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

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 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 use...

Students analyze Gregor Mendel's discovery of a process of biological evolution. They also explore how recessive and dominant traits are passed from one generation of living organisms to the next. This instructional activity involves...

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.

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...

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

How effective are cells at repairing UV damage? An inquiry-based instructional activity has learners experiment with organism by exposing them to various levels of UV light and then examining their DNA after a period of time. Pupils test...

Students assess some common inherited traits which are easily observable and note their phenotype for the trait. Students compare their phenotypes to those of their parents and attempt to describe the pattern and manor of inheritance.

Young scholars explore the field of genetics. They examine four basic traits. Students demonstrate their knowledge of phenotype and genotype by charting their personal traits. Young scholars compelte a Meiosis chart. From the chart...

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...

In this evolution worksheet, high schoolers review genetic variability, gene mutations, biodiversity and adaptations. This worksheet has 22 fill in the blank and 10 short answer questions.

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

Students complete a pre-test on the relationship between heredity and the environment. As a class, they write down descriptions of themselves and identify which traits can be changed and not changed. In groups, they determine which...

Students randomly select jelly beans that represent genes for several human traits such as tongue-rolling ability and eye color. Then, working in pairs (preferably of mixed gender), students randomly choose new pairs of jelly beans from...

High schoolers model traits on genes using colored paper and tongue depressors to represent chromosomes. In this heredity lesson plan, students use their "chromosome sticks" to understand chromosome pairs, genes, dominant traits,...

Students examine their concepts of "beautiful" and "ugly" and the social influence on this perception. They look more closely at the role genetics plays on determining the way a person looks. Students explore ways to enhance their own...

Students explore the notion of local evolution, or genetic selectivity among different continent-based human populations. They consider specific examples of local evolution, such as lactose tolerance, skin color, and cognitive capacity,...

Students study the basic processes by which cells divide and transfer their genetic information. They recognize and distinguish possible inherited traits and through the discovery method of the facts and principles of inheritance....

It's time to change up your evolution lesson plan! What better way than with an impactful game that immerses learners in a tiny bacterial world where they influence the characteristics of generations to come. An innovative activity from...

Students create a family pedigree as a product of independent investigation. They learn the symbols used in pedigrees, as well as the usefulness in tracking genetic disorders. During cooperative learning activities, students learn to...

Students explore genes and inheritance. After listening to a story describing a rare genetic disease, students discuss inheritance and how living things pass on traits to their children. In groups students, students decipher code...

Students explore evolutionary processes and theories using the spotted fish applet. They observe what happens to fish in a closed environment with both food and predators. Students run the model several times and answer questions about...

Students determine their inherited characteristics from their parents. In this biology lesson, students study the life of Mendel using an interactive website. They differentiate dominant and recessive characteristics.