Curated OER
Debating Controversial Issues: Integrating Science and Current Events
In order to give young scientists experience with critical thinking skills, introduce them to a current controversy and prepare them to debate. Choose a topic, such as genetically modified organisms, and assign groups to represent...
Field Museum
The Case of Darwin's Finches
One of the most striking pieces of evidence for Darwin's Evolution of Species was his observations of finches and how their beaks differed from island to island, depending on their primary food sources. So what would happen to the theory...
Curated OER
Biotechnology: An Agricultural Dilemma
Students investigate the types of genetically modified crop plants there are and the benefits and risks of such plants. The agricultural needs in developing nations for this biological knowledge to resolve societal issues is also...
American Psychological Association
Using Psychological Perspectives to Answer Questions on Behavior
Perspective is everything when it comes to assessing human behavior. Class members examine a series of statements and identify the perspective represented by each to demonstrate their understanding of different psychological perspectives.
Curated OER
The Effects of Ultra-Violet Light on Yeast
Students work in small groups collecting and analyzing data as they learn how to best grow yeast. This lesson allows students to conduct several student-created experiments as they continually generate questions and hypotheses. ...
Curated OER
A Mendel Seminar
Students analyze Gregor Mendel's discovery of a process of biological evolution. They also explore how recessive and dominant traits are passed from one generation of living organisms to the next. This lesson involves environment...
Curated OER
Pre-Activity Worksheet: Natural Selection
Although the instructions include reading from a specific textbook, the tasks are appropriate for any unit dealing with how genotype frequency changes over time. Junior biologists define five vocabulary terms and then answer five...
Curated OER
Inherited Traits
Young scholars work with a partner to complete an inventory of their traits and compare and discuss their unique qualities. In this biology instructional activity, students determine percentages for the frequency of observed traits of...
Curated OER
Ethics and Reproductive Issues: The Dilemma of Choice
Students research various websites to answer questions and take part in class discussion regarding Prenatal testing. Students listen to an audio file and complete student worksheet. Students discuss different roles of people and...
Curated OER
Cut-Off Genes
Young scholars explain the concept of gene sequence analysis. In this gene lesson, students draw inferences about phylogenetic similarities of different organisms.
Curated OER
DNA and RNA Structure and Transcription
Students compare and contrast the structure of RNA and DNA.They summarize the process of transcription and translation. The instructional activity uses an inquiry model and the use of codes in DNA.
Curated OER
Mystery of the Matching Marks
Students view a Power Point and complete activities related to genetic evidence of human evolution. In this molecular evolution lesson, students view and discuss a provide presentation. They search for the "tell-tale telomere" and...
Curated OER
Gender Disparity on Display
Students explore an article and discuss what gender differences. In this exploring gender lesson students divide into groups and develop a social theory.
Curated OER
By Land or by Sea...or Both?
High schoolers research a video and participate in a discussion. In this watercraft lesson students review material and answer questions about what they learned.
Curated OER
We Arrived 10,000 Years Ago...
Students explain ways that humans migrated from Asia and settle in the Americas. In this investigative lesson students participate in a brief archaeological demonstration and review what they learned.
Curated OER
Paleo-Diving
Learners study sinkholes and how they are associated with paleoamerican settlements. In this underwater exploration lesson students explain how sinkholes are formed.
Curated OER
From Genomes of Species
High schoolers investigate genomic research being done and its potential for understanding, treating, and possibly curing human genetic conditions. The potential of proteomic research as a companion to the work being done with genomics...
Curated OER
Blood Business
Young scholars identify the different kinds of blood. In this biology lesson, students investigate the antigens, agglutinins and Rh factor using their own blood. They use Punnett squares to predict blood type of offspring.
Curated OER
Cotton and Cabbage
High schoolers note how given traits could be achieved by selective breeding and by transgenesis. They identify different uses of GEO. Students recognize that the use of letters (Bt) before an organism's name means that the organism has...
Curated OER
Natural Selection
Students practice calculating allele and genotype frequencies in the framework of a simple simulation using hard candy, calculators, and a worksheet. This lesson includes a three-page worksheet and an assessment question for conclusion.
Curated OER
Inheritance Intrigue
Students slve a case of unclear heredity using three lines of evidence and knowledge gained from the lesson in this biology lesson about Mendelian inheritance. The lesson includes handouts and a question sheet for final, individual...
Curated OER
The Human Organism
Eighth graders investigate animal behavior by studying the lives of three female behavior scientists. In this human organism lesson students do different activities that inquire and approach each females work.
Curated OER
Who's the Father?
Students analyze gels to determine parentage in this lesson about scientific evidence, investigation, and DNA concepts. The lesson includes a pre-activity worksheet, a final individual assessment, and student handouts for in-class...
University of Minnesota
Dendritic Spines Lab
This is your brain on drugs ... literally! Your neuroscientists-in-training examine the evidence of drug use on the human brain and how neurons change their connectivity when altered by drugs. They then work together to create testing...