Around half of the states in the US ban first cousin marriage, but does science support that ban? Scholars work through genetic analysis of the risks to understand if more states should ban the practice—or if some should remove it. They...

More than half the world's population eats rice as a daily staple ... imagine if that rice could prevent illness. Scientists genetically engineered rice to include vitamin A for just that purpose. However, room for debate still exists....

High schoolers explore the principles of incomplete dominance and codominance in genes. They apply genetic previously discussed genetic principles to determine solutions to inheritance problems including multiple alleles, incomplete...

Students learn that genetic differences exist in all of us. That diversity is what makes us unique as individuals. Phenotypes are the physical characteristics that we develop from our genotype (our genetic makeup). Both the environment...

Students investigate the genetic nature of skeletons while collecting data from an Internet site. They read a case study on the Internet and complete the associated activity.

Students explore the field of genetics. Through a graphing activity, students assess four common traits. They complete a Meiosis I and II charts which represent possible gametes for an individual. Students discuss phenotype and...

Seventh graders examine genetics combination using statistics. In this statistics lesson, 7th graders examine genetic trait using a table or punnett square to identify genotype and phenotype. This assignment requires more than one class...

Rafael Trujillo was president of the Dominican Republic in the 1930s. Pupils read and analyze the first six paragraphs of Julia Alvarez's autobiographical essay "A Genetics of Justice," in which the author describes Trujillo's impact on...

Life science learners measure and record traits of seeds, leaves, and their own hands and then graph the data to find a continous distribution curve. They compare and color diagrams of seven different animals' forelimbs (not included),...

In order to understand DNA fingerprinting, advanced biology aces divise a crime scenario and analyze three different samples of lambda DNA. This creative lesson plan provides practice with micropipettes, electrophoresis boxes, and other...

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, in groups, research, analyze and synthesize information on genetic diseases. After watching a video on genetics, groups perform research on a variety of genetic diseases and present their findings to the class.

Pupils explore how organisms adapt to their environments through changes in their genetic codes. They create make-believe creatures and environments that have specific characteristics.

Fourth graders explore genetic disorders, which can be caused by a malfunction in a particular chromosome and how these can cause genetic mutation.

Students explore the "genetic code." They observe how genes may be manipulated for genetic research, gene cloning, and genetic engineering. In a lab setting, students examine the mechanics involved in cutting and ligating DNAs into a...

Middle schoolers gather information about gene banks. In this biology lesson, students work in groups to complete an activity sheet about genetic databases and organism genomes. Lesson includes extension ideas.

Students demonstrate an ability to apply their knowledge of genetic engineering. They use decision making strategies to recommend a decision concerning the future use of genetic engineering in humans.

Students examine various topics on genetics. Students explore the Internet to gather information on genetic testing, genetically engineered food, forensics, DNA and cloning. They research and determine the best way to fund each of the...

High schoolers use this interactive tutorial program to directly observe a variety of inheritance patterns. They develop mastery over the variety of genetics problems presented. This simulation is designed to promote the acquisition of...

Students research the impacts of genetic research on homes, research laboratories, and hospitals. In this genetics lesson, students use the Internet to investigate the ways that genetics has affected our way of life. They present...

Students explore biotechnology. In this scenario-based lesson, students take a survey on what they know about genetic engineering, view a PowerPoint, and conduct a web quest. Students will then be placed in groups, and produce one of the...

Students examine the debate about using trees to clean up the environment by reading and discussing a news article. They research the various contexts for which scientists may want to genetically alter trees and assess the validity of...

Seventh graders discuss their own genetic traits. Using computers, they research the creation of Punnett Squares. They preform online experiments with peas, predicting the appearances of the offspring. They determine how genetic traits...

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.