Curated OER
It's All About Vitamins
The fascinating topic of human skin color is examined in this article from Muse magazine. It highlights a study done by a pair of scientists on the relationships among strength of sunlight, vitamins, and melanin in the skin. The results...
Serendip
Genetics
A handout on genetic inheritance begins with a reading on alleles and how they can result in albinism. Junior geneticists learn to complete Punnett squares and participate in a coin toss simulation of allele pairing. They also learn...
Curated OER
Integumentary System
In this integumentary system worksheet, 9th graders list the two major layers of the skin and name the type of tissue composing each layer. Then they describe the structure and function of the hypodermis. Students also list three types...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Human Skin Color: Evidence for Selection
Skin color is controlled by at least six genes. Young scientists learn about skin colors through a documentary. They discuss the topics of pigment, natural selection, and vitamin D absorption. They apply their knowledge to higher order...
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
Integumentary System
In this biology worksheet, students identify and locate various vocabulary terms pertaining to integumentary system of the body. There are 27 biology terms located in the word search.
Curated OER
Families and Heredity
Personality traits and physical appearance traits within families are the focus here. Learners make a poster which lists the shared physical traits they have with their family. Peers look at each poster and write down the traits they see...
Curated OER
Ozark Karst: A Fragile Landform
Young geologists become familiar with the Karst Topography in the Ozark Mountains. They study how human activity has affected the cave ecosystem. They conduct a simulation in which a large development is proposed in the area, and they...
Curated OER
Reading Comprehension 4: level 9
Whether you use this reading comprehension instructional activity as the basis for a short lesson on comprehension strategies or for additional practice, the passage about tricky octopi is sure to engage the interest of your young...
Pleasant Valley Community School District
Integumentary System
This document can be used as a slide show to introduce your human body systems class to the integumentary system, also know as skin. Topics outlined include the roles of skin, details about its its layers, and color (cause and...
Curated OER
Albinistic Animals Are Awesome
Are all academicians allured with alliteration? Use this cross-curricular online resource to simultaneously expose your scholars to parts of speech and the genetic mutation causing albinism. Initial context gives students an introduction...
Curated OER
Reproduction and Heredity
Sixth graders investigate how traits are passed from parents to their offspring. They list things they have in common with family members, read key vocabulary terms, create a poster of shared physical and personality traits, and watch...
Curated OER
Protection, Support, and Locomotion
In this human body instructional activity, students will review 5 terms associated with the skin by filling in the blank. Then students will read 14 statements about the human skeleton and muscles and determine if its true or false.
Curated OER
Learning Activities: What Color Am I?
Students identify various species of anurans by their skin coloration. They describe how coloration contributes to survival.
Other
Tight Rope: On the Structure of Dhi Melanin
This site concentrates on the chemical structure and chemical properties of melanin. Advanced knowledge of chemistry needed for this personal site from Rodolfo Alessandro Nicolaus.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Discussion Guide: From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun
Scholastic presents this discussion guide of "From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun" by Jacqueline Woodson. The guide includes discussion questions, extension activities, and more.
Curated OER
Kids Health: Albinism
Albinism is a condition when someone doesn't have enough melanin in their skin, eyes, or hair. This article explains all about albinism and the causes of the condition.
Library of Congress
Loc: Everyday Mysteries, Why Does Hair Turn Gray?
Explore the science behind gray hair through this summary produced by the Library of Congress.
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
Abpi: Skin Structure and Function
An interactive, self-paced lesson on the body's largest organ, the skin. Students learn information and watch descriptive animations to aid in understanding, answering review questions throughout the activity. A self-check quiz follows...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Human Remains Identification
In this comprehensive interactive tutorial the area of forensic science is explored. Learn how are human remains identified and what clues might investigators find that indicate a homicide rather than a natural or accidental death. Also...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Forensic Science: Analysis of Hair, Fiber and Botanical Mtl
This comprehensive interactive tutorial explores forensic science, particularly within the area of hair analysis. Investigate the parts of a hair and how it grows. Learn how is hair evidence is collected and analyzed and what different...
Curated OER
Kids Health: Say Hello to Hair
There aren't many kids' sites like this one! Have fun and learn at the same time about the fuzzy, curly or straight stuff on the top of your head. Available in Spanish. Site by KidsHealth.org.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Hhmi: Bio Interactive: How We Get Our Skin Color Interactive
This is an interactive video that describes the factors that affect our skin color. There are five points in the video where students can pause the video to learn further information about the concepts discussed. [3:32]
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: Crazy Camouflage
Create a flounder fish that's hard to spot. In this hands-on activity, students gather evidence to explore how camouflage helps animals survive.