Developed for teachers of junior high school science classes, this unit presents ten investigations on plant growth, animal life, pond life, and general science interests. These investigations are designed to accompany any popular life science textbooks, may be used to supplement a year-long course in life science, are intended as a springboard for further student study, are written for a wide range of student abilities, and contain hands-on activities. The materials required for these investigations are commonly found in junior high science classrooms or in high school chemistry stockrooms. The following investigations are presented: (1) plant growth; (2) plant growth and nutritional deficiency; (3) the colorful coleus (photosynthesis); (4) tropism (growth patterns in plants); (5) a friend of the soil (earthworm); (6) life in a rotting log (story of succession); (7) life in a pond; (8) plant and animal cells; (9) water and soil analyses; and (10) construction of a terrquarium (a multipurpose, combination terrarium and aquarium). The format varies for each of these investigations but many contain an introduction, procedures, materials required, and followup studies. Some contain additional activities, questions, notes to the teacher, and observations. This document is part of a collection of materials from the Iowa Area Education Agency 7 Teacher Center project. (EM)