Students develop an understanding of the role both nature and nurture play in determining an individual's traits. Using a website, students answer questions about nature and nurture in order to solve the riddle, What do you call a smart...

Students investigate the principles of probability that can be used to predict hereditary traits.

Learners review terms related to DNA structure and function. They complete a variety of worksheets in small groups or in pairs reflecting the unit's concepts regarding DNA. They submit their worksheets for grading.

In this Soviet Union worksheet, students read a 2-page selection about scientific work in the country and then respond to 4 short answer questions based on the selection.

Learners research his/her family medical history and produce a pedigree with information.

Eighth graders use a large Punnett Square and infer how genes determine blood types.  In this blood type lesson students predict blood types and demonstrate how Punnett Squares are related to genes and chromosomes. 

Eighth graders interpret the genotypes and phenotypes, then pair up chromosomes.

Seventh graders listen as the teacher explains the differences between dominant and recessive traits. The data sheet is described and delivered to students. Students collect data about themselves and record it on their sheet. For the...

Fourth graders investigate the concept of using punnett squares in the determination of the offspring.They collect drawings and pictures and create a collection for student science journals.

In this socializing the individual worksheet, high schoolers respond to 6 multiple choice questions and 14 fill in the blank questions pertaining to how one learns to live within their culture.

Students explore natural selection. They explore the concepts of adaptations, and the way which random factors affect the survival of individuals and populations.

Eighth graders investigate the concept of nature versus nurture in human development through this series of lessons.

Learners investigate Social Darwinism. In this government systems lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture on the details of Social Darwinism and American laissez-faire capitalism. Learners respond to discussion...

Learners evaluate "humanity" and conditions associated with it.  In this activity lesson students take on issues and construct their own limitations by defining the "human" condition. 

In this psychology worksheet, students complete 5 short answer questions about traits, mutations and the theory of natural selection.

Students analyze gels to determine parentage in this lesson about scientific evidence, investigation, and DNA concepts. The lesson includes a pre-activity worksheet, a final individual assessment, and student handouts for in-class...

Fifth graders explore heredity and observable traits through experimentation. They view several different types of corn and record their observation of physical traits on a class chart. They create a corn necklace by sprouting dried...

Students idenitfy that cancer is a growth of mutated cells and that cancer cells are only one type of cell that causes disease in our body. They also identify that all eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus, cytoskeleton, and a cell...

Eighth graders investigate animal behavior by studying the lives of three female behavior scientists.  In this human organism lesson students do different activities that inquire and approach each females work. 

Learners examine the population of aphids. They identify adaptations they have made for their environment. They make predictions, test their hypothesis and collect information that either proves or disproves their theory.

This interactive activity, adapted from the Dolan DNA Learning Center, uses Punnett squares to illustrate Mendel's laws of inheritance and how a particular gene combination results in a 3-to-1 ratio of dominant-to-recessive traits.

Our genes are inherited from our parents, and the different combinations of these genes make us unique. Genetic inheritance controls the characteristics of all living things. This lesson focuses on the inheritance of biological sex in...

Human-Genetics: A Worldwide Search for the Dominant Trait allows you to collect data and share your results with students around the world. Register your class, complete the student survey, participate in discussion boards, and interact...

This lesson focuses on genetic inheritance including defining key terms such as chromosomes, alleles, DNA, genes, genome, and more. Links to a video and a test are provided.