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The Value of a Garden
High schoolers explore the history of taxonomy, the work of Carl Linnaeus, and the factors involved in the decline and extinction of a variety of botanical species.
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Science and Values: Using Science to Shape Our Future
Learners explore and discuss the link between values and science. They read several articles on such topics as global warming, cloning, genetically modified crops and animal testing and then identify the subjective aspect of science in...
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The Debate Over Stem Cell Research
Young scholars complete a variety of activities as they examine the ethical issues behind stem cell research and cloning. They make their own ethical decisions on both subjects.
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Galileo and the Inevitability of Ideas
Students research Galileo's work and contributions to science. They make a timeline of Galileo's life, discuss the historical context for his book "Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems" and examine his trial by the Inquisition for...
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The Race for the Double Helix
Students participate in an ethics-based simulation. In this ethics instructional activity, students role play research scientists working to decipher a code. Students work in small collaborative groups and must interact with other small...
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Kidney Pools: Are They Fair?
Learners examine the kidney donation process and make ethical decisions as various stakeholders in specific case studies. They decide which candidate should receive a kidney donation.
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Genetic Engineering
Students identify relationships between scientific concepts and their historical roots. They discuss and debate issues of ethics in science, specifically on the concept of genetic engineering and describe the processes of cloning and...
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Genetic Decision Making Model
Learners examine case studies involving bioethics. They write a paragraph explaining the problem. Students construct a list of values that are involved in the conflict. They list probable solutions to the problem and consequences to...
Polar Bears International
Taking Action!
Motivate young scientists to stand up and take action with this environmental science lesson. To begin, the class works in small groups brainstorming actions that support the conservation of the earth before creating and implementing an...
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Bioethics of Stem Cells
Students complete a variety of activities as they examine the ethics behind stem cell research and use.
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Bioethics
Students are introduced to the issues surrounding bioethics and begin to discover how some of these values can influence decision making. The exciting part of this lesson is the constructivist method used to engage students of all...
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Can Land Ethics Work?
Students evaluate the various purposes and issues surrounding the management of a nature preserve. They participate in discussion on whether there is intrinsic value in nature for its own sake.
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Ethics in the Science Classroom: Recycling
Students work in a group to create a skit of a scenario involving recycling. Student skits should encourage and convince the audience members to participate in recycling activities. Students provide written responses after the final...
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An Introduction to Fetel Tissue Transplantation
Students explore fetal tissue transplantation. They research basic factual information and justify their opinions. They write a paper discussing their position. Students consider the consequences and values associated with their...
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Invent PCR: You May Win a Nobel Prize
Students gain an appreciation for the simplicity, but also complexity and elegance of PCR. They comprehend all components of the protocol. Students explain exactly how CPR works, and why, after the third cycle, the predominant DNA being...
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Innocent or Guilty: A Lab on DNA Gel Electrophoresis
Students use the prelab as an introduction to the importance of DNA fingerprinting- a form of identification that us being accepted by both scientific and leagl experts. They prepare a gel for electrophoresis. DNA fragments, which have...
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Lesson 8, Recycling
Students examine recycling. In this environmental stewardship activity, students practice persuading others to recycle as they collaborate to prepare small group skits. Students discuss the issue and write reflections about the experience.
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Honesty In Reporting Research
Students view and discuss a video on dishonesty. Then they have a homework assignment to apply this discussion to household products that have resulted from scientific research which was falsified in order to get the product approved for...
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Science: Exploration Tubs
First graders develop skills of scientific inquiry. They determine which objects float and which sink.