Students extract their own DNA from cheek cells. In this biology instructional activity, students explain the replication process. They identify the structure and composition of DNA.

Students compare the amino acid sequences in cytochrome-c for a variety of organisms and use this information to infer evolutionary relationships. Students investigate the role of homeobox genes and what this indicates about the...

Students conduct a class survey of a variety of human traits and construct histograms of the collected data. They explore how they are alike and different and play a game that introduces the concept of each individual's uniqueness.

Students explore neurological disorders. They examine the presence and absence of discernible genes. Students describe neruological diseases and draw faces of affected persons. They play a human neurology disorders learning game.

Students create a paper model of a plasmid and insert a DNA molecule that contains a specific gene into the plasmid. They complete an actual transformation involving E. coli bacterium and relate the two activities to one another.

Learners explain that in sexually reproducing organisms, such as humans, typically half of the genes come from each parent. They examine a fictional pedigree and determine which gene is responsible for a given trait.

Young scholars study DeoxyriboNucleic Acid or commonly known as DNA and discover importance of DNA strand, chromosomes, and genes.

Students use this exercise to help achieve a working knowledge of the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium without recourse to algebra. After participating in this activity, students gain a feeling for the significance of the Hardy-Weinberg...

Young scholars, in groups, complete a worksheet on DNA transcription and translation. They determine codons for particular amino acids. They attempt to introduce mutations to determine what will happen to the DNA sequence.

Sixth graders investigate how traits are passed from parents to their offspring. They list things they have in common with family members, read key vocabulary terms, create a poster of shared physical and personality traits, and watch...

Fifth graders examine how traits are passed to their offspring using Punnett Squares. They demonstrate how a Punnett Square works by physically moving around boxes taped on the floor, representing the different traits of chicks and...

Young scholars brainstorm a list of improvements they might make to a picture of a skinny cow to improve its milk yield. They draw ideas on the board and compare these pictures with the original and ask the students which cow they would...

Learners explore how this module focuses on part of the cycle of alternation of generations: meiosis to produce haploid spores and fertilization to produce a diploid zygote which grows into the adult plant.

Eighth graders study how an embryo develops into a fetus by undergoing many physical changes which they observe on a poster. They examine the metamorphosis of fruit flies as they develop through a series of changes. They record the...

Students read a book about a frog and the stages of its life. They read the description cards given and work in groups to study all of the wells of the frog life cycle. Finally, students identify and interpret various slides and...

High schoolers perform an experiment to extract and observe DNA from plant Tissue. They read about the procedure and relate it to the procedure used to isolate DNA from an endangered plant species. This is lesson three in a nine lesson...

Students extract the DNA from a strawberry. In this DNA technology lesson, students describe what they think DNA looks like. They use a procedure to isolate and extract the DNA from a strawberry.

Students study scientific investigations.  In this scientific method lesson students participate in a class discussion and watch a video. 

Fifth graders observe heredity. In this Science lesson, 5th graders are introduced to the concept of traits being passed from parents to offspring. Students investigate the concepts through apples and onions.

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...

Culminate a bioethics unit with the implementation of a lesson that incorporates the Socratic method to encourage class feedback and participation. Pupils participate in a discussion on bioethics and morality, complete a...

Find out the science behind ancestry testing! Investigators watch a video exploring how ancestry works before participating in a hands-on group activity. Scholars role play scientists while learning about testing protocols and test...

Everything is in the genes. Individuals observe 14 different traits of themselves. Using pipe cleaners and beads, the learners create models of a chromosome representing their traits. The class then compares and contrasts everyone's...

Looking for a quick, hands-on activity to teach young scientists about Punnett squares through monohybrid crosses? then check out this one.