Personality traits and physical appearance traits within families are the focus here. Learners make a poster which lists the shared physical traits they have with their family. Peers look at each poster and write down the traits they see...

In this STEM group of 10 activities, lesson two focuses on the question, "Just because we can, should we?" when considering genetically engineered food. Classes hear a scenario and, as young scientists and geneticists, must determine if...

Sixth-grade scientists gain understanding of how genetic traits manifest with simple experiments, such as determining whether their tongues are roller or non-roller, taster or non-taster. Extensions include performing tests at home with...

It's alive! Turn young biologists into mad scientists with this engaging genetics activity. Using their knowledge of chromosomes and genes, high schoolers create dragons with unique sets of traits,...

Middle schoolers come to understand that in sexually reproducing organisms, such as humans, typically half of the genes come from each parent. Students examine a fictional pedigree and determine which gene is responsible for a given...

Tenth graders work in teams to order events of DNA transcription and translation protein synthesis. In the second lesson, they put the steps of mitosis and meiosis in order using a concept map poster. They use modeling clay to create...

Students investigate their own traits and how they are affected by heredity. In this human traits and heredity lesson, students observe, compare, and describe physical differences among themselves. Students read the book 'We're...

Students explain that in sexually reproducing organisms, such as humans, typically half of the genes come from each parent. They examine a fictional pedigree and determine which gene is responsible for a given trait.

In this lesson plan, 10th graders produces a different phenotype since the dominance is incomplete. Both parents have a spotted nose. After student have determined traits, they create drawings. Students chart thier respones in the...

Students explain how offspring inherit traits from their parents. In this biology lesson, students investigate the genes for nicotine addiction using an interactive website. They construct a fictional pedigree using their chosen...

High schoolers work as a class to first construct a pedigree of a popular singer, showcasing the singing gene being passed down through the generations. Students then make their own family pedigree and follow two traits through their...

Students prepare PowerPoint presentation on DNA and cells. In this biology lesson, students create a storyboard of their presentation. They share the finished project in class. 

Students complete a pre-test on the relationship between heredity and the environment. As a class, they write down descriptions of themselves and identify which traits can be changed and not changed. In groups, they determine which...

Students study genetic traits using popsicle sticks as chromosomes. In this biology lesson, students explain how traits are inherited from parents. They differentiate dominant and recessive genes.

Young scholars define attributes of human chromosomes and match them to make a human karyotype.  In this investigative lesson students demonstrate how traits are encoded in genes found on chromosomes. 

Students predict traits of future offspring. In this biology lesson plan, students study karyotyping to predict genetic disorders. They research an assigned karyotype and present information about it.

Students build chromosome models using popsicle sticks. In this biology lesson, students simulate the Law of Independent Assortment. They use Punnett squares to predict the resulting genotype and phenotype.

Students study the Human Genome Project and participate in a debate about the project. In this genome instructional activity, students review the terms related to the genome project, take a poll about the ethical issues of the project,...

Students determine their inherited characteristics from their parents. In this biology lesson, students study the life of Mendel using an interactive website. They differentiate dominant and recessive characteristics.

Reebops are cute, marshmallow-based creatures that can be used to teach inheritance. Beginning biologists draw strips of paper that represent chromosomes from two envelopes, one for the father, and one for the mother. Each parent...

Students explore the concept of extinction by studying dinosaurs. In this dinosaur lesson, students distinguish between extinct creatures and those that still exist.

Students create PowerPoint presentation on the topic they researched. In this biology lesson, students fill out a storyboard about their topic. They share their project in class.

Students examine how living cells create new cells and how genetic mutations can cause disorders and be inherited.  In this genetic reproductionn lesson plan students create their own PowerPoint presentation. 

Students differentiate phenotypes and genotypes. In this genetics lesson plan, students complete the punnett square. They design their own baby by choosing the phenotype they want.