Microbiome Phenomena Poster Set

Help students investigate the fascinating world of microorganisms with this engaging Microbiome phenomena resource.

This six-poster collection uses visually rich science phenomena to encourage students to observe patterns, analyze evidence, ask questions, and develop explanations about microorganisms, microbial communities, body systems, and the many interactions that occur within a microbiome.

Students move beyond the idea that all microorganisms are harmful and begin exploring how diverse populations of microbes can interact with one another and with their host.

What’s Included

This resource includes six individual full-color portrait phenomena posters.

Each poster includes:

A high-interest phenomenon question

A detailed science visual, model, or real-world scenario

“What do you notice?” observation prompts

“What do you wonder?” discussion questions

Key science vocabulary

A “Try This Thinking” activity or challenge

A CER Starter for Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning practice

A concise science statement reinforcing the main concept

Explore the Invisible World of Microorganisms

Microorganisms are everywhere, yet most cannot be seen without specialized tools.

The phenomena give students visual entry points for investigating organisms that normally remain invisible.

Students can explore how microorganisms live in communities, interact with their environments, and influence larger biological systems.

Investigate the Human Microbiome

Students can consider the enormous communities of microorganisms that live on and inside the human body.

The posters encourage students to investigate questions such as:

What kinds of microorganisms live in and on the body?

Are all microorganisms harmful?

How can microorganisms interact with their host?

Why might different people have different microbial communities?

What factors could cause a microbiome to change?

How might those changes affect the larger system?

These questions provide an engaging foundation for investigating biological systems and interactions.

Examine Microbial Communities

A microbiome is not simply a collection of individual microbes.

Students investigate how populations of microorganisms form communities in which organisms interact with one another and their environment.

The phenomena help students consider competition, resource availability, environmental conditions, and changes within microbial populations.

Analyze Cause-and-Effect Relationships

Changes within a microbiome can have effects throughout the larger system.

Students can examine evidence and consider what may have caused a microbial population to increase, decrease, or change.

This encourages students to move beyond simple observation and develop explanations supported by evidence.

Build Systems Thinking

The microbiome provides an excellent context for understanding complex biological systems.

Students can identify components of a system, examine interactions, trace possible causes and effects, and consider how a change in one part of the system might influence other parts.

These skills support deeper understanding across life science topics.

Develop Observation and Questioning Skills

Each poster includes structured Notice and Wonder prompts that encourage students to investigate before forming an explanation.

Students can:

Identify patterns

Compare microbial populations

Analyze visual models

Generate scientific questions

Consider cause-and-effect relationships

Make predictions

Develop and revise explanations

These routines support inquiry-based instruction and meaningful classroom conversation.

Strengthen Science Vocabulary

Important science vocabulary is embedded within meaningful phenomena.

Students encounter concepts related to microorganisms, microbiome, bacteria, populations, communities, interactions, host, environment, evidence, and systems while actively using those terms to explain what they observe.

Displaying the posters throughout the unit provides students with an ongoing visual vocabulary reference.

Support CER Practice

Each poster includes a student-friendly CER Starter.

Students practice making a Claim, identifying Evidence from the phenomenon or model, and using Reasoning to explain how that evidence supports their scientific explanation.

Repeated CER opportunities help students develop stronger arguments about relationships and changes within microbial communities.

Challenge Common Misconceptions

Students may enter the unit believing that bacteria and other microorganisms are always harmful.

These phenomena provide opportunities to examine evidence and develop a more complete understanding of microorganisms and their varied roles.

Students can revise their ideas as they discover that microbial interactions can have many different effects within biological systems.

Great for Classroom Use

Use these posters for:

Whole-group science instruction

Phenomenon launches

Science focus walls

Notice and Wonder routines

Small-group instruction

Science centers

Science notebook responses

Vocabulary development

CER practice

Biological systems modeling

Microbiome discussions

Evidence analysis

Partner conversations

Unit introductions

Review and reinforcement

Classroom displays

Revisit the Phenomena Throughout the Unit

Introduce each phenomenon before students have developed a complete explanation and collect their initial ideas.

As students gather evidence about microorganisms and microbial communities, return to the posters and ask them to revise their thinking.

Students can identify new interactions, incorporate more precise vocabulary, and strengthen their explanations as their understanding develops.

Make an Invisible Biological System Visible

The microbiome is difficult to understand because its organisms and interactions occur at a scale students cannot directly observe.

These posters provide visual models and engaging phenomena that help students investigate this hidden world.

By combining compelling science situations with structured questioning, systems thinking, vocabulary development, and CER practice, this resource provides meaningful support throughout a Microbiome unit.

Important Disclaimer

This resource is independently created and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or produced by Amplify Education. The use of “Amplify” in the product title is intended only to help educators identify the curriculum topic with which this supplemental resource may be used. Amplify Education owns its respective trademarks and curriculum materials.