Curated OER
Using the Internet: Punnett Squares
Seventh graders discuss their own genetic traits. Using computers, they research the creation of Punnett Squares. They preform online experiments with peas, predicting the appearances of the offspring. They determine how genetic traits...
Serendip
Should States Repeal Their Laws Banning First Cousin Marriage?
Around half of the states in the US ban first cousin marriage, but does science support that ban? Scholars work through genetic analysis of the risks to understand if more states should ban the practice—or if some should remove it. They...
Curated OER
Human Genetic Diseases
Although there are a few missing titles in this collection of slides, if your class has the support of a genetic disease lecture to accompany it, this resource will be very useful. The mechanism of genetic inheritance is covered. Flow...
Serendip
Soap Opera Genetics – Genetics to Resolve Family Arguments
Did she cheat on her husband? Did the hospital switch the babies? Should they have children? As much as this sounds like the plot for a soap opera, all of these questions fit into a single lesson on genetics. Scholars read about three...
Curated OER
Human Genetic Diseases
Although there are a few missing titles in this collection of slides, if your class has prior knowledge of genetic diseases then this resource could be useful. The mechanism of genetic inheritance are covered and both flow charts and...
US National Library of Medicine
Basic Genetic Concepts and Terms
Have you ever wondered why you aren't taller or invisible? It all comes down to your dominant and recessive genes. Introduce your class members to genetics with a presentation that includes worksheets for young geneticists to complete...
Curated OER
ABO Blood Types Worksheet
Blood types and transfusions are explained in reading passages at the top of the worksheet. A chart of blood type compatibility is also provided. Biology students answer comprehension questions and then exercise critical-thinking skills...
Curated OER
How Unique Are You?
Students explore how genetic information is passed down from parent to offspring. Because of this, they examine how this causes the variation in each species.
Curated OER
Peter Rabbit Meets Charles Darwin
Ninth graders explore evolution. They study a cartoon scenario of a rabbit population in which there is selection and a change of gene frequency. Students discuss frequencies, evolution, and speciation.
Curated OER
Modeling a Gene Pool
In this genetic worksheet, students examine how gene frequency changes in a population of organisms. After completing 5 pre-lab questions, they work in pairs to collect data and answer 5 additional post-lab questions.
Curated OER
Genes Count
Students view a video that reviews Mendelian genetics. They discuss the Hardy-Weinberg Law and use Popsicle sticks to simulate genetic variations and ratios in offspring.
Curated OER
Heredity-Science Puzzlers, Twisters & Teasers
For this genetics worksheet, students complete 9 questions about heredity, genes, and alleles in the form of riddles, word scrambles, word puzzles, and brain teasers.
US National Library of Medicine
Monster Genetics Lab
Harness young scientists' knowledge of genetics with an engaging science activity. Students start by flipping a coin to determine the genotypes and phenotypes of two parent monsters, before using Punnett squares to determine the...
University of Colorado
Punnett Squares with Piebald Deer
Explore the science behind Earth's amazing diversity of life with this lesson plan on genetics. Looking at specific traits in piebald deer, carnations, and roan cattle, young scientists use Punnett squares to determine the possible...
Curated OER
Parental Genes
Eighth graders explore how different organisms pass their traits to their offspring. In this life science instructional activity, 8th graders differentiate recessive and dominant alleles. They predict the phenotype based on the genotype...
Curated OER
Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
Students investigate how Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium is established and what assumptions and conditions are necessary to reach Equilibrium. They model alleles using materials such as index cards, M & M's and goldfish.
Curated OER
Genetics of Parenthood
Students participate in an activity where they flip coins to determine which allele they pass on to the F1 generation and draw the resulting child's face. They identify several inheritance patterns including dominant, recessive,...
Curated OER
How You Become a Unique Individual
Students investigate how traits are passed from parents to offspring via meiosis and fertilization. They recognize that the combination of alleles forming a gamete is random.
Curated OER
Oompah Loompa Genetics
In this genetics worksheet, students use descriptive information about the different types of Oompa Loompas to show genotype and phenotype plus dominant and recessive traits. This worksheet has 12 problems to solve.
Curated OER
Happy Face Spider Propagation
Students research genetic adaptations. In this chromosome instructional activity, students investigate dominant and recessive genes using spiders indigenous to Hawaii. Students create Punnett squares to determine the probability of...
Virginia Department of Education
Passing Traits to Offspring
What makes each one of us unique? Lead your class in this exciting and educational activity as you uncover traits that show how each individual is different from another. Pupils explore facts about DNA technology and predict the...
US National Library of Medicine
Genetic Traits in Harry Potter
Explore human genetics through the world of Harry Potter. A thorough lesson develops the introductory concepts of genetics using characters of the popular book series. Learners study topics from DNA and chromosomes to Punnett Squares and...
Beyond Benign
Kitten Creation
Your pupils become geneticists as they create cat offspring. The next lesson plan in a series continues an exploration of genetic makeup as scholars consider parent traits to build their offspring. Using household items, they create...
Science 4 Inquiry
Monster Mash-Up of Genetics
It's alive! Young mad scientists create monsters as they explore the probabilities of genetic traits during a well-structured inquiry lesson. Pairs travel from station to station, rolling the dice and adding traits to their creations as...