This is mostly an exploration of race through an interactive website, class readings, and discussion. Individuals take an online quiz about race, they answer questions on a worksheet by visiting another website, and discover that race is...

Here is a brain-popper! Corn, or more appropriately, maize, was intentionally domesticated by humans around 9,000 years ago and over a period of hundreds to thousands of years! Genetics and botany researchers have collaborated to find...

Students investigate the concepts of genetics and how it is tied to the variations found within different species and how it is tied to adaptations. They review the theory of evolution and factors found to help create variation. The...

Young scholars experiment with genes and environment for a population of "Toothpick Fish."

Students explore biotechnology through various activities. In this biology instructional activity, students analyze its pros and cons. They study and read informative articles about biotechnology.

Students view a video on DNA. They discuss mitosis, meiosis and fertilization. They use strips of paper to simulate fertilization and analyze the genotype and phenotype of the combined chromosomes.

Seventh graders examine natural variation by visiting the Ohi'a Common Garden in Volcano, Hawaii. In this natural selection lesson plan, 7th graders study background information about phenotypes, genotypes, and phenotypic plasticity...

Fourth graders study sickle-cell anemia.

Students investigate the applications of DNA fingerprinting, They read crime scenarios and using the details of the crime and laboratory experimentation decide the suspects guilt or innocence.

Students create their own baby pets based on the genes of the two parents.

Pupils learn the difference between a genotype and a phenotype. They demonstrate that recombination of gametes (coins) will result in the formation of unique individuals.

Students explore how present biotechnology has evolved. They create a timeline is included referencing major scientists and major events in history which have led to our current understanding and use. A teacher time line is included.

Students study the least familiar aspect of development in Drosophila melanogaster; the development of the pupa. Students isolate and culture "First-day" pupae. They are dissected daily to study the progressive developmental changes.

Seventh graders investigate the concept of natural selection and its relationship to the theory of evolution. They conduct research using a variety of resources and use the information to create a class presentation and open up the...

Students determine which adaptations allow an organism to survive and reproduce in a certain environment. Students act as "predators" to pick up acetate discs "prey" scattered around the classroom. Students list the number found, the...

Students examine Morse code and how it is used.  In this secret codes lesson students decode messages, make their own codes and have other students crack the code.    

Students explore the basics of DNA and its history.  In this DNA instructional activity students extract DNA from fruits and understand how it is used in forensics.

Eighth graders become familiar with Punnett squares, specifically purpose, application and interpretation. Key terms from previous lessons (included below) are reviewed/reinforced before data is applied to a Punnett square and interpreted.

Students experiment with peapods to show the diversity of individual within a population. They examine dominant traits, recessive traits, genotypes, and phenotypes and show the process of making a Punnett Square.

Students use multicolored soft candies (gumdrops and candy orange slices) and toothpicks to create models of DNA structures. They discuss the fact that DNA must copy itself before splitting into two cells. Students demonstrate this by...

Students discover what Mendel uncovered in his famous pea experiments. They form explanations for the result of crossing a true-breeding round pea plant with a true-breeding wrinkled pea plant (the F1 generation) and for the results...

Students engage in a lab that focuses on animal behavior in an open ended inquiry based laboratory experience. They build an ethogram, display a transition matrix and analyze a Markov Chain. They remove wings from the drosophila and...

Students analyze ethics issues as they read science fiction works. In this science and ethics lesson, students read science fiction short stories of their choosing, investigate the ethics issues raised in the stories, and...

Students explore links on the Internet to collect facts about cloning then prepare an essay on their findings. In this research writing lesson students examine how to include their opinions on what they have found in their research.