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Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

DNA Profiling Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Everyone loves a good mystery ... can your class actually solve one? Partnered pupils take on the role of forensic investigators during a three-part activity focusing on DNA evidence processing. Learners discover the methods used to...
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Lesson Plan
Towson University

Berries...With a Side of DNA? (High School)

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Is DNA still present after picking fruit or cooking vegetables? Biology scholars extract and collect DNA strands in an impactful lab. Working groups prepare their samples and compare their results to negative and positive standard...
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Lesson Plan
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

The Making of the Fittest: The Birth and Death of Genes

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Adaptations must be made as environments change. This fabulous presentation features Icelandic icefish, a transparent, scaleless specimen that even has colorless blood. Genetics and adaptations concepts are explored as scientists study...
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Lesson Plan
Towson University

Berries...With a Side of DNA?

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Sometimes science lab can be ... delicious! Middle school science scholars extract DNA from strawberries and other fruits in an engaging lab activity. The teacher's guide includes pacing, materials list, and worksheets with answer keys.
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Lesson Plan
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Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Got Lactase? The Co-Evolution of Genes and Culture

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
Does the human body evolve as quickly as human culture? With a stellar 15-minute video, explore the trait of lactose intolerance. Only about 1/3 of human adults seem to still have the enzyme lactase and therefore, the ability to digest...
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Lesson Plan
Towson University

Chestnut Tree Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What will your class learn in a curious tale of a fungus, a virus, and a chestnut tree? Biology scholars discover the world of viral biocontrols through a DNA restriction lab. Groups research the decline of the American chestnut tree at...
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Lesson Plan
Towson University

The Wildlife Forensics Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Can science put an end to the poaching of endangered species? Show your young forensic experts how biotechnology can help save wildlife through an exciting electrophoresis lab. Grouped pupils analyze shark DNA to determine if it came...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Extracting DNA from Your Cells

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
Three steps are needed to extract DNA from learners' inner cheek cells. The procedure and reasons for each step are explained. As enzymes work on the cells, a series of questions are answered regarding the structure of the DNA molecule....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Watson-Crick Model of DNA Structure

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Junior geneticists construct models of DNA to discover sequencing and pairing of nucleotides. They use the models to simulate protein synthesis and then translate the codes into physical traits. Finally, they use the traits to create a...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Extracting DNA

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Uncover the basics of DNA structure through exploration activities. Collaborative groups build DNA models and recreate the process of replication. Then, using plant cells such as peas or strawberries, they extract a DNA sample.
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Activity
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Teach Engineering

Inside the DNA

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Get your class to take a closer look at DNA. Pupils conduct research to determine the methods used by scientists to analyze the molecular structure of DNA. The class members investigate different types of molecular imaging along with gel...
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Activity
Museum of Science

Strawberry DNA

For Teachers K - 6th
Humans aren't the only ones with DNA—fruit has it too. Using a extraction solution, pupils pull the DNA out of a piece of fruit. Learners crush up a piece of fruit with the solution and filter out the solids. Scholars then add cold...
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Interactive
Chemistry Collective

Virtual Lab: Unknown Concentration of DNA Solution Problem

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
Highlight DNA solution with fluorescent dyes! Scholars use dye to determine the concentration of a DNA solution. As the dyes bind with the DNA solution, learners make conclusions about the limiting reactants.
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Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

DNA Structure, Nucleic Acids, and Proteins

For Teachers 9th - 12th
What is in that double helix? Explain intricate concepts with a variety of creative activities in a lesson that incorporates multiple steps to cover DNA structure, nucleic acids, and proteins. Pupils explore the history of DNA structure,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA on Stick

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners experience a "hands-on" activity to get visual evidence of the physical nature of DNA and the process of DNA purification. They explore one method of chromosomal DNA isolation and DNA extraction.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Mitosis Cookies Activity

For Students 7th - 12th
Reward biology learners for working hard in their mitosis lesson with a sweet snack at the end! They begin by twisting apart creme-filled cookies and using the icing as a cytoplasm. Colored candy sprinkles make up chromosome pairs, which...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA Detectives

For Teachers 10th - 12th
In order to understand DNA fingerprinting, advanced biology aces divise a crime scenario and analyze three different samples of lambda DNA. This creative lesson plan provides practice with micropipettes, electrophoresis boxes, and other...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Innocent or Guilty: A Lab on DNA Gel Electrophoresis

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students use the prelab as an introduction to the importance of DNA fingerprinting- a form of identification that us being accepted by both scientific and leagl experts. They prepare a gel for electrophoresis. DNA fragments, which have...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA Fingerprinting

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the process of DNA Fingerprinting and how DNA Fingerprinting is used in solving crimes. They examine a crime scenario that involves collecting DNA Fingerprinting information from blood collected at the crime scene. They...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reading the Dna Code: Making Protein

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students study DNA decoding and protein synthesis. They use the amino acid table to translate DNA, break DNA strands into three nucleotide codes, and translate nucleotides into amino acid protein codes. They research the importance of...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

DNA Cut and Paste Activity

For Students 9th - 11th
Here is a cut and paste activity worksheet designed for older students. They fill in the blank with information about the composition of DNA, then create a DNA strand with its complimentary nucleotide chain.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dinosaur and DNA Days

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Biology stars extract DNA samples from beef thymus and then examine its properties. They use enzymes to digest the DNA samples, and then use electrophoresis to separate fragments. Finally, they discuss methods and principles of...
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Activity
Nuffield Foundation

Extracting DNA from Living Things

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Help! Someone's trying to take my DNA! An interesting lab experiment has scholars use basic materials to extract DNA. By applying ethanol, cold water, and a protease enzyme, like pineapple juice, they pull strands of DNA from peas,...
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Unit Plan
Rural Science Education Program

Cells, Genetics, and Biotechnology

For Students 8th - 12th Standards
For scholars tired of reading the textbook, this unit includes nine hands-on lessons. Through group work, lab activities, experiments, and even one inquiry-based lesson, scholars apply knowledge about cells, genetics, and biotechnology....