Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Biochemistry and Cell Signaling Pathway of the Mc1r Gene
How do mice have so much fur color variation over generations? Scholars illustrate protein structures based on amino acid sequences. Then, they analyze the signaling pathway in different-colored mice populations. This allows them to...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Color Variation Over Time in Rock Pocket Mouse Populations
While many mutations are neutral, those that appear advantageous increase in frequency in a population. Scholars use illustrations to make predictions about populations of mice. They follow it up with a video to confirm or refute their...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Molecular Genetics of Color Mutations in Rock Pocket Mice
Can you identify mutations just by viewing DNA sequences? Scholars apply prior knowledge of DNA sequences to do just that in an engaging activity. They transcribe and translate genes, thus identifying the locations of mutations. Then,...
Curated OER
From Wolf to Dog
Learners explain how dogs evolved from wolves based on the video. In this biology lesson, students research about breeding animals for specific traits. They interview dog owners and create a presentation about the dog.
Curated OER
Why Don't Whales Have Legs?
Students are given a variety of materials and are asked to design a heat loss experiment that results in a reasonable explanation of "Why don't whales have legs?" students work with the theory of natural selection.
Curated OER
Biology: Natural Selection
Young scholars explore evolutionary processes and theories using the spotted fish applet. They observe what happens to fish in a closed environment with both food and predators. Students run the model several times and answer questions...
Curated OER
Bermuda: Search for Deep Water Caves 2009: Out of Darkness
High schoolers analyze the three models on the origin of troglobitic fauna. In this life science lesson, students also consider how the Zonation model explains the fauna's origin. They also use the Internet to research solutional and...
Curated OER
13 Ways to Tell Time Backwards
Students explore different ways geological time can be measured: comparing the time dimensions for each method, the mechanisms of each method, and the materials used.
Curated OER
Comparative Embryology Using Japanese Medaka Fish
Students conduct an experiment to control the breeding of Japanese Medaka fish. They collect the fertilized eggs and view and record the fish's embryological development daily to compare the stages to human development.
Curated OER
Natural Selection in Action
Students demonstrate natural selection through a lab activity. In this biology lesson, students explain how natural selection leads to speciation. They complete their lab report and discuss results in class.
Curated OER
Dichotomous Key 2
Students use a dichotomous key to identify unknown fictitious organisms in an assessment designed to be used after a discussion on the use of a dichotomous keys has occurred. Follow up questions about key included.
Curated OER
Exploring Learned and Innate Behavior
Compare and contrast learned and innate behaviors between humans and primates. Your biology class members read articles and participate in discussions about the use of tools and communication methods. That's about it, you'll probably...
Curated OER
The Debate Over Teaching Intelligent Design
Young scholars explain the current nationwide debate regarding the teaching of intelligent design alongside evolution in public schools. They examine the content of the debate and then analyze and critique the merits and flaws of both...
Curated OER
The Crusty Fossils
Learners identify some of the different species of crabs and tell how they adapt themselves to their environment. They discuss the evolution and stages of development of the crabs. They identify the Phylum Arthropoda and the Class...
Curated OER
Activity: Bird Beak Buffet
Students study the functions of bird beaks. In this animal evolution lesson, students compare and contrast different types of bird beaks focusing on how the beaks are adapted to the foods the birds eat. Students record and graph their...
Curated OER
Show Me a Flowerpot
Students compare and contrast handmade and machine-made products in a study about the evolution of production processes in American history. In this production history lesson, students explore a flowerpot in depth. Students make their...
Curated OER
Biome Trip
Tenth graders comprehed how individual organism adapt and relate to an environment. They investigate where biomes are located and what specific biomes are like. Pupils give examples of biomes (land and water), and how temperature and...
Curated OER
Nitrogen Fixation, OR What a Gas!
Students illustrate the adaptation and co-evolution of organisms. They examine set up an experiment to determine the effect of adding the Rhizobium bacteria to a group of legume seeds.
Curated OER
Electrophoretic Analysis: DNA Fingerprinting and Evolutionary Divergence
Students examine the principles of electrophoresis. They evaluate both the agarose and polyacrylamide system of molecular separation. In order to bring the concepts of genetics and evolution full circle from DNA to protein, students...
Curated OER
Globalization and the Standardization of Identity
Students analyze art of changing identities of cities and populations. In this art analysis instructional activity, students analyze the works of art that address constructions of identity in a consumer society. Students explore the role...
Curated OER
Archaeological Study
Students analyze the difference between archaeology and anthropology while studying the evolution of different products. In this archaeology and anthropology lesson, students trace the progression of a certain tool or product and come up...
Curated OER
Birds Learning Cycle Lesson Plan
Ninth graders explore the various adaptations of birds and compare differences and similarities of different birds.
Curated OER
Morphing
Pupils examine how organisms adapt to their environment in order to survive. As a class, they discuss the extinction of the dinosaurs and review Darwin's theory of survival of the fittest. They select an animal to morph in the future and...
Curated OER
Chair Reactions
Students examine the evolution of the plot in the novel holes by looking at cause and effect relationships. Using the provided worksheet, students
link events in the story and explain how they effected other events and relationships in...