University of Washington
Pasta Genetics
Four different-shaped and dyed pasta types represent four different alleles. Following a guide sheet, young geneticists practice randomly selecting alleles and discover the traits of the resulting offspring. This is a fun and solid...
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
Genetics: Knowledge Quiz
In this genetics quiz worksheet, students complete a set of 10 multiple choice questions covering various concepts of genetics. A reference web site is given for additional resources.
Curated OER
GenEng
Students investigate the process of genetic engineering. For this genetic engineering lesson plan, students use paper models of DNA and plasmid bacterium to investigate the process of replicating DNA, splicing genes from DNA, and...
Curated OER
DNA Replication
After viewing this presentation, students create a complete set of notes to support their learning of DNA replication. Each slide has information on a step in DNA synthesis process. The slides focus primarily on the processes rather than...
Agriculture in the Classroom
Design 'Y'er Genes
How do changes in DNA affect an organism? Scholars explore chromosomes, genes, DNA, and mutations by modeling the DNA of a strawberry. They build a DNA model, then manipulate it to show how changing the genes transforms the strawberry...
BBSRC
Discovering DNA: The Recipe for Life
A pinch of adenine, a dash of thymine and ta-da, you have life! Well, it's not quite that simple, but through this series of activities and experiments young scientists learn about the structure of DNA and how it contains the recipe for...
Curated OER
Sequencing the Cystic Fibrosis Gene: A Simulation
Ninth graders use this activity to simulate the sequencing of gene and to detect the presence of possible genetic defects. They use diagrams that represent bands of nucleotides in order to determine the sequence of a small piece of the...
Curated OER
The ABC's of DNA
Young scholars describe genetics as if they were explaining it to a young child. After reading an article, they discover new discoveries in the human genome project. Using the internet, they research a pair of genetic terms and develop...
Curated OER
Twins!
Students study genetics and how twins can be identical. In this genetics lesson students research twins and how heredity, environment and personality play a part.
Curated OER
Sequencing
Learners gather information about gene sequencing. In this biology lesson, students use the Internet to access information about gene sequencing, then work in pairs to read and record a gene sequence. Lesson includes extension activities.
Curated OER
DNA Cut and Paste Activity
Here is a cut and paste activity worksheet designed for older students. They fill in the blank with information about the composition of DNA, then create a DNA strand with its complimentary nucleotide chain.
Learning Games Lab
The Magic of Reading Graphs
Making conclusions from graphs doesn't need to seem like magic. Learners explore an interactive lesson on reading graphs to strengthen their skills. The content discusses how to read the axes of a graph and draw conclusions based on the...
Learning Games Lab
Nitrogen in Pollutants
Responsible farming is important for maintaining natural resources. Eager scientists complete a WebQuest to explore what happens to nitrogen when it enters the soil. They learn about the chemical makeup of nitrogen-based molecules and...
Curated OER
Protein Synthesis
In this protein synthesis worksheet, students use a given strand of DNA to write the complimentary base pairs. They transcribe the message to the RNA and then they translate the message into the proper amino acids using the codons on the...
Curated OER
DNA Models
Students construct paper model of the DNA molecule. In this genetics lesson, students assemble paper parts that represent nucleotides into a DNA molecule. Extension ideas are also provided.
Serendip
From Gene to Protein - Transcription and Translation
Learners identify the different steps involved in DNA transcription. For this genetics lesson, pupils complete a worksheet and model the translation process with a paper chain activity. They watch a video on sickle cell anemia and...
Biology Corner
A Chromosome Study
Study groups based on sizes of pairs. Pupils use images of chromosomes to create an organized pattern grouped into pairs and organized on size called a karyotype. Scholars create a second karyotype that contains a genetic disorder and...
Curated OER
Building a Model DNA
Middle schoolers explain the function of DNA in the body. In this biology lesson, students build a DNA model using simple materials. They demonstrate how bases pair up in the helix.
Curated OER
Genetic Changes
In this genetic change worksheet, learners will explore the changes that can occur in DNA including point mutations and chromosomal mutations. This worksheet has 11 multiple choice questions.
Curated OER
Battle of the Beaks
Students explore adaptive advantage, based on beak function, by simulating birds competing for various foods.
Curated OER
AP: Chapter 16: The Molecular Basis of Inheritance
Advanced biology masters take a close look at DNA and the scientists who contributed to our understanding of this complex and powerful molecule. They answer 21 questions about DNA structure, replication, and repair. This can be used as a...
Biology Junction
Protein Synthesis
Watson and Crick built the first model of DNA in the 1950s, and our understanding of DNA since then continues to grow exponentially. Scholars learn about protein synthesis by observing a presentation and completing a worksheet. Both walk...
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...