Community Resources for Science
A Whole New World of DNA and Proteins
Lead your young scientists into an exciting world as they participate in a role play and experiment focused on proteins and DNA. After researching the Central Dogma of Biology, individuals or groups participate in a classroom slide...
Curated OER
Look Alikes
Third graders compare and contrast the physical features of parents and offspring. In this life science lesson, 3rd graders classify a set of animal pictures according to their similarities. They share and explain their work in class.
Curated OER
Sequencing
Learners gather information about gene sequencing. In this biology lesson, students use the Internet to access information about gene sequencing, then work in pairs to read and record a gene sequence. Lesson includes extension activities.
Curated OER
Finding the Structure: Pieces of the Puzzle
Students gather information about DNA. For this biology lesson, students watch video clips of scientists discussing their contribution to the understanding of DNA, then work a puzzle correlating information to scientist. Lesson includes...
Curated OER
Dealing with DNA Controversy
Pupils research controversial statements about biological applications and write a persuasive essay. For this biology lesson plan, students are assigned a controversial statement as a research topic, then they use this topic to create a...
Curated OER
Lamarck And Darwin
Students compare Lamarck's mechanism for evolution with Darwin's theory of natural selection.
Virginia Department of Education
Adaptation and Evolution
Um may be the atomic symbol for confusion, but it won't be needed in this instructional activity. Scholars rotate through seven stations completing experiments, hands-on activities, writing exercises, and analysis. Stations include...
WK Kellogg Biological Station
Sounds of Selection
Do you want a creative and fun way to teach about natural selection? Hop to it by turning your middle school princes and princesses into frogs trying to catch as many bugs as possible in a Hungry Hungry Hippos style game. For high...
Curated OER
What Do Genes Look Like?
Seventh graders describe the basic structure of the DNA molecule. They identify what an inherited trait is and how it can be determined by one or more genes. Finally, 7th graders identify that plant and animal cells contain several...
Curated OER
What Does That DNA Molecule Really Look Like???
Students extract DNA from animal liver cells. They separate, collect and describe the appearance from the extracted DNA while role playing as an intern in a city's forensics.
Curated OER
DESIGNER GENES: ONE SIE FITS ALL?
Students explore genetic engineering and issues related to risks and benefits of altering agricultural products.
Curated OER
Plant and Animal Cell Structure
Seventh graders identify the different parts and functions of the cell. In this biology lesson, 7th graders make a labelled diagram of either a plant or animal cell. They write a story about it.
Curated OER
Homology
Students investigate the concept of homology. They are particularly interested in finding information about developmental homology. Students design a new animal correcting obvious mistakes on a worksheet provided by the teacher. They...
Curated OER
Meiosis
Students study meiosis and how it leads to variation. In this genetic reproduction lesson students complete a lab activity that calculates different genetic possibilities.
Curated OER
Biotechnology
Students explore biotechnology through various activities. In this biology activity, students analyze its pros and cons. They study and read informative articles about biotechnology.
Curated OER
Molecular Evidence for Evolutionary Relationships
Students compare the amino acid sequences in cytochrome-c for a variety of organisms and use this information to infer evolutionary relationships. Students investigate the role of homeobox genes and what this indicates about the...
Curated OER
Evolution of Biotechnology Timeline
Learners explore how present biotechnology has evolved. They create a timeline is included referencing major scientists and major events in history which have led to our current understanding and use. A teacher time line is included.
Curated OER
Natural Selection And Evolution
Seventh graders investigate the concept of natural selection and its relationship to the theory of evolution. They conduct research using a variety of resources and use the information to create a class presentation and open up the...
Curated OER
Edible DNA
Students use multicolored soft candies (gumdrops and candy orange slices) and toothpicks to create models of DNA structures. They discuss the fact that DNA must copy itself before splitting into two cells. Students demonstrate this by...
Curated OER
Gametogenesis and Fertilization
High schoolers explore how this module focuses on part of the cycle of alternation of generations: meiosis to produce haploid spores and fertilization to produce a diploid zygote which grows into the adult plant.
Curated OER
Genetics: Genes and DNA
Students study DeoxyriboNucleic Acid or commonly known as DNA and discover importance of DNA strand, chromosomes, and genes.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
The Making of the Fittest: Got Lactase? The Co-evolution of Genes and Culture
Got milk? Only two cultures have had it long enough to develop the tolerance of lactose as an adult. Learn how the responsible genes evolved along with the cultures that have been consuming milk. This rich film is supplied with a few...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Survival of the Fittest - Variations in the Clam Species Clamys sweetus
It's not often that you come across a clever laboratory activity that is both imaginative and comprehensive! Using M&M's and Reese's peanut butter candies to represent two different clam species, young biologists test for "relative...
Curated OER
Never Say Die: The CLock of Life
Students explore ways to turn back the genetic clock. They explore cells and mitosis. Students participate in an activity to create a flip book that will animate the process of mitosis. They explain each stage of mitosis.