Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA Extraction Lab

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students extract DNA and test for its presence from unroasted (raw) wheat germ using a prescribed procedure. They modify the procedure to provide a less expensive, easier method. They also extract DNA from different available plant,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Can You Predict the Characteristics of an Unborn Baby?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students compare three sets of unlabeled human chromosomes and gather related data, trace chromosomes to pair them, and make observations about them.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sociobiology: Heredity Factors

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine DNA replication and how proteins are synthesized from DNA codes and continue to explore the effects of genetics in additional lessons. Among the topics covered are: protein synthesis, cell chemistry, environmental...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bacterial Transformation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss a bacterial experiment they previously performed and complete a pre-assessment. They participate in a lecture discussion given by the teacher through PowerPoint and then complete a cartoon worksheet and post-assessment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson on Proteins

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine the importance of proteins including their function and structure.  In this protein lesson students play a game to help them better understand proteins.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Is It?/Who Done It?

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars conduct an experiment that allows them to assess individual differences in random DNA sequences and apply those differences when solving a forensic problem. After discussing the polymerase chain reaction and its use to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Blood Business

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Pupils identify the different kinds of blood. In this biology lesson, students investigate the antigens, agglutinins and Rh factor using their own blood. They use Punnett squares to predict blood type of offspring.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetics 5 Technology

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars, after studying extraction and gel electrophoresis, recombinant DNA, transgenic organisms, and reproductive cloning, summarize the main concepts in DNA technology. They analyze the applications of DNA: forensics, medicine,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Food For Thought

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine their school population about their health and exercise patterns. They brainstorm a list of factors that influence people to eat the way they do.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Challenge to Deliver Insulin

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Learners study the types of diabetes and why insulin is important.  In this diabetes lesson plan students build molecular models and create a healthy lifestyle plan. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using VNTR Analysis to Identify Guilt at a Crime Scene

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students collect DNA from cheek cells. They compare and contrast the processes of DNA replication and PCR. They discuss how this information can be used to determine guilt at crime scenes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Identification of Animals by Serum Electrophoresis

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners compare their unknown serum against a set of known serum standards and determine the animal source of their serum. They write a lab report to communicate their results.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

GMOs: Should We Grow Them?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the ethics of biotechnology and genetically modifying various organisms. They complete various activities and labs on GMOs and then write a position paper regarding their individual opinions on the subject.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Spool Of Thread

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars describe a spool of light colored thread that the teacher holds in his/her hands. They are asked what substances (cotton and wood) are present and what structures (thread and spool) are present. The teacher conclude that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gene Regulation Mechanisms

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students explore genetics. They discuss how chromosomes and/or genes are regulated during the life of an organism. In a lab setting, students compare and contrast the genomic regulation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

X or Y- Does it Make a Difference?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the X and Y chromosomes. In this research lesson, students use the 5E lesson model as they read articles about human chromosomes then discuss their findings and opinions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

SAY IT WITH DNA: Protein Synthesis Tutorial

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore protein synthesis. In this DNA lesson students complete a worksheet and a DNA lab activity. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students become familiar with coal as an energy source and how it is mined.  In this coal lesson, students research the effects of coal mining on the environment. Students discuss the various problems associated with coal mining....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chromosome Fusion

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students see how patterns can reveal events of the past, thereby merging elements of both experimental and historical science.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From Genomes of Species

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate genomic research being done and its potential for understanding, treating, and possibly curing human genetic conditions. The potential of proteomic research as a companion to the work being done with genomics...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Infectious Disease Case Study

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students list the steps an epidemiologist takes to detect a pathogen. They role-play as scientists as they investigate the cause of the outbreak in Japan during 1996.
Lesson Plan
University of Washington

Genome Sciences Education Outreach: Sickle Cell Anemia [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students will use a Sickle Cell Anemia case study to learn about allele frequencies, genetics, and molecular biology.
Lesson Plan
Bryn Mawr College

Serendip: From Gene to Protein Transcription and Translation

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Brief text summary of what students learn in the Dragon Genetics II lab along with links to download Student Handouts in PDF and Word formats, and Teacher Preparation Notes in PDF format. Students use paper models to learn transcription...