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Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Biodiversity and Evolutionary Trees

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Compare what shells look like on the outside with what makes that happen on the inside. Scholars begin by sorting an various seashells by their physical characteristics into phylogenetic trees. They then conduct a DNA comparison of...
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Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Classroom Activities: Pedigree Analysis Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Trace a genetic trait through an entire pedigree. A class activity provides pupils with an opportunity to explore a pedigree tree displaying a specific trait. They draw conclusions from the display and provide recommendations based on...
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Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Using Genetic Crosses to Analyze a Stickleback Trait

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Two fish appear different, but how do scientists determine their genotypes? Scholars practice performing test crosses to determine the genotypes of fish given their phenotypes. They answer in-depth comprehension questions and complete...
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Lesson Plan
Serendip

DNA

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Get up close and personal with DNA! A two-part hands-on activity has learners extract DNA from a small organism and then their own cheek cells. Scholars then explore DNA replication using questions to guide their analyses.
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Unit Plan
Kenan Fellows

Unit 3: Genetic Variation

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What happens when genes change? Junior genetic investigators examine the effects of mutation in the third unit of a four-part Biotechnology series. Individuals discover the types of mutations through a series of PowerPoints, then partner...
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Lesson Plan
Kenan Fellows

A Farmer’s Challenge to Breed to the Greatest of Grapes

For Teachers 7th Standards
What does your class know about GMOs? Are they savvy to selective breeding? Challenge young minds to engineer the greatest crop of all time using a hands-on genetics unit. Learners discover the good and bad details of selective breeding,...
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Interactive
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Visualizing Gene-Expression Patterns

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
How do genetics gurus know so much about gene expression? See traits materialize before your very eyes using a presentation with embedded simulations. Science scholars develop an understanding of the techniques used to follow the work of...
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Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Developing an Explanation for Mouse Fur Color

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Whether or not you think mice are nice, you'll love the colorful activity! Scholars examine evidence for evolution in the rock pocket mouse through video, discussion, and collaborative work. Learners watch a video regarding variation in...
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Lesson Plan
American Psychological Association

Using Psychological Perspectives to Answer Questions on Behavior

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Perspective is everything when it comes to assessing human behavior. Class members examine a series of statements and identify the perspective represented by each to demonstrate their understanding of different psychological perspectives.
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Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Stalking the Genetic Basis of a Trait

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Need an a-maize-ing lesson to show your class how regulatory genes work? If you use the well-written resource, they'll be all ears! Biology scholars discover the gene responsible for the evolution of the modern-day corn plant through a...
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Unit Plan
Anthropological Association

Race: Teacher Guide: Race

For Teachers 6th - 8th
How has the concept of race changed over time? Explore the genetic, cultural, and social aspects of race through a series of impactful activities. Scholars discover how race is influenced by inherited traits, examine census records to...
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Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Understanding Variation

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed Standards
Does where we live influence how our bodies express genetic traits? Explore variation in human skin color with an activity that incorporate video and hands-on learning. Individuals model the relationship between phenotypes and genotypes,...
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Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Patterns in the Distribution of Lactase Persistence

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
We all drink milk as babies, so why can't we all drink it as adults? Examine the trend in lactase production on the world-wide scale as science scholars analyze and interpret data. Groups create pie charts from the data, place them on a...
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Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Tracking Genetically Modified Mosquitoes

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What's that buzzing in your ear? An insightful lesson about genetically modified mosquitoes! Partnered pupils explore the creation, release, and monitoring of mosquitoes designed to reduce the mosquito population. After watching a video,...
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Lesson Plan
Science 4 Inquiry

Monster Mash-Up of Genetics

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
It's alive! Young mad scientists create monsters as they explore the probabilities of genetic traits during a well-structured inquiry lesson. Pairs travel from station to station, rolling the dice and adding traits to their creations as...
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Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Modern Genetics

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
Genetic counselors advise their clients on the chance of passing specific diseases on to their children. Pupils learn about genotypes, phenotypes, and genetics in the lesson. Matching activities, multiple-choice questions, and a...
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Unit Plan
US National Library of Medicine

Genetic Traits in Harry Potter

For Students 7th - 11th
Explore human genetics through the world of Harry Potter. A thorough lesson develops the introductory concepts of genetics using characters of the popular book series. Learners study topics from DNA and chromosomes to Punnett Squares and...
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Lesson Plan
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Teach Engineering

Don't Be a Square

For Teachers 9th - 11th Standards
If Parseltongue is a genetic trait, what is the probability a wizard will inherit the ability to speak Parseltongue? Scholars investigate magical and biological genetics with Punnett squares.
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Unit Plan
Columbus City Schools

Heredity: Traits, Genes, Alleles

For Students 8th Standards
If you knew people would pay extra for a bald dragon, could you pick which parents you should breed in order to get the highest number? The unit examines heredity and genetics through breeding dragons, mice, dogs, and tries to figure...
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Lesson Plan
MENSA Education & Research Foundation

Peas in a Pod: Genetics

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Can peas have grandparents? Learn about inherited traits and heredity with a set of activities focused on Mendelian genetics. As your class learns about the process of passing traits along in Punnett squares, they take on the role of...
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Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Passing Traits to Offspring

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What makes each one of us unique? Lead your class in this exciting and educational activity as you uncover traits that show how each individual is different from another. Pupils explore facts about DNA technology and predict the...
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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...
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Lesson Plan
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University of Colorado

Punnett Squares with Piebald Deer

For Teachers 5th - 10th Standards
Explore the science behind Earth's amazing diversity of life with this instructional activity on genetics. Looking at specific traits in piebald deer, carnations, and roan cattle, young scientists use Punnett squares to determine the...
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Lab Resource
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US National Library of Medicine

Monster Genetics Lab

For Students 6th - 10th Standards
Harness young scientists' knowledge of genetics with an engaging science activity. Students start by flipping a coin to determine the genotypes and phenotypes of two parent monsters, before using Punnett squares to determine the...