Young scholars study traits of organisms including genetics and inheritance. In this genetic traits lesson, students complete a shared reading and discuss the 6 traits of uniqueness. Young scholars sort themselves by specific traits and...

Learners discover the uniqueness of deep sea hydrothermal vent organisms through an exploration of the NOAA Galapagos Rift Expedition. They study the genetics and evolution of a shrimp species that lives near the vents then they...

Students work as a class to first construct a pedigree of a popular singer, showcasing the singing gene being passed down through the generations. Students then make their own family pedigree and follow two traits through their family...

Got milk? Only two cultures have had it long enough to develop the tolerance of lactose as an adult. Learn how the responsible genes evolved along with the cultures that have been consuming milk. This rich film is supplied with a few...

Students explore human behavior by participating in a class science game. In this human characteristics instructional activity, students identify different human traits that are passed down by each generation and the purpose each of them...

Learners predict possible phenotypic and genotypic outcomes for avariety of common plant hybrids. They review and explain the characteristics of dominant and recessive traits and explore Mendelian genetics. Students plot the possible...

Students conduct a simple experiment to determine if a trait has been passed from a family member to them.

Students study the number of chromosomes in the body cells, sperm cells, and egg cells of humans. They define allele, and examine the difference between dominant and recessive alleles. They complete an activity with jelly beans that...

Eighth graders explore how different organisms pass their traits to their offspring. In this life science activity, 8th graders differentiate recessive and dominant alleles. They predict the phenotype based on the genotype of an organism.

Students explore some of the ethical questions raised by genetic testing. They answer the question of whom, if anyone, has rights to knowledge of each person's genetic make-up.

Students gather information about DNA. In this biology lesson, students watch video clips of scientists discussing their contribution to the understanding of DNA, then work a puzzle correlating information to scientist. Lesson includes...

Students predict traits of future offspring. In this biology lesson, students study karyotyping to predict genetic disorders. They research an assigned karyotype and present information about it.

Students create a fictional organism. In this biology lesson plan, students predict the traits of resulting offspring. They complete activity worksheet and discuss answers in class.

Students identify inherited traits. In this genetics lesson, students participate in a discussion about traits and use a checklist to identify inherited traits. Students complete a hand-out.

Students build chromosome models using popsicle sticks. In this biology activity, students simulate the Law of Independent Assortment. They use Punnett squares to predict the resulting genotype and phenotype.

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...

Seventh graders explore the connection between genetics and heredity by examining the cellular structure. Among the numerous activities to engage students are drawing DNA molecules, vocabulary puzzle sheets, and predicting possible...

Students use the Internet to gather information about genetics, then research a genetic disorder. In this biology lesson, students listen to an interview with a geneticist, watch an animation of "chromosome coiling", then research and...

Learners explore the genetic engineering of food.  In this health lesson students explain how DNA technology can be used to produce food. 

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...

Students describe and apply the Mendellian principles of genetics, focusing predominantly on dominant and recessive genes. They demonstrate how two parents contribute genes and how those genes appear in their offspring. They describe...

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 discuss traits, traits that are inherited and how genes and chromosomes carry the code for traits. They research genetic disorders and their link to chromosome abnormalites and write a report on their findings. which...

Students explore their genetic background. They assemble their own pedigrees using star patterns for each family member and identifying various dominant traits. Predictions are made for future offspring.