Curated OER
The Human Mind
Young scholars read and discuss twin studies to explore the debate of nature vs. nurture. They create a list of characteristics and then look for evidence of whether it is primarily a genetic or environmental characteristic. All of the...
Curated OER
Chromosomes and Genetic Mapping
Students create models of chromosomes using clay, coins, beads, or marbles. They complete a worksheet regarding their crossover frequencies they created with their chromosomes and gene models. They read an essay on sex chromosomes and...
Curated OER
"Publication" of Scientific Papers And Posters
Students create and display a scientific poster in the same format that scientists use at a research symposium. They compile data and make conclusions about the classification of the Arizona Hedgehog Cactus as an endangered species. ...
Curated OER
Designer Genes For A Designer World
Students explore how organisms adapt to their environments through changes in their genetic codes. They create make-believe creatures and environments that have specific characteristics.
Curated OER
Megabeasts
In this biology worksheet, students use their mathematical skills to create a three dimensional scale model of an ancient insect. They draw a diagram of their insect and label it with as much information as possible.
Curated OER
Cell Types
Fourth graders create cartoon characters which compare and contrast two types of cells: nerve and muscle. Cartoon characters show how these two cells are similar, how they are different, and the relationship between the two cell types.
Curated OER
International Institute of Archaeology an Anthropology
Middle schoolers research early humans and their cultures. They conduct Internet research, discuss their findings with their group, evaluate the information provided by artifacts, and create a report to present to a simulated archaeology...
Curated OER
GM Foods: Are They Safe?
Students examine the process for testing GM foods. They research benefits and hazards of a selection of GM foods. They also create images of new labels and marketing for GM foods.
Curated OER
Cracking Codes and Ciphers
Students explore different codes and ciphers including Morse Code, Egyptian Hieroglyphs, and the Alphabet. They discuss how and why codes are used. Students create their own code and message to exchange with classmates.
Curated OER
Lost Baby
Learners simulate the steps involved in creating a DNA fingerprint by the RFLP technique. They analyze RFLP patterns to determine the parentage of a missing baby.
Curated OER
Why Do We Need Vitamin C in Our Diet?
Students compare/contrast the DNA sequence data of the rat GULO gene to the inactive human GULO gene. They translate and align the sequences, and propose a scenario to explain the occurrence of an inactive DNA sequence to that of an...
Curated OER
Why do we need Vitamin C in our diet? Or Why do we carry old inactive genes in our genome?
Students explore and explain how mutations in the DNA sequence of a gene may be silent or result in phenotypic change in an organism and in its offspring. They analyze how evolution and biodiversity are the result of genetic changes that...
Curated OER
The Effects of Ultra-Violet Light on Yeast
Learners work in small groups collecting and analyzing data as they learn how to best grow yeast. This lesson allows students to conduct several student-created experiments as they continually generate questions and hypotheses. ...
Curated OER
Transformation of E. coli with Antibiotic Resistance
Students participate in an experiment in which they transform an E. coli cell. They discover how the genetic make-up of the cell can be changed by added foreign DNA. They answer questions to complete the lab.
Curated OER
Genes
Young scholars discuss the difference between a gene, DNA, chromatid, and chromosome. They predict how changes in chromosome number or structure affect development. Students discuss what causes genetic disorders. They view a...
Curated OER
Science Writing for the Masses: a Primer
Learners demonstrate a basic understanding of the molecular basis of heredity. They discuss the chemical and structural properties of DNA and explain how genetic information is encoded in genes, replicated, transcribed and translated...
Curated OER
Viruses and Host Evolution
Young scholars research viruses and their effects on the evolution of a rabbit population. They complete a teacher created worksheet of questions on their research. They present their research to classmates.
Curated OER
Cells and Cancer
Students idenitfy that cancer is a growth of mutated cells and that cancer cells are only one type of cell that causes disease in our body. They also identify that all eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus, cytoskeleton, and a cell...
Curated OER
Antisense Oligonucleotide Therapy
Students conduct Internet research on Antisense Oligonucleotide Therapy. They design a puzzle to represent these processes, read and summarize an article, conduct research, and design a theoretical experimental procedure.
Curated OER
Tour of the Cell 1
Each of these slides deals with an individual organelle and displays a diagram along with labels of the structures. The most useful components of this slideshow are the summaries of functions and descriptions of how the organelles are...
Personal Genetics Education Project
Genome Editing and CRISPR
Explore the excitement and ethical challenges of CRISPR and genetic-editing technology. Participants engage in do-nows, view a slideshow, and collaborate on scenarios about genetic editing. Group members analyze scenarios to generate...
The Science Spot
Cells & Organelles
Familiarize young biologists with the inner workings of eukaryotic cells with this vocabulary learning exercise. By cutting out and matching a series of definitions and memorization tips to the organelles listed in the...
Curated OER
Pharmaceutical Lesson Plan
Students are able to discuss and prepare a written summary of a scientific article about AIDS. They propose solutions to the opening activity of which drug is more effective in the fight against AIDS.
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...