Students investigate variation in the beta globin gene by identifying base changes that do and do not alter function, and by using several Internet-based resources to consider the significance in different environments of the base...

Tenth graders research the history and discovery of DNA. Using their text, they label a basic DNA structure and the composition of genes. They explain how RNA and DNA differ from one other and discuss the processes of transcription and...

Students view pictures of distant "cousins" to humans. They place them in order by their distance from humans. Students receive a packet of six pages featuring graphics and a cousins summary page. They work in groups to complete 5 cousin...

Tenth graders work on a project about cellular biology and genetics. In this biology lesson plan, 10th graders research about the assigned human body system and genetic disorders that affect it. They create a multimedia presentation and...

High schoolers act as forensic scientists to help solve a long-standing missing persons case. They study nuclear DNA and mtDNA.

Students observe, measure and record variations that may be due to genetic inheritance. They look at the length of seeds for germinating pinto and lima beans and measure the distance between eyes in humans. They graph and discuss the...

Students read about how scientists are arriving at current theories of human origin and migration through mitochondrial DNA analysis. They then piece together a map showing the data from mitochondrial DNA analysis to plot the migration...

Students review the inheritance patterns of simple dominant and recessive traits in humans. They use PTC tasting as a model trait. Each student determines whether or not they are a taster using PTC paper then they compile and discuss the...

Students idenitfy that cancer is a growth of mutated cells and that cancer cells are only one type of cell that causes disease in our body. They also identify that all eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus, cytoskeleton, and a cell...

Learners identify inherited traits. In this heredity lesson, students watch a video and construct a genetic description of themselves.

In this socializing the individual worksheet, high schoolers respond to 6 multiple choice questions and 14 fill in the blank questions pertaining to how one learns to live within their culture.

Students construct their own diorama based on the life of a dinosaur. In this dinosaur lesson, students create models of dinosaurs and dinosaurs' eggs to explore the life cycle of this extinct species.

Young scholars identify feelings and explore positive ways to handle conflict.  In this mental health instructional activity students discuss feelings and how to constructively handle them.

Young scholars describe some aspects of known genetic defects on the human neurological condition. They participate in a variety of exercises including drawings, games, and analogies.

Eighth graders investigate animal behavior by studying the lives of three female behavior scientists.  In this human organism instructional activity students do different activities that inquire and approach each females work. 

Students explore the concept of extinction by studying dinosaurs. In this dinosaur instructional activity, students distinguish between extinct creatures and those that still exist.

A short reading is accompanied by a quiz in a resource describing the differences between identical and fraternal twins. The quiz is mostly true/false and would make an excellent anticipatory set to get kids thinking about what they know...

Young scholars study meiosis and how it leads to variation. In this genetic reproduction lesson students complete a lab activity that calculates different genetic possibilities.

Learners use the exercise as a prelude to a "wet" lab or as a substitute for such a lab. It correlates well with colony transformation labs. This lab is recommended for students what have difficulty with the abstractions that genetic...

Students explore chromosome karyotyping. In this chromosome karyotyping lesson plan, students use a chromosome kit to explore chromosome syndromes and disorders. They also produce a large model of a cell with chromosome to simulate cell...

Students explore why people get cancer. They explore human cells by taking a close examine their own. take a small sample of the epithelial cells that line the inside of their mouth. They glimpse how scientists investigate inside cells.

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...

This lesson plan will help students examine their preconceptions and assumptions about racial categories and understand the impossibility of constructing a consistent system of human racial classification.

Students use DNA to solve an identity mystery. In this biology lesson, students use the Internet to gather information about sex-linked disorders and complete a Punnett square for hemophilia, then examine a handwriting analysis, ear...