Browse lesson plans

DNA wrap: Packaging matters

In this lesson, students learn about epigenetics and its role in gene expression.

Format: lesson plan

By Dana Haine.

How to make a linkage map based on phenotype of offspring

In Restoring the American chestnut, page 5

The approximate distance of two genes that are located near each other on the same chromosome can be determined by observing the phenotype of the offspring and calculating how the results differ from the expected Mendelian cross. This lesson walks students through those calculations and shows how to make a linkage map of three traits on the same chromosome. It uses actual traits found in American chestnut trees to teach this concept.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

By Shelley Casey.

Interdisciplinary integrated unit on DNA and genetics Part A: Science

The first part of an interdisciplinary week-long unit on DNA and genetics, focusing on science. Parts B and C of the unit focus on math and language arts.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7–9 Information Skills and Science)

By Jane Lentz, Jimmy White, Tori Goldrick, and Marlene Smith.

Looking closely at a tree: Introduction to phenotype

In this lesson, students will sharpen their observation skills by looking closely at the parts of a slender tree branch. After learning the terms phenotype and genotype in a presentation and class discussion, they will examine the cambium layer and an apical bud from their branches under a microscope.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Science)

By Harold Mackin.

Low-tech PCR

In Restoring the American chestnut, page 7

This simulation and manual PCR demonstration is designed for classrooms without a thermocycler and those that do not have enough time to do a full manual PCR. It is designed to give students the concepts and vocabulary as well as give them a visual representation of the process.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

By Shelley Casey.

Marker-assisted selection

In this lesson students will learn about marker-assisted selection in trees. Marker-assisted selection is an indirect selection process where a trait of interest is selected based on a marker linked to a trait of interest. Students will conduct two labs. In one, they will extract DNA from a peach and in the other, they will use gel electrophoresis to test tree DNA for frost resistance.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Science)

By Harold Mackin.

Modeling bacterial transformation

In Restoring the American chestnut, page 10

This lesson walks students through the process of bacterial transformation. It is ideal for classrooms that do not have the time or money for all students to complete a bacterial transformation.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 English Language Arts and Science)

By Shelley Casey.

Polygenic traits with pennies

Uses the results of flipping pennies to represent the functioning of polygenic traits.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

By Buie Sadie, James Caldwell, Jeanette Fredericks, Janice Shue, Katie Wadsworth, and Tracy Watson.

Restoring the American chestnut

A blight devastated American chestnut trees in the early 1900s. In this unit students will study how biotechnology is being used to develop a blight-resistant tree. They will engage in hands-on activities to apply their knowledge of DNA and genetics to simulate the steps needed to find the genes for resistance and insert them into an American chestnut tree. Lessons are designed to be used for any level of biology and do not require high-tech equipment.

Format: lesson plan (multiple pages)

What is genomics?

In Restoring the American chestnut, page 9

Mapping genomes helps scientists study the location and function of specific genes. The process simulated in this lesson was used in the Human Genome Project and is currently being used by scientists all over the world to map genomes of various organisms. The lesson specifically looks at the use of BAC clones to make a map of DNA fragments which have been cut by the same restriction enzyme (a restriction map).

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Science)

By Shelley Casey.

Resources on the web

Evolution: a journey into where we're from and where we're going

A multimedia website that uses interactive activities, video, audio, timelines, polls, games, and roundtable discussions to explore the multi-faceted topic of evolution. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: PBS

Variations in human skin color

In this lesson, students will learn about the factors that determine skin color and how adaptation and natural selection contribute to its variation. They will come to understand that skin color is no longer considered a credible scientific standard by which... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provided by: Science Netlinks