Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetic Engineering/Biotechnology

For Teachers 12th - Higher Ed
Students create a paper model of a plasmid and insert a DNA molecule that contains a specific gene into the plasmid. They complete an actual transformation involving E. coli bacterium and relate the two activities to one another.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constructing a Phylogenetic Tree

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are given the opportunity to analyze DNA sequence differences between organisms in order to establish a reasonable picture of the evolutionary relationships between them (Phylogenetic Tree). In the simulation form they are...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Molecular Explorations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain the processes for separating DNA from tissue and separating complex mixtures.  In this exploratory lesson students complete a lab where they extract DNA.  
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genes

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore the history, inheritance and mutations of genetics.  In this genetic lesson students complete experiments on DNA sequences.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

BLAST Algorithm

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students explore a series of activities on using BLAST. In this biology lesson plan, students explain the significance of BLAST in DNA query. They give real world applications of BLAST.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rainbow Electrophoresis

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students are introduced to the principles of gel electrophoresis and also provides an opportunity for students to practice loading gels and prpetting. In this laboratory activity, food color is used to separate into constituent pigments.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Done It?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students work in groups to solve various murder mysteries using DNA evidence to implicate suspects. Teams compete to solve the crimes the fastest, while using various scientific methods to accomplish their task.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spork and Beans

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine natural selection, how it works and how it can cause microevolution.  In this evolution lesson plan students complete a lab activity that shows the effects that natural selection has on organisms.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biotechnology: Drug Delivery and Diffusion

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover advances in biomedical technology such as transdermal delivery and other non-invasive procedures. In lab activities, they examine how medication is given and how molecules travel, observe electrophoresis, and conduct...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetics and Heredity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study genetics and heredity. They explore the structure of DNA and genes through a series of activities that includes watching videos, conducting online research, and making vocabulary books. They investigate DNA, genetics,...
Unit Plan
Kenan Fellows

Unit 3: Genetic Variation

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What happens when genes change? Junior genetic investigators examine the effects of mutation in the third unit of a four-part Biotechnology series. Individuals discover the types of mutations through a series of PowerPoints, then partner...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Whose DNA Is That?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners investigate the use of technology in order to identify different sequences of amino acids by using online web tools. They enhance problem solving skills with amino acid identification skills and strengthening comfort with using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Vaccines

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore and explain the role of vaccines in infectious disease, They emphasize immunological principles and viral/bacterial infection processes. Students explore the three main vaccine types: DNA vaccines ("gene gun"),...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Disease Diagnosis

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students comprehend how biotechnology can be used to diagnose infectious disease such as protein technologies vs. DNA technologies. They comprehend procedure and uses of PCR, Western Blot, and ELISA as diagnostic tools. Students know how...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pharmaceutical Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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.
Unit Plan
Kenan Fellows

Unit 4: The Brain

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Drugs interact with the brain to alter moods, emotions, and behaviors by changing the brain's chemistry, perceptions, and interactions. The final lesson in the Pharmacology unit shows scholars experiments, has them complete four labs,...
Unit Plan
Kenan Fellows

Unit 3: How Drugs Enter/Exit the Body

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The third of a four-part series on Pharmacology teaches scholars how drugs enter and exit the body, how they act inside the body, how they affect the brain, and more. Over the course of the unit, groups complete two labs and one...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wolf Pack in a Bottle

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students participate in an activity of a mock electrophoresis using paper chromatography to study DNA and genetic restriction mapping.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Chips" Off the Old Block?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students study using analogies between common items or occurrences and science concepts. They use the analogy of cookie recipes to that of the DNA "recipes" for living things to help us explain more about mutations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Yeast as an Ultraviolet Light Measurement Tool

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students accurately measure the relationship between radiation dose and either survival or some genetic event such as mutation or recombination. They investigate the damage that was done to the DNA molecule as a result of exposure to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Amino Acids

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore what amino acids are, their history and how they are used in technology.  In this protein lesson students identify the properties of proteins and amino acids.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mission Possible

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students, in teams, solve a crime using forensic lab techniques. They apply lab techniques to a real life situation using a crime scenario that takes place on campus. Sample activities include Blood, Fiber, and Hair Lab.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetics: Integrated with History and Art

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students work cooperatively in pairing chromosomes, created statistical genetic babies using the face lab, constructed a color DNA booklet and demonstrated mitosis in a flip book.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ethical Ways to Acquire and Distribute Fish as a Food Source

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students complete a variety of activities as they examine the ethics of acquiring and distributing fish as a food source. They touch on the ethics involved in genetically modified salmon, as well.