Curated OER
Stem Cells and Cloning
High schoolers discuss an article on cloning and stem cells and complete an Internet cloning activity. For this genetic engineering lesson, students analyze stem cell issues by reading an article and participating in a class discussion....
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Microarrays and Stem Cells
Background reading is available in the first two pages of this worksheet, along with reading comprehension questions and a laboratory activity in which students use mircroarray technology to identify genes used in cell differentiation....
Curated OER
Designing Babies
Students analyze current and emerging techniques used to select specific characteristics in offspring. They examine specific case studies and make ethical decisions based upon the Ethical Decision-Making Model.
Curated OER
Dealing with DNA Controversy
Pupils research controversial statements about biological applications and write a persuasive essay. In this biology lesson plan, students are assigned a controversial statement as a research topic, then they use this topic to create a...
Curated OER
Enhancing Students' Problem-Solving Abilities
Students analyze the results of a hypothetical cloning experiment using a restriction endonuclease map obtained from an on-line data source. They answer the question, "How can I tell if the DNA I have obtained from this hypothetical...
Curated OER
Lesson 9: Visual Meiosis
Students create a fictional organism. In this biology lesson, students predict the traits of resulting offspring. They complete activity worksheet and discuss answers in class.
Curated OER
Biotechnology
The metaphors used here to describe the "cut and paste" procedures for genetic engineering will really help your biologists in their understanding of restriction enzymes and DNA. The uses of genes that are isolated and incorporated into...
Curated OER
M&M Science and Math
A series of math and science activities feature M&M's® as manipulatives to help kids work through equations. The resource includes exercises on finding averages, percent of compositions, moles in chemical reactions, genotypes and...
Learning Games Lab
Testing and Adjusting pH
Pupils learn how to control food spoilage by adjusting the food's pH. They see that one of the most dangerous bacteria can grow in food if people don't handle and store food properly. Using knowledge of the bacteria's preferred pH,...
Curated OER
Genetic Ethics Debate
Students select topics relating to bioethical questions which they research and debate. They, in groups, select topics and are given two to three weeks to research their topics, taking advantage of their school libraries and local public...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Bacterial Quorum Sensing
The marine bacteria vibrio harveyi helps with DNA repair in humans. Understanding how to manipulate and genetically mutate this bacteria fascinates researchers. Young scientists observe two different mutations, predict the resulting...
Curated OER
Biotechnology
Students explore biotechnology through various activities. In this biology lesson, students analyze its pros and cons. They study and read informative articles about biotechnology.
Curated OER
Evolution of Biotechnology Timeline
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.
Curated OER
Edible DNA
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...
Curated OER
The Life Cycle of a Frog
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...
Curated OER
Trichinella Forensics
Young scholars engage in DNA manipulation using forensics techniques. Students investigate topics involved in forensics studies such as cloning, electrophoresis, gene mapping, replication, and transcription.
Curated OER
Modeling Mitosis and Meiosis
Students construct and manipulate models of mitosis and meiosis and compare/contrast them. They create the models using index cards and yarn, interpret diagrams and photographs, and summarize written descriptions.
Curated OER
Gel Electrophoresis: Sort and See the DNA
Students construct DNA fingerprints. In this genetics lesson, students watch an on-line gel electrophoresis animation, then they work in groups to use a restriction map to create a restriction enzyme and use that to arrange a DNA...
Learning Games Lab
Scientific Graph Reading
Interpreting graphs is an essential skill for young scientists. An interactive online lesson gives individuals an opportunity to review the components of a graph and learn to read and interpret the shape of a graph. The lesson includes...
Curated OER
From Caterpillar to Butterfly
Students read and discuss the book about the butterfly and create their own butterflies using liquid watercolors and pipe cleaners. They then create a butterfly development book, included in the lesson, and color the pictures using...
Curated OER
Life Cycle of the Drosophila Fly
High schoolers observe the life cycle of the Drosophila fly as well as manipulate large numbers of flies, determine the difference between the sexes, and identify the different stages of the fly's life cycle.
Curated OER
Teaching Biotechnology by Analogies and Models
Young scholars examine analogies and create models to help visualize the concept and technique of basic biotechnology. Common scenarios are used to explain the complex procedures of genetic engineering.
Curated OER
DNA on Stick
Students experience a "hands-on" activity to get visual evidence of the physical nature of DNA and the process of DNA purification. They explore one method of chromosomal DNA isolation and DNA extraction.
Curated OER
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Students explore how PCR works through various activities. In this biology lesson, students explain how PCR generate copies of DNA. They simulate the process using an online interactive website.