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The Genetic Counseling Game
Learners explore genetics and ethical issues. They siimulate the role of genetic counselors, perform fictitious tests, and gather information about parents and fetuses in case studies. Students describe the condition and formulate a...
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Cracking the Code - Cloning Paper Plasmid
Students explore the "genetic code." They observe how genes may be manipulated for genetic research, gene cloning, and genetic engineering. In a lab setting, students examine the mechanics involved in cutting and ligating DNAs into a...
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Modeling Mendel's Pea Experiment
Students discover what Mendel uncovered in his famous pea experiments. They form explanations for the result of crossing a true-breeding round pea plant with a true-breeding wrinkled pea plant (the F1 generation) and for the results...
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Genetic Mistakes
Learners explore genetic disorders. They examine the genetic structure to physicial manifestations of various disabilities. Using internet sources, students analyze the characteristics of genetic disorders, whether they can be cured or...
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Genome's Greatest Hits
Pupils explore the progression of discoveries that have led to the genetics knowledge that scientists currently have. In groups, students research scientists that have made important contributions to understanding the molecules behind...
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Cell City
Students understand how various cell parts function and how they are related to the genetic process by creating a model and symbol to depict the function of the cell parts. They research a cell part to determine function and then cut...
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Artificial selection
Students brainstorm a list of improvements they might make to a picture of a skinny cow to improve its milk yield. They draw ideas on the board and compare these pictures with the original and ask the students which cow they would use...
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Bionic Trees
Pupils examine the debate about using trees to clean up the environment by reading and discussing a news article. They research the various contexts for which scientists may want to genetically alter trees and assess the validity of...
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Genetics: Who are you?
Study, manipulate, and research genetic traits. Discuss how genetic traits are passed from one generation to another. Classmates explore how they look like their parents and debate whether or not they can do anything about it? They...
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Food of the Future
Pupils combine their knowledge of genetics, farming and nutrition to design a genetically engineered food. Students focus on how the food will be improved, how it differs from the original product, what types of modifications will be...
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Genetic Testing for Disease Susceptibility
Students explore how testing for particular genetic variations can help people to make decisions in lifestyle and health care choices. They analyze a Web-based case study, participate in class discussion, view video segments and...
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How Is the Genetic Code Ultimately Translated Into a Protein?
Pupils examine the functions of mRNA, rRNA and tRNA. They explain the steps in the protein synthesis process. They practice using new vocabulary as well.
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Genetically Modified Foods
Students explain what genetically modified foods are and how they are created. Students use appropriate vocabulary to describe and effectively discuss the benefits of, and potential risks of, genetically modified foods.
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Plastic Egg Genetics
Students are introduced to the concepts of genetic dominance, recessiveness, related terms, Punnett Squares, etc.
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People Are Like Peas in a Pod
Students experiment with peapods to show the diversity of individual within a population. They examine dominant traits, recessive traits, genotypes, and phenotypes and show the process of making a Punnett Square.
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Frankenfish
Students learn the difference between a genotype and a phenotype. They demonstrate that recombination of gametes (coins) will result in the formation of unique individuals.
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Toothpick Fish
Learners experiment with genes and environment for a population of "Toothpick Fish."
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Genetics: Mice Rule! (Or Not)
Learners explore genetics and evolution by examining a hypothetical mouse population. Using coin tosses, they determine mouse traits of parents and offspring. Finally, they consider the outcomes of changing environmental conditions on...
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Blue Genes: Affect Your Life!
Students, in groups, research, analyze and synthesize information on genetic diseases. After watching a video on genetics, groups perform research on a variety of genetic diseases and present their findings to the class.
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Designer Genes
Students view a video on DNA. They discuss mitosis, meiosis and fertilization. They use strips of paper to simulate fertilization and analyze the genotype and phenotype of the combined chromosomes.
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Race and Genetics: An Integrated Approach
Students analyze racial issues related to the Human Genome Project. They participate in a mock symposium and write a reflection/position paper based on specific ethical principals.
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GMOs: Should We Grow Them?
Students examine the ethics of biotechnology and genetically modifying various organisms. They complete various activities and labs on GMOs and then write a position paper regarding their individual opinions on the subject.
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Alcohol and Driving: When to Say No
Students inspect the factors involved in blood alcohol concentration. They observe a Web-based driving simulation and discover the physical and mental impairments caused by alcohol. They calculate the blood alcohol content in various...
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Using the Internet: Punnett Squares
Seventh graders discuss their own genetic traits. Using computers, they research the creation of Punnett Squares. They preform online experiments with peas, predicting the appearances of the offspring. They determine how genetic traits...