Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Watson-Crick Model of DNA Structure

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Junior geneticists construct models of DNA to discover sequencing and pairing of nucleotides. They use the models to simulate protein synthesis and then translate the codes into physical traits. Finally, they use the traits to create a...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

DNA Structure, Nucleic Acids, and Proteins

For Teachers 9th - 12th
What is in that double helix? Explain intricate concepts with a variety of creative activities in a lesson that incorporates multiple steps to cover DNA structure, nucleic acids, and proteins. Pupils explore the history of DNA structure,...
Lesson Plan
Serendip

DNA Structure, Function and Replication

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Before a cell replicates, its DNA must replicate. Take advantage of a hands-on guided activity to teach budding scientists how this happens. Using a set of nucleotide cards, learners become the DNA and work to create matching strands...
Unit Plan
BBSRC

Discovering DNA: The Recipe for Life

For Teachers 4th - 9th Standards
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA: Expressions in Agriculture

For Teachers 7th
What is DNA extraction, and can you make a living doing it? Yes, if you are in a biotechnology field. Kids learn about DNA extraction, GMOs, and biotechnology careers. They then watch videos and complete activities to understand the use...
Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

DNA Profiling Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Everyone loves a good mystery ... can your class actually solve one? Partnered pupils take on the role of forensic investigators during a three-part activity focusing on DNA evidence processing. Learners discover the methods used to...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Building a DNA Model

For Teachers 9th - 12th
It has been decades since the discovery of DNA. Still, activities such building this DNA model allow blossoming scientists to better understand the components that form this overall structure. During this activity, they will also...
Instructional Video1:02
PBS

DNA 101: Life's Instruction Manual | UNC-TV Science

For Students 5th - 12th
Unravel the DNA molecule in just over a minute! Future geneticists listen and watch a video exploring DNA's structure, function, and the interaction of the genes and proteins that decode and interpret the complex molecule. Scholars...
Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Viral DNA Integration

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
How do reverse transcriptase inhibitors work? Young virologists examine the function of azidothymidine, a drug doctors use to treat HIV patients, during a hands-on modeling activity. Groups create a strand of DNA from an HIV RNA strand...
Lesson Plan
National Association of Biology Teachers

Using the Discovery of the Structure of DNA to Illustrate Cultural Aspects of Science

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Times have changed—and so have science practices. An introductory lesson describing the components of DNA begins with a discussion of the discovery of DNA and its perception in different cultures and genders. Scholars then learn about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cell Wall Recipe: A Lesson on Biofuels

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Biotech engineers discover that changes in the DNA code for cell wall formation can help create crops better suited for biofuel production. They extract DNA from wheat germ. They decode paper strips with codes and relate the activity to...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Genome: The Secret of How Life Works

For Students 4th - 12th Standards
What do you have in common with a fruit fly? About 60 percent of your DNA. The resource, divided into two units, is intended for grades four to eight and another for high schoolers. Both units include eight lessons covering the...
Instructional Video1:23
PBS

Genes 101: Life’s Instruction Manual | UNC-TV Science

For Students 5th - 12th
Discover the common genetic ground shared by humans and chickens. Group members listen and view an animation about genes and proteins, which details their roles in building biological structures such as tissues and organs. Participants...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

High-Tech Food: Science in Your Shopping Cart

For Teachers 7th
Kids are given a lot to think about, as they delve into the world of high-tech foods. They discuss GMOs, biotechnology, food enhancements and domestication. They view videos, engage in class discussions, complete worksheets, and learn...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Adaptation and Evolution

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Um may be the atomic symbol for confusion, but it won't be needed in this lesson. Scholars rotate through seven stations completing experiments, hands-on activities, writing exercises, and analysis. Stations include material on...
Lesson Plan
American Society for Microbiology

”Build a Bacterium” Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
An exciting activity has scholars use cell parts to build bacteria through cooperation with other groups. Each group has some of the cell parts needed, but they must trade with other groups to be able to fulfill their function as a...
Activity
1
1
Lincoln Public Schools

Cell Exploration Activities

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
Engage young biologists in exploring the mysteries of life with this collection of hands-on activities. Enlisting the help of numerous digital resources, students get an up-close look at the structure of plant and animal...
Unit Plan
Kenan Fellows

Unit 1: Introduction to Biotechnology

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Biotechnology is big! Introduce the uses of biotechnology to science scholars with a fascinating, fact-filled unit. The first installment in a series of four biotechnology units covers the role biotechnology plays in human and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Effect of Natural Selection on Genes, Traits and Individuals

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Rotating through five stations, evolutionary biologists explore the question of how changes in DNA facilitate the changes in a population over time. High-quality, colorful cards of animals, skeletons, skulls, and DNA sequences can all be...
Activity
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Natural Selection and the Evolution of Darwin's Finches

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Darwin explained the connection between species of finches 150 years before scientists understood DNA. Technology and progressing science proved he was right, yet many struggle to understand how natural selection happens. Scholars use...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Viruses

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Germs, parasites, and viruses, oh my! Facilitate a activity on viruses as individuals explore functions of Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya. They learn how viruses compare with other organisms in nature and how they contribute to...
Interactive
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Central Dogma and Genetic Medicine

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Scientists work every day to find solutions to genetic diseases. Scholars learn about the process of gene sequencing, mutations, and the results. They explore genetic diseases and therapies to intervene and help and, through case...
Lesson Plan
Towson University

Transformation Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Transform your class' understanding of genes and antibiotic resistance with the Transformation Lab. Junior geneticists create and observe their own resistant strains of E. coli through research, discussion, and experimentation. The...
Unit Plan
Kenan Fellows

Unit 3: Genetic Variation

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What happens when genes change? Junior genetic investigators examine the effects of mutation in the third unit of a four-part Biotechnology series. Individuals discover the types of mutations through a series of PowerPoints, then partner...

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