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Strawberry DNA extraction

In CareerStart lessons: Grade seven, page 3.2

In this lesson for grade seven, students extract DNA from a strawberry and discuss careers related to genetics.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Science)

By Michelle Arias.Adapted by Mitzi Talbert.

Protein synthesis with words

This activity is aimed at helping students understand protein synthesis, DNA, mRNA, tRNA, ribosomes, and mutations by using words.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

By Bert Wartski.

Genetics

Eye color, hair color, height, and other traits as well as predisposition to certain diseases are all determined by genes. This sampling of resources take you into the world of heredity and genetics and the cutting edge technologies of cloning, gene therapy, and DNA forensics.

Format: bibliography/help

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 Information Skills and Science)

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

Smallpox virus

This transmission electron micrograph (TEM) depicts a number of smallpox virus virions, magnified approximately 370,000 times. The dumbbell-shaped structure inside the smallpox virion is the viral core, which contains the viral DNA.

Format: image/photograph

Interdisciplinary Integrated Unit on DNA/Genetics Part B: Math

The second lesson of an interdisciplinary integrated unit on DNA and genetics, focusing on math. The other lessons in the unit focus on science and language arts.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Computer/Technology Skills and Mathematics)

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

Interdisciplinary Integrated Unit on DNA/Genetics Part C: Language Arts

The third lesson of an interdisciplinary integrated unit on DNA and genetics, focusing on language arts. The first two lessons in the unit focus on science and math.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 English Language Arts and Information Skills)

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

Wall-to-wall project-based learning: A conversation with biology teacher Kelley Yonce

This article explains the process of project-based learning (PBL) as it is practiced by Kelley Yonce, a high-school biology teacher who uses PBL throughout the school year. Concrete guidelines for a DNA project are included, as well as rubrics, assessment criteria, and other relevant documents.

Format: article/best practice (grade 9–12 Science)

By Dan Lewandowski.

CareerStart lessons: Grade seven

This collection of lessons aligns the seventh grade curriculum in math, science, English language arts, and social studies with potential career opportunities.

Format: (multiple pages)

Forensic scientists: Identifying unknown substances

In CareerStart lessons: Grade eight, page 5.10

In this lesson, students use the physical properties of three mystery substances to determine their identities. Students discuss how these skills apply to careers in forensic science.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

By Tammy Johnson and Martha Tedrow.

The mystery of the first Americans

In Prehistory, contact, and the Lost Colony, page 2.2

In the second half of the twentieth century, archaeologists agreed that those “first Americans” migrated from Asia across Beringia and into North America between fourteen and twenty thousand years ago. Recently, though, new evidence has come to light that has led some archaeologists to doubt that theory and to suggest new possibilities.

Format: article

By David Walbert.

Theories of migration

In Two worlds: Educator's guide, page 2.1

In this lesson, students will read about and evaluate differing theories about the migration of the first people to the Americas.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Pauline S. Johnson.

Technological artifacts and the evolution of the student desk

In CareerStart lessons: Grade eight, page 5.2

In this lesson, students discuss a variety of definitions for the word technology and the relationships between technology, science, and society.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)

By Tammy Johnson and Martha Tedrow.

A perspective on inquiry

In this interview, Norman Budnitz, cofounder of the Center for Inquiry Based Learning, talks about inquiry and how to teach with it in a K–12 classroom.

Format: article/best practice

By Waverly Harrell.

The search for the Lost Colony

In Prehistory, contact, and the Lost Colony, page 4.4

No one knows what happened to the “Lost Colonists” of Roanoke Island -- but that has only made their story more interesting. Over the past 400 years, historians, archaeologists, storytellers, and outright liars have developed a number of theories about the vanished settlers.

Format: article

By David Walbert.

Two paths to knowledge

For students who who always finish their class work early or want more information than you have time to give, try curriculum compacting.

By Waverly Harrell.

The natural history of North Carolina

In Prehistory, contact, and the Lost Colony, page 1.2

If the five billion years of the earth's history were condensed into a single day, humans would have arrived in North Carolina just two tenths of a second before midnight! This article summarizes the major biological and geological events in North Carolina's history and explains how the land and environment of today came to be.

Format: article

By David Walbert.

Resources on the web

Extracting DNA

This lesson introduces DNA, genes, chromosomes, the chemicals that make up DNA. After the basic information, students will do an experiment in which they will separate out DNA from peas. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

DNA and endangered species

Students learn some basics about DNA and genetics and how DNA can be used to study and help endangered animals. They will visit a Web site with information about specific research projects, and write paragraphs explaining how DNA and genetics research might... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Science)

Provided by: National Geographic

DNA from the Beginning

A textbook-like resource organized around key concepts: classical genetics, molecules of genetics, and genetic organization and control. The science behind each concept is explained with animation, image galleries, video interviews, problems, biographies,... (Learn more)

Format: website/general

Provided by: DNA Learning Center at Cold Springs Harbor Laboratory