Towson University
Berries...With a Side of DNA? (High School)
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...
Concord Consortium
DNA: The Double Helix
Picture a double helix as a twisted ladder. Scholars see this image through a simulation that allows young scientists to observe a small fragment of DNA in many different formats. They compare the models, colors, bonds, and strands as...
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...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
The DNA Molecule Is Shaped like a Twisted Ladder
One of the first models of DNA appeared to be a triple helix. Young scientists learn about the many scientists who worked to find the shape of DNA. They observe multiple models, tests, and experiments to understand the conclusions. An...
Concord Consortium
Modeling Transcription
Transcription makes copies of the instructions inside all living things. Scholars use the simulation to separate DNA and transcribe the RNA. They see a demonstration of the nucleotide pairings as well as the start and stop instructions.
PBS
DNA 101: Life's Instruction Manual | UNC-TV Science
Unravel the DNA molecule in just over a minute! Future geneticists listen and watch a video exploring DNA's structure, function, and the interaction of the genes and proteins that decode and interpret the complex molecule. Scholars...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Bacteria and Viruses Have DNA Too
In the 1940s, scientists discovered bacteria conjugation, the process of DNA transfer or bacterial sex. The discovery proved that bacteria and viruses contain DNA and led to a Nobel prize. Interested individuals learn about the...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
DNA Is Packaged in a Chromosome
Roger Kornberg, the oldest son of two biochemists, won the 2006 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Learn about Kornberg and his scientific research with an animation, videos, biography, and an applied problem-solving activity. A summary and...
Curated OER
From Gene to Protein ~ Transcription and Translation
Translate the process of protein synthesis to your molecular biologists with this instructional activity. It consists of reading, completing a table as a summary, comprehension questions, and a modeling activity for both transcription...
Curated OER
Gel Electrophoresis: Sort and See the DNA
In this DNA instructional activity, learners access a website to learn how DNA fragments are separated through the process of gel electrophoresis. Then students model the construction of DNA fingerprints and practice interpreting...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Genes Can Be Moved Between Species
Biotechnology changes lives every day, but how did it all start? Learn about Cohen and Boyer's technique for recombinant DNA and the founding of this new scientific study. Then, scholars use the online interactive to discover how Hanahan...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
DNA Is Only the Beginning for Understanding the Human Genome
Mario Capecchi requested funding for a new procedure targeting genes and was rejected. Four years later, after he proved it worked, the NIH apologized and funded his research. Use an online interactive to learn about his research and the...
Curated OER
Protein Synthesis
In this protein synthesis worksheet, students use a given strand of DNA to write the complimentary base pairs. They transcribe the message to the RNA and then they translate the message into the proper amino acids using the codons on the...
Towson University
The Wildlife Forensics Lab
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...
Oklahoma State University
Hairy Heredity
Young scholars learn that heredity comes down to the flip of a coin with this cross-curricular math and science lesson. Using smiley faces as a model, students toss coins to determine which dominant or recessive traits...
Concord Consortium
Modeling Translation
An mRNA sequences make proteins, the most common molecules in cells. Young scientists observe translation of mRNA on ribosomes. They view them forming amino acids. Finally, the amino acids curl into proteins.
Concord Consortium
3D Exploration of Bound Antibody and Antigen
Our body manufactures antibodies that are the exact shape for the antigens it encounters. The simulation shows a 3-D model of an antibody and antigen pairing. It allows young scientists to explore the complementary shapes.
Curated OER
Megabeasts
Create larger-than-life insects for the classroom. Bugs are usually pretty small, but during the Jurassic period they were huge. Kids use diagramming and scale conversion to enlarge a modern day insect so that it is as big as its ancient...
Curated OER
Nucleic Acid
In this chromosome worksheet students complete a crossword puzzle by answering questions on DNA, nucleic acids, nucleotides and RNA.
Curated OER
How HIV Infects Cells
In this how HIV infects cells activity, students read the given information about how HIV infects cells. Students explain the role of various structures in HIV infection. Students design a drug that might slow the rate of cellular...
Curated OER
Mitosis Cookies Activity
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,...
Curated OER
Model Organisms: The Genes We Share
In this genetics activity, students access a website to learn about how human genes mutate to cause heritable disorders such as Huntington disease. Students use the information on this website to complete 12 short answer questions.
Lincoln Public Schools
Cell Exploration Activities
Engage young biologists in exploring the mysteries of life with this collection of hands-on activities. Enlisting the help of numerous digital resources, students get an up-close look at the structure of plant and animal...
Curated OER
Making Molecules
In this making molecules worksheet, students complete a table of elements with their symbol, atomic number, atomic mass, number of protons, number of electrons, period and group. Students then make models using pipe cleaners and beads of...