Curated OER
Stem Cells and Cloning
High schoolers discuss an article on cloning and stem cells and complete an Internet cloning activity. For this genetic engineering lesson, students analyze stem cell issues by reading an article and participating in a class discussion....
Curated OER
Genome's Greatest Hits
Students explore the progression of discoveries that have led to the genetics knowledge that scientists currently have. In groups, students research scientists that have made important contributions to understanding the molecules behind...
Curated OER
Food of the Future
Young scholars combine their knowledge of genetics, farming and nutrition to design a genetically engineered food. Students focus on how the food will be improved, how it differs from the original product, what types of modifications...
Curated OER
Human Heredity
Students apply their knowledge of simple and complex inheritance of human traits to this activity, which prompts students to fill in the blanks and complete the chart. The worksheet refers to Chaper 15 of an unnamed textbook, but it...
Curated OER
Debating Controversial Issues: Integrating Science and Current Events
In order to give young scientists experience with critical thinking skills, introduce them to a current controversy and prepare them to debate. Choose a topic, such as genetically modified organisms, and assign groups to represent...
Curated OER
Introducing Ideas about Inheritance
Is it nature or nurture? In an easily adaptable kinesthetic activity to introduce genetics, learners group themselves based on a variety of categories. They will quickly find that some characteristics are easy to put in order, while...
Curated OER
Scientists Breed See-Through Frogs
Young scholars participate in a pre-reading activity, then read a news article about the breeding of transparent frogs. In this biology and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a question and a vocabulary...
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
Identical Twins, Identical Fates?
Can different personal experiences affect our genes? Find out in an intriguing case study about one twin who is diagnosed with mental illness and her identical twin who fears she may suffer the same fate. Designed for college-level...
Curated OER
Forensic Science - A Paternal Case
Ninth graders identify and relate terms in biotechnology. They discuss genetic engineering in the world today. Students are given a worksheet to determine the father in the paternal case. They complete answers on the worksheet.
Curated OER
Mendel Pea Plants
In this Mendelian genetics worksheet, students answer a variety of questions about Mendel's experiments and discoveries and they practice determining probability of outcomes in pea plants.
Curated OER
Mendel and Heredity
Young scholars identify the investigator whose studies formed the basis of modern genetics (Mendel). They list characteristics that make the garden pea a good study organism, and summarize the 3 major steps of Mendel¿¿¿s experiment.
Curated OER
Natural Selection and Evidence Worksheet
Matching and fill-in-the-blank exercises give biology whizzes a chance to practice vocabulary associated with evolution. Terms to be reviewed focus on evidence for evolution, natural selection concepts, and some genetics words. You could...
Curated OER
Genome: The Secret of How Life Works
What do you have in common with a fruit fly? About 60 percent of your DNA. The resource, divided into two units, is intended for grades four to eight and another for high schoolers. Both units include eight lessons covering the genome as...
Virginia Department of Education
Cell Division
Searching for simple ways to teach mitosis to high schoolers? Using colored chalk and onion root tips, pupils visually demonstrate what they view when looking through the lens of a microscope. There are also various ways to expand the...
American Society for Microbiology
”Build a Bacterium” Scavenger Hunt
An exciting activity has scholars use cell parts to build bacteria through cooperation with other groups. Each group has some of the cell parts needed, but they must trade with other groups to be able to fulfill their function as a...
Curated OER
Mendellian Genetics
Students describe the inheritance patterns other than simple dominance. They are taught how Mendel's principles apply to all organisms. Students review the use of Punnett Squares. They are taught the principles of probability and...
Curated OER
Punnett Squares
Students revie the Law of Independent Assortment and Law of Dominance. They practice Punnet squares and predicting genetic outcomes and identify factors that influence heredity.
Curated OER
Genes
Students discuss the difference between a gene, DNA, chromatid, and chromosome. They predict how changes in chromosome number or structure affect development. Students discuss what causes genetic disorders. They view a PowerPoint that...
Curated OER
DNA Recombination
Students describe the process of DNA Recombination and its uses. They are asked what genetic effect is associated with the exercise? Students discuss other opportunities of DNA recombination. They are given a worksheet, and students...
Curated OER
Current Topics in Biotechnology
Eleventh graders are introduced to the concept of biotechnology. Using the internet, they research the latest developments in this field and the tools used by biotechnologists. They share their information with the class and create a...
Curated OER
Background of Diseases-- Germs or Genes?
Students explore the background of common diseases. In this personal health lesson, students research causative agents of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Students use their research findings to create data tables in Microsoft...
Curated OER
Adaptation Worksheet
Adaptation or acclimation? Young ecologists determine which is being exemplified in twenty questions. When teaching about adaptations, make sure to talk about acclimation, a short-term learned response to a change in the surroundings....
Curated OER
Mendelian and Non-Mendelian Heredity
Tenth graders discuss their physical features, and why they look the way they do. They listen as the teacher discusses DNA, alleles, and dominant or recessive genes. Students perform an experiment with different colored markers...
Curated OER
DNA Extraction Lab
Students extract DNA and test for its presence from unroasted (raw) wheat germ using a prescribed procedure. They modify the procedure to provide a less expensive, easier method. They also extract DNA from different available plant,...