Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA Chips

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore issues surrounding DNA microarray technology. They focus on a single area of biomedical research to help them explain how science, people, ethics, and history all fit together. They analyze gene-expression data.
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...
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

SAY IT WITH DNA: Protein Synthesis Tutorial

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore protein synthesis. In this DNA lesson students complete a worksheet and a DNA lab activity. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sequence Alignment

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore the uses of sequence alignment.  In this DNA activity students complete several experiments on sequencing and algorithms. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Science Box: DNA Fingerprinting

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students identify DNA in a crime scenario. For this DNA lesson, students perform paper chromatography and compare it against the pens of various suspects.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Restriction Digest + DNA Comparison

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare different DNA and run a gel electrophoresis.  In this DNA instructional activity students complete a DNA activity that allows them to better understand its structure and function. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA Sequencing Model Lab

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students pretend they are each genetic engineers with a test tube of unknown DNA (PCR'd) possibly taken from blood cells of someone with a genetic condition.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA Dry Lab

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students use a DNA strand to identify the component parts. They discuss an RNA molecule, protein fragments, and nucleotides. They explore how the order of nucleotides determines the order of amino acids in proteins.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA replication

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students write an essay on the basic steps of the DNA replication process accurately enough to show a complete understanding of the subject. Finally, student correctly identify the polarity of the template strand and match the correct...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Candy DNA Model Lesson

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Young scholars explore DNA structure using materials such as Twizzlers, small colored gumdrops and/or toothpicks.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

COMPARISON OF FOUR-, SIX-, AND EIGHT-bp CUTS IN CALF THYMUS DNA

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use this laboratory exercise, restriction enzymes to recognize a four-, six-, and eight-nucleotide sequence. Assuming that the four component nucleotides (A, C, T, G) are distributed randomly within a DNA molecule, then any...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building a DNA Molecule, Mitosis in Motion and Mutation Gossip

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explore three lab experiments involving DNA, mitosis, and mutation. They complete activities and play games to review DNA, mitosis and mutation concepts. They build a DNA molecule and create flip cards representing mitosis in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wolves: DNA Pawprinting

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils explore and research the most widely distributed terrestrial carnivore, the wolf. They critique the true mystery of this animal and then form an opinion about this creature. The restriction-site analysis of mitochondrial DNA is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evolutionary Relationships Based Upon Comparative Genetics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate the protein cytochrome c in an attempt to use its genetic chemistry to study possible evolutionary relationships between organisms. The lesson integrates technology with the use computers to perform DNA analysis.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recombinant DNA - Electrophoresis Demonstration and Problem

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Suitable for an AP Biology class, the lab found here has teen bioengineers working with plasmids to clone DNA. If you have not done a similar lab, the instructions may be rather difficult to follow. Both the teacher and learner...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Enzyme and Southern Blotting

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study southern blotting and its uses. They research on restriction enzymes and their uses, especially in relation to recombinant DNA. In addition, they write a summary and an interpretation of the gel.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Effect of Natural Selection on Genes, Traits and Individuals

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Rotating through five stations, evolutionary biologists explore the question of how changes in DNA facilitate the changes in a population over time. High-quality, colorful cards of animals, skeletons, skulls, and DNA sequences can all be...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pseudogene Suite

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners use Biology Workbench to explore DNA sequence data for the GULOP gene in humans, chimpanzees, orangutans, and crab-eating macaques and the beta globin gene and its pseduogene in humans, gorillas, and chimpanzees.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA is Who I Am

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use the SEE strategy to visually organize data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Transcription and Translation Lab Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate DNA strands. They study the sequence to determine if it is DNA or RNA and write the mRNA nucleotide sequence. After stringing the beads together to create the mRNA sequence they translate it into an amino acid...
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

Restriction Enzymes

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore enzymes and enzyme combinations. They examine and cut up and practice matching DNA sequences.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA Coloring - Transcription and Translation

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
In this DNA worksheet, students review the transcription and translation processes. Students label and color the different parts of a DNA strand. This worksheet has 7 fill in the blank questions.