How did scientists determine the cause of illness before technology? Science scholars play the role of medical researcher in an engaging guided inquiry activity. Using observations, technical reading, and Punnett squares, learners...

Although the instructions include reading from a specific textbook, the tasks are appropriate for any unit dealing with how genotype frequency changes over time. Junior biologists define five vocabulary terms and then answer five...

A mystery canine was shot and killed near Yellowstone National Park in the early '90s. Genetics whizzes explain how they might go about identifying whether the animal was a true grey wolf or a hybrid. A drawing of the animal's DNA bands...

Let's get a closer look at DNA and other molecular structures. The first lesson in the series of four introduces a variety of imagining techniques that engineers and scientists use to visualize molecular structures. The resource presents...

Show your class why restrictions aren't always a bad thing. In the third segment of a four-part series, the instructor develops the idea of restriction enzymes. Pupils learn how scientists use restriction enzymes in DNA analysis and DNA...

Use food coloring in electrophoresis. The last segment in a four-part series mimics DNA fingerprinting by using chromatography. Teams conduct chromatography on food coloring to find colors that use similar pigmentation in their makeup.

Students develop a flow chart using computer software to show a food chain combination.  In this food chain lesson, students are first read The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry, then they create a story map of the story.  Next,...

Police find a man murdered in a local hotel, DNA everywhere, and now they need scholars' help. Budding detectives step into a crime scene playing the roles of victim, suspects, and investigators. They apply knowledge of criminology and...

Students define the key terms that are the structure and function of DNA. In this genetics lesson students complete a lab activity in which they construct a model DNA structure.

Students put sources into correct Modern Language Association (MLA)bibliographic format, and evaluate accuracy of information and research value of two articles through short written annotated bibliography for each.

Bacteria outnumber all other forms of life on Earth. Scholars observe the growth of bacteria in petri dishes to understand their role in maintaining good health. Then, they observe the growth of bacteria after they introduce...

For years, scientists believed tRNA was junk left over from larger RNA. Three scientists used different approaches to prove tRNA actually exists as the connection between DNA and protein. Learn about their experiments, their lives, and...

Find similarities in seemingly unlike organisms. The second instructional activity in a series of 12 builds the concept of a taxonomy and explores the use of a dichotomous key. Learners begin in part one by attempting to group a set of...

Students examine the importance of proteins including their function and structure.  In this protein lesson plan students play a game to help them better understand proteins.

Young scholars synthesize information gathered from the web on reading the DNA code. In this upper-level biology lesson, students use an online resource to gain information about DNA codes and then create posters on what they have...

Students examine reasons for deforestation and become familiar with Madagascar and its culture, while describing biological and abiotic components of a rainforest, and looking at aspects that must be addressed to resolve the issue of...

In this DNA worksheet, high schoolers access a website to read about the scientists who make significant contributions to the DNA puzzle. Students complete 7 short answer questions based on the reading. Then high schoolers complete 3...

Students evaluate the importance of hormones in living things. In this biology activity, students experiment on carrots to differentiate how humans and plants reproduce. They collect data from experiment to answer analysis questions.

Students examine the roles in which animals play in the pollination of plants. They recognize that flowers have male and female sexes. Students describe cross pollination and propose reasons for cross pollination through narration of a...

This site from the University of Arizona runs a two-step simulation of Genetic Drift. There are teacher's notes included. A great site to aid in understanding Genetic Drift.

A collection of articles on evolutionary genetics focusing on the topics of phylogenetics, mutation and molecular population genetics, the genetics of speciation, genome evolution, and evolution and development. Learn how to read a...

Explains what genetic drift, gene flow, and natural selection are, and compares their differences, two at a time.

Discusses how sexual reproduction leads to genetic variation. [Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.]

This site from Palomar college explains what gene flow is and describes a situation where this occurs in humans. Information is brief but factual.