Curated OER
Genome: The Secret of How Life Works
Young scholars become aware that genetic issues impact many areas of life, such as medicine, food and agriculture, and law. They become aware that there are many ethical issues related to genetics.
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Biodiversity Debate
Ninth graders debate the positive aspects of dam construction. They discuss how a dam changes the ecosystem. In groups, 9th graders research and gather information for a debate. They state their position and write a report supporting it....
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Genetic Counseling
Students apply the principles of ethical decision making to actual cases. They appreciate that there is usually no one "right" decision. Students compare their conclusions to those of individuals who are in the field.
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Diversity and Adaptations of Organisms
Eighth graders discover the difference between extinct and endangered animals and discuss the reasons why this has occured. They identify threatened and endangered animals living in their local area as well.
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Case Study: Should the Results of the Human Genome Project be Sold for Profit?
Students investigate a case study and discuss whether scientists working on the Human Genome Project should be allowed to patent their work. They consider ethical and legal issues, and determine who owns genetic information.
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Why Care About Amphibian Population Decline and Malformations?
Students examine the reasons for preserving wildlife. They look at reasons for amphibian malformations and write an essay about the ethical issues that this brings up. They listen to the teacher read quotes about extinction and how the...
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Contraceptives: Which Work Best?
Learners discover human health by identifying contraceptive methods. For this sexual health lesson, students discuss the different methods used to prevent births and STD contraction. Learners read assigned text which describes each...
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Organisms and Habitats
Second graders investigate biomes and the plants and animals that are native to particular biomes. They participate in a class discussion, conduct Internet research on a selected biome, and create a shoebox biome using their Internet...
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The Human Genome Project: WebQuest Jigsaw
Twelfth graders research facts about the Human Genome Project. In this biology lesson, 12th graders brainstorm on the pros and cons of this project. They complete the jigsaw puzzle and present their findings in class.
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The Secrets of the Sequence
High schoolers explore genetics using a series of selected videos. In this biology lesson series, students study the different advances in life sciences. They research the pros and cons of genetic research.
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STS Biology - Teaching Controversial Topics
Each of the three activities submitted presents difficult science topics in the context of the human experience. The activities focus on real-world problems, which have science components, from the students' perspectives.
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Webbing out Electricity
Fourth graders identify electricity as a form of energy that is associated with common household products. They utilize technology as an aid in which they can graphically organize their thoughts.
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Ship of Gold
Students research the events that were taking place in the U.S. during the time period when the SS Central America sank, and explore the adventurous, innovative, and individualistic traits that often define the American spirit.
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Yeast Cells and Their Environment
Middle schoolers create their own experiment in which they have yeast cells growing in liquid environments. They examine the relationship between humans and microorganisms. They also practice using the scientific method.
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Scientific Approach to Forest Management
Students use wireless laptop computers to collect, store, communicate, and organize data from the 1999 Jasper Fire area. They collect data in the field and compare it to student-collected data from prior years to develop conclusions...
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Legal Aspects of Tissue
Students research their role and develop a group position on the appropriate use of fetal tissue transplantation. They engage in role play discussion focused on the case study.
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Ask the Antlion
Middle schoolers observe and examine the life cycle of antlions, recording their observations of the live insects in a journal. They view an antlion on a video microscope, draw the body parts, and replicate their experiment at home.
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Intervention Design and Final Report
High schoolers engage in series of studies having to do with the Ambient Air Module. They create a presentation to recommend a solution for the asthma problem experienced by students at school. The rubric is found at the end of the...
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Mendelian Genetics
Learners work collaboratively in small learning groups to create some representation of an aspect of Mendelian genetics in this review lesson for the Biology classroom. The lesson includes task cards for each small group and a...
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What Is It; Whose Is It; Where Did It Come From?
Young scholars discover which elements are most threatening to outdoor sculptures. In groups, they determine the steps that are needed to preserve them. They locate and assess the condition of those sculptures in their local community....
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Designing Our Own Inventions
Third graders use research from a previous lesson to design their own inventions. In groups, they brainstorm a product they would like to see built and share them with the class. They must explain how each one would serve a purpose or...
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Butterfly Life Cycle
Second graders engage in a lesson that covers the life cycle of a butterfly. They use the Kidpix software to create a drawing of the life cycle with the help of an illustration given by the teacher as a guide. Then students discuss the...
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How Green Are We?
Learners identify and interpret the importance of energy efficiency in connection with air pollution. They communicate with families and peers about ways to more effectively contribute to the reduction of air pollution. Finally,...
National First Ladies' Library
World Starvation
Students investigate the concept of world starvation and some of the organizations that are founded in order to help solve the problem. They conduct research using a variety of resources. The information is used in order to conduct class...