Scientists work every day to find solutions to genetic diseases. Scholars learn about the process of gene sequencing, mutations, and the results. They explore genetic diseases and therapies to intervene and help and, through case...

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...

Genetic mutations occur throughout life, from conception to old age, and the timing influences the severity. Young scientists learn about four different mutation times and the diseases that sometimes occur as a result. They observe the...

Students are introduced to genetics along with genetic diseases and heredity. In groups, they complete a Punnett Square to determine the dominant and recessive genes. After viewing diagrams, they identify the characteristics of DNA and...

Students explore how testing for particular genetic variations can help people to make decisions in lifestyle and health care choices. They analyze a Web-based case study, participate in class discussion, view video segments and...

Students research simple and complex inheritance patterns, fetal development and the potential complications of teratogens, fetal and genetic testing, and the ethical, legal, and social implications of genetic counseling.

Genetically modified crops—How do you feel about them? Here, explore the benefits and risks of GM crops to inform your opinion. 

Students explore inheritance patterns of diseases. In this genetic lesson, students explain how recessive genes may cause human disorders. They identify and research five genetic disorders and present their findings to the class.

Does the human body evolve as quickly as human culture? With a stellar 15-minute video, explore the trait of lactose intolerance. Only about 1/3 of human adults seem to still have the enzyme lactase and therefore, the ability to digest...

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

Does having an addict in your family make it more likely to become one yourself? Explore the genetic risk factors, as well as the prominent environmental influences, for substance addiction in a lesson that encourages awareness and open...

Students chart the "cures" for people with disabilities. In this disabilities lesson, students compare and contrast the care and treatment of people with disabilities in the past and present. Students write accurate summaries presented...

What, exactly, causes lactose intolerance? Scholars view a video describing a Finnish study that determined why some people are tolerant while others are intolerant. They then use the data from the study to reenact the experiment and...

Focusing on prenatal health, this thorough resource provides discussion points about behaviors of the mother and of the father. It differentiates between controllable behaviors that help decrease problems with the developing fetus, and...

Students study sickle cell anemia and other genetic disorders.  In this investigative lesson students create a poster and present it to the class on a certain disorder. 

Students combine their knowledge of genetics, farming and nutrition to design a genetically engineered food. Students focus on how the food will be improved, how it differs from the original product, what types of modifications will be...

Students, in groups, prepare a family history for a family with a genetic condition. They simulate a genetic counseling session and listen to a guest lecture by a genetic counselor.

Twelfth graders explore controversy around genetically modified foods, identify source of controversy, and role play town hall meeting on genetically modified foods, to examine viewpoints and arguments for and against genetic modification.

Students investigate dominant and recessive traits by studying their schoolmates.  In this genetics lesson, students analyze specific traits of other children in school and create a database of information based on whom carries...

Students examine a case study of a woman with a family history of type 2 diabetes and create a "family health portrait" that assesses her risk of developing diabetes. They use the family health portrait to record the woman's family...

Young scholars identify and articulate pros and cons of genetically modified foods (GMF) including references to scale of controversy worldwide. Students then identify where they might find GMFs in their diets, read different opinion...

Your biology class plays the role of epidemiologist when a mysterious illness breaks out in Kildare, USA. Using interviews with doctors, patients, and local citizens, maps, the results from different materials sampling, they work to...

Many physicals include a blood glucose test, but what are doctors actually testing? Scholars graph and interpret blood glucose data, allowing them to observe the differences in lactase persistence and draw conclusions. They then connect...

Students inspect the factors involved in blood alcohol concentration. They observe a Web-based driving simulation and discover the physical and mental impairments caused by alcohol. They calculate the blood alcohol content in various...