ILLINOIS

Professor Harms is very motivating and supportive.

5/16/2019

State: PENNSYLVANIA

5/16/2019

State: VIRGINIA

This was a very good and appropriate course that will enhance the teaching of teachers. It definitely gave me the resources to be a better teacher. I have so enjoyed Mr. Harms classes and find him to be an excellent ambassador for teachers and your university.

4/5/2019

State: PENNSYLVANIA

4/1/2019

State: PENNSYLVANIA

This course helped me to reflect on my teaching and has given me with many new ideas and activities to enhance my instruction. Professor Harms continually provided timely and encouraging feedback. Thank you for another great experience.

3/12/2019

State: PENNSYLVANIA

Enjoyed the activities

2/24/2019

State: MASSACHUSETTS

10/10/2018

State: Armed Forces AP

7/30/2018

State: CALIFORNIA

Another great course by Marvin Harms. I enjoyed gaining new ideas and perspectives in this course that I will be able to implement in my classroom this coming year!

7/15/2018

State: MISSOURI

6/11/2018

State: CALIFORNIA

5/9/2018

State: ILLINOIS

Excellent class!

4/4/2018

State: OHIO

8/6/2017

State: ILLINOIS

Thanks for the creative lessons!

6/13/2017

State: TENNESSEE

Excellent and helpful course.

6/6/2017

State: MARYLAND

4/18/2017

State: PENNSYLVANIA

Another great course!

3/6/2017

State: NEW YORK

Love all the Marvin Harms classes! I learn a lot and have fun taking the class.

1/24/2017

State: PENNSYLVANIA

1/22/2017

State: PENNSYLVANIA

1/1/2017

State: PENNSYLVANIA

9/18/2016

State: CALIFORNIA

9/7/2016

State: NEVADA

8/13/2016

State: NEW JERSEY

Thanks, I'll see you again in September.

8/1/2016

State: MISSOURI

7/31/2016

State: MASSACHUSETTS

Another great course! There are a lot of engaging experiments to choose from.

7/27/2016

State: CALIFORNIA

7/25/2016

State: CALIFORNIA

Very good refresher to keep my attention and efforts high in my class

7/11/2016

State: COLORADO

6/27/2016

State: NEW JERSEY

This course was wonderful! I learned so much more about the human body through taking it.

5/18/2016

State: PENNSYLVANIA

5/7/2016

State: MARYLAND

Another very good experience. I found the course content to be helpful and relevant and the instructor was extremely helpful and accommodating.

4/29/2016

State: CALIFORNIA

4/5/2016

State: NEW JERSEY

3/23/2016

State: PENNSYLVANIA

2/22/2016

State: PENNSYLVANIA

Thanks for a great class!!!

2/16/2016

State: NEVADA

Excellent course!

1/29/2016

State: PENNSYLVANIA

Great Class

1/7/2016

State: NEW JERSEY

12/21/2015

State: Armed Forces AE

I have completed all my requirements to be a certified science teacher, but I do plan to continue to take more classes with this professor. I really enjoyed how he offered a large variety of different experiments and ideas to use in the classroom. My students really enjoyed the experiments that I did while taking this class.

12/3/2015

State: PENNSYLVANIA

10/4/2015

State: NEVADA

Great class. I really enjoyed the projects and the lessons will go well with my 6th grade ecology unit.

8/24/2015

State: MICHIGAN

8/12/2015

State: PENNSYLVANIA

Great course!! Very useful!!!

8/2/2015

State: NEW YORK

Thank you, Marvin, for your positive feedback of my work on the living systems. I look forward to taking another class with you this fall.

7/28/2015

State: PENNSYLVANIA

As always, lots of wonderful ideas to use with students of all ages.

7/25/2015

State: PENNSYLVANIA

Great way to get a lot of new materials!

6/25/2015

State: MASSACHUSETTS

The course is very useful. I get wonderful ideas for lab activities. Next year our curriculum is changing so these activities may be useful to me.

6/25/2015

State: NEW YORK

a lot of material to be used in the classroom

4/15/2015

State: PENNSYLVANIA

2/3/2015

State: PENNSYLVANIA

9/12/2014

State: CALIFORNIA

8/6/2014

State: NEW YORK

7/2/2014

State: FLORIDA

This course was very helpful and easy to uilize in the classroom

6/17/2014

State: ILLINOIS

5/19/2014

State: NEW YORK

5/12/2014

State: ILLINOIS

Mr. Harms classes are awesome! He gives you lessons you can use today in your classroom.

2/6/2014

State: PENNSYLVANIA

11/7/2013

State: NEW YORK

Another great course Marvin!!

9/8/2013

State: PENNSYLVANIA

8/24/2013

State: OHIO

8/8/2013

State: ILLINOIS

Another great course with Mr. Harms! Thanks for all the new ideas!

6/14/2013

State: WASHINGTON

Thank you for offering the course in a virtual format.

5/21/2013

State: MASSACHUSETTS

This course was an outstanding offering. It provided very relevant information and ideas,which will be very useful in the classroom.

5/12/2013

State: PENNSYLVANIA

5/2/2013

State: MASSACHUSETTS

This course provides great activities and labs that can be easily adapted into any science curriculum.

4/9/2013

State: OHIO

3/19/2013

State: NEW YORK

1/21/2013

State: PENNSYLVANIA

This course provided very detailed and student centered experiments that will increase the effectiveness of any teacher. The information and experiments are easily adapted to meet all level of understanding.

1/10/2013

State: NEVADA

12/28/2012

State: PENNSYLVANIA

8/20/2012

State: ILLINOIS

7/24/2012

State: NEW YORK

7/20/2012

State: PENNSYLVANIA

Great class! I plan to reccommend this class to other teachers in my school district.

6/8/2012

State: PENNSYLVANIA

Great class.

5/31/2012

State: PENNSYLVANIA

Enjoyed working on the course! Look forward to trying some more!

3/8/2012

State: PENNSYLVANIA

Great information. Very useful in the classroom.

1/6/2012

State: CALIFORNIA

10/26/2011

State: PENNSYLVANIA

Great Class. Very helpful.

9/1/2011

State: NEW YORK

8/3/2011

State: CALIFORNIA

7/28/2011

State: OHIO

6/27/2011

State: MISSOURI

6/27/2011

State: MISSOURI

The coursework is instantly applicable and valuable to my teaching. The instructor response is immediate.

6/22/2011

State: PENNSYLVANIA

5/15/2011

State: NEVADA

5/12/2011

State: OHIO

4/30/2011

State: OHIO

2/18/2011

State: WISCONSIN

Great course...helped make my teaching more inquiry based and hands-on!

6/19/2010

State: ILLINOIS

Professor Harms is a terrific instructor who really takes care of the needs of his students. He was always available in a quick fashion to answer any questions or concerns I had. He has put together a great course which is very informative and enjoyable. I can't wait to integrate some of the experiments I learned in this course into my very own classroom. I give this course and Professor Harms rave reviews and will encourage all of my co-workers to take this course.