Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Genome: Controversy for All Times

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine the genome and discuss the ethical and moral issues surrounding it. In groups, they discover the differences between ethics and morals and discuss where the concepts of good and bad come from in society. After reading...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Inheritance Patterns in Zorks

For Students 9th - 12th
In this inheritance patterns worksheet, learners create a visual of a Zork using chromosome strips to represent alleles from the father and the mother to determine the traits in the offspring. Students translate the genotype to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who am I and Why?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students make comparisons about themselves and others, which are real and meaningful. They study some basic concepts in the area of genetics and do a complimentary series of experiments, or explorations that illustrate these concepts
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Clone of Your Own: The Legal Issues and the Future of Genetic Engineering on Humans

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders define cloning in their own words and examine the different types of cloning. After reading an article, they summarize it in their own words and use the internet to research the history of cloning. In groups, they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cracking the Genetic Code

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine an article, "Genome 'Treasure Trove'" and participate in a class discussion prior to researching further information in order to write their own feature article on the Human Genome Project.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genes and Inheritance

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students explore genes and inheritance. After listening to a story describing a rare genetic disease, students discuss inheritance and how living things pass on traits to their children. In groups students, students decipher code...
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Chemistry Connection

For Students 8th - 10th
In this proteins activity, students read about the chemical compound, protein. Students determine where proteins are found in the body and how enzymes help the body react. Then students complete 3 short answer questions.
Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Zebrafish and Skin Color

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
You may not know if that zebrafish in your fish tank is a model citizen—but it is definitely a model organism! What can we learn about ourselves from a tiny zebrafish? Discover more about the polygenic trait of skin color through a...
Interactive
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Some DNA Does Not Encode Protein

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Roy John Britten easily earned a PhD in nuclear physics—but he found painting with water colors too difficult. Young scientists learn about Britten's life, career, and research with an online interactive. They read a biography, view...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Owl Family Natural Selection

For Teachers 9th - 12th
How do genetic mutations within a population lead to future variations? Provide your class with the resources to answer this question and more upon completing an activity on natural selection. The entire class participates in a...
Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Lactose Intolerance: Fact or Fiction

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Around the world, about 2/3 of adult humans are lactose intolerant. Scholars work in small groups to discuss a few statements about lactose intolerance. Then, they watch a video on the topic and readdress each statement. Whole-class...
Printables
Texas State Energy Conservation Office

Global Climate Change

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Here is an extensive reading resource that addresses our climate change crisis. It thoroughly explains the greenhouse effect, related Earth cycles, and the history of climate change. Use it as part of the intended unit, published by the...
Lesson Plan
Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Section One: What is Biodiversity?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Four intriguing and scientific activities invite learners to explore the natural resources of their town. The activities cover concepts such as genetic traits, organizing species in a taxonomy, the differences between different species...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetic Screening In The Workplace: Case Study

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers participate in a small group discussion/role play of a specific case study concerning the use of genetic screening in the workplace.
Lesson Plan
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

The Molecular Evolution of Gene Birth and Death

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
An upper-level biology activity, the comprehensive worksheet found here accompanies a PowerPoint and the video The Making of the Fittest: The Birth and Death of Genes, both of which are linked to through the website. Depending on the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Are the Dinosaurs?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore the concept of extinction by studying dinosaurs. In this dinosaur lesson, students distinguish between extinct creatures and those that still exist.
PPT
Curated OER

Gene to Protein

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Mutation and auxotrophs are discussed. Next, the details of RNA transcription and how enzymes can control splicing and introns are given.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Circles 1, 2, 3, 4

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Here is a way to help your charges identify circles and spheres. In this shapes geometry and technology lesson plan, students identify and draw circles and explain the related attributes. They recognize circles and spheres while...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kernels of Wisdom: Investigating Natural Variations in Corn

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Here is a brain-popper! Corn, or more appropriately, maize, was intentionally domesticated by humans around 9,000 years ago and over a period of hundreds to thousands of years! Genetics and botany researchers have collaborated to find...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Variation in Human Skin Color

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore factors that control variation in human skin color and the implications of this information for human society. They understand that skin color is no longer considered a credible scientific standard by which to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evolution and Gene Frequencies: A Game of Survival and Reproductife Success

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students research the population of Bengal tigers and their existence as either dominant or recessive. They explore the presence of fur on these tigers and its lethal combinations. Determinating the effect of random mating in a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetics and Heredity: The Next Generation

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders work in teams to order events of DNA transcription and translation protein synthesis. In the second lesson, they put the steps of mitosis and meiosis in order using a concept map poster. They use modeling clay to create...
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Evolution of Living Things-Science Puzzlers, Twisters & Teasers

For Students 5th - 8th
In this evolution worksheet, students unscramble 9 vocabulary terms to solve a clue as well as complete 8 other riddles and word scrambles about evolution vocabulary.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genes

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore the history, inheritance and mutations of genetics.  For this genetic lesson students complete experiments on DNA sequences.