Curated OER
Human Impact on Water Quality
Learners identify at least three common repercussions of developing water front property on water quality. They describe three sources of water pollution. They research the organism striped bass and observe it if striped bass is available.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Zebrafish and Skin Color
You may not know if that zebrafish in your fish tank is a model citizen—but it is definitely a model organism! What can we learn about ourselves from a tiny zebrafish? Discover more about the polygenic trait of skin color through a...
Curated OER
Human Genetics
In this biology worksheet, 9th graders create a Punnett square to show the possible offspring of a carrier female and a normal male for color blindness. Then they draw a pedigree for the family and indicate whether the daughter is...
Curated OER
Human Genetics
In this science worksheet, students complete 7 sentences about genetics. For example, "Genes are made of something called..."
Curated OER
Inherited Traits
Students work with a partner to complete an inventory of their traits and compare and discuss their unique qualities. In this biology lesson, students determine percentages for the frequency of observed traits of classmates, compile the...
Curated OER
Chapter Fourteen Questions: Human Genome
This multiple-choice and short-answer quiz covers chromosomes, genetic disorders, and more. The multiple choice section could work as a pretest, as well.
Curated OER
Genome: A Tour and Genetic Disorder Brochure
Students use the Internet to gather information about genetics, then research a genetic disorder. In this biology activity, students listen to an interview with a geneticist, watch an animation of "chromosome coiling", then research and...
Curated OER
Tracking Down Traits
Sixth graders list traits that all sixth graders share. They receive worksheets "Tracking Down Traits," working in groups to complete the chart. Students share results with the class and a class summary is tallied. Students discuss the...
Curated OER
Exploring Learned and Innate Behavior
Students explore the differences between learned and innate behavior among humans and monkeys. They complete an assignment and read articles about two studies, which used similar test methods to show that infants and monkeys share an...
Curated OER
All in the Family: Calculating Cousins
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...
Curated OER
Genetics
Comprehend that many human characteristics-all physical traits and possibly many personality traits-are determined by our genetic makeup. These activities demonstate that all physical traits are genetically determined, some evidence...
Kenan Fellows
Unit 4: Bioethics and the Future of Biotechnology
What's the future of biotechnology? Explore a hot topic in the fourth and final unit in a series of Biotechnology lessons. Learners develop an understanding of the many issues in bioethics, then create an argument for or against the role...
Virginia Department of Education
Genetic Variation and Mutations
Young scientists demonstrate their creativity while completing several activities, to assess genetic variations and mutations. Instructors provide a list of options and scientists choose to write a comic strip, create a book, construct a...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Migration, Adaptation, and Changing Climates
It is easy for humans to adapt to changing environments, but how do animals and plants do it? Classes discuss how plants and animals deal with environmental changes in the second of seven lessons. Through questions and discussions,...
Curated OER
Global Awareness
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...
Curated OER
Life Cycles
Young scholars identify inherited traits. In this heredity instructional activity, students watch a video and construct a genetic description of themselves.
Curated OER
Genetics Since Mendel
In this biology worksheet, 9th graders determine whether it is possible for two alleles to produce four genotypes. Then they state how many alleles there are for blood type. Students also determine which blood type is inherited by...
Curated OER
Human Genetics: Yes/No Exercise
In this science worksheet, students demonstrate their knowledge of human genetics by completing a Yes/No exercise. Students read the statement about genes and DNA and agree or disagree with it. No information is given on the page; prior...
Curated OER
The Human Organism
Eighth graders investigate animal behavior by studying the lives of three female behavior scientists. In this human organism lesson students do different activities that inquire and approach each females work.
Utah Education Network (UEN)
Utah Open Textbook: 5th Grade Science
How do Earth's changes affect humans? Pupils learn about physical and chemical changes on Earth and how they lead to erosion, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Using the text, they also explore the concepts of electricity and magnetism by...
North Carolina State University
Exploring Genetics Across the Middle School Science and Math Curricula
Where is a geneticist's favorite place to swim? A gene pool. Young geneticists complete hands-on activities, experiments, and real-world problem solving throughout the unit. With extra focus on dominant and recessive genes, Punnett...
Biology Corner
Pipe Cleaner Babies
Ever been told you have your father's eyes? How did it happen? Young biologists get a hands-on experience in meiotic gene expression with a fun pairs-based activity. Participants use pipe cleaner chromosomes with trait beads to make...
Curated OER
Artificial Selection
The second lesson in the series begins with a starter activity discussing wild versus domesticated animals. Then, scholars play a card game, with optional variations, to emphasize artificial selection. Next, they attend a field trip to a...
Curated OER
Pets: Oh Behave
They say that a dog is a man's best friend. Why is that? Discuss with your class why people like pets and the responsibilities with owning one. They read an article about pet behavior and write a short essay comparing one of their...