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Bionic Trees
Students examine the debate about using trees to clean up the environment by reading and discussing a news article. They research the various contexts for which scientists may want to genetically alter trees and assess the validity of...
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Genetics: Who are you?
Study, manipulate, and research genetic traits. Discuss how genetic traits are passed from one generation to another. Classmates explore how they look like their parents and debate whether or not they can do anything about it? They...
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Food of the Future
Students combine their knowledge of genetics, farming and nutrition to design a genetically engineered food. Students focus on how the food will be improved, how it differs from the original product, what types of modifications will be...
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Genetic Testing for Disease Susceptibility
Students explore how testing for particular genetic variations can help people to make decisions in lifestyle and health care choices. They analyze a Web-based case study, participate in class discussion, view video segments and...
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How Is the Genetic Code Ultimately Translated Into a Protein?
Students examine the functions of mRNA, rRNA and tRNA. They explain the steps in the protein synthesis process. They practice using new vocabulary as well.
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Genetically Modified Foods
High schoolers explain what genetically modified foods are and how they are created. Students use appropriate vocabulary to describe and effectively discuss the benefits of, and potential risks of, genetically modified foods.
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Plastic Egg Genetics
Students are introduced to the concepts of genetic dominance, recessiveness, related terms, Punnett Squares, etc.
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People Are Like Peas in a Pod
Learners experiment with peapods to show the diversity of individual within a population. They examine dominant traits, recessive traits, genotypes, and phenotypes and show the process of making a Punnett Square.
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Frankenfish
Students learn the difference between a genotype and a phenotype. They demonstrate that recombination of gametes (coins) will result in the formation of unique individuals.
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Toothpick Fish
Students experiment with genes and environment for a population of "Toothpick Fish."
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Genetics: Mice Rule! (Or Not)
Learners explore genetics and evolution by examining a hypothetical mouse population. Using coin tosses, they determine mouse traits of parents and offspring. Finally, they consider the outcomes of changing environmental conditions on...
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Blue Genes: Affect Your Life!
Students, in groups, research, analyze and synthesize information on genetic diseases. After watching a video on genetics, groups perform research on a variety of genetic diseases and present their findings to the class.
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Designer Genes
Students view a video on DNA. They discuss mitosis, meiosis and fertilization. They use strips of paper to simulate fertilization and analyze the genotype and phenotype of the combined chromosomes.
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Race and Genetics: An Integrated Approach
Pupils analyze racial issues related to the Human Genome Project. They participate in a mock symposium and write a reflection/position paper based on specific ethical principals.
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GMOs: Should We Grow Them?
Students examine the ethics of biotechnology and genetically modifying various organisms. They complete various activities and labs on GMOs and then write a position paper regarding their individual opinions on the subject.
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Alcohol and Driving: When to Say No
Students inspect the factors involved in blood alcohol concentration. They observe a Web-based driving simulation and discover the physical and mental impairments caused by alcohol. They calculate the blood alcohol content in various...
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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...
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Heredity
Middle schoolers create their own baby pets based on the genes of the two parents.
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Genetics: You Are Unique
Students investigate genetics as the study of inherited traits. They complete a worksheet.
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Don't Delete Me
Fourth graders explore genetic disorders, which can be caused by a malfunction in a particular chromosome and how these can cause genetic mutation.
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Dare to be Punnett Square
Eighth graders become familiar with Punnett squares, specifically purpose, application and interpretation. Key terms from previous lessons (included below) are reviewed/reinforced before data is applied to a Punnett square and interpreted.
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Genetics
Students investigate public policy regarding genetic research and have formed an educated opinion on what they believe the government role should be.
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Genetic Disease Symposium
Pupils research simple and complex inheritance patterns, fetal development and the potential complications of teratogens, fetal and genetic testing, and the ethical, legal, and social implications of genetic counseling.