Instructional Video

Immortal Cells Turn 96

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

Happy Birthday, Henrietta Lacks! Celebrate August 1, the birthday of one of the most important women in genetics in part 139 of a 143-part video series. The narrator describes the life of Henrietta Lacks, the aggressive form of cancer that took her life at age 31, and the wide array of genetic discoveries made possible by the HeLa cell.

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CCSS: Adaptable
Additional Tags
Instructional Ideas
  • Show the video to introduce Lacks, then launch a class reading project of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
  • Have pupils research the amazing contributions to science and medicine made possible by the HeLa cell
Classroom Considerations
  • Some background information on cancer cell growth is helpful for pupils in an introductory biology class
  • This video is hosted on YouTube
Pros
  • Provides a well-rounded snapshot of Lacks' life and the importance of her cells in research
  • Images of the cells themselves give students an idea of their size, shape, and reproductive capabilities
Cons
  • None
Common Core