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Lesson Plan
Towson University

Berries...With a Side of DNA? (High School)

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Is DNA still present after picking fruit or cooking vegetables? Biology scholars extract and collect DNA strands in an impactful lab. Working groups prepare their samples and compare their results to negative and positive standard...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA Detectives

For Teachers 10th - 12th
In order to understand DNA fingerprinting, advanced biology aces divise a crime scenario and analyze three different samples of lambda DNA. This creative lesson plan provides practice with micropipettes, electrophoresis boxes, and other...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA, the Awesome Thread of Life

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine how traits are passed to offspring.  In this genetic reproduction lesson students develop a model of dna and learn about its structure, replication and function.
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Lesson Plan
Personal Genetics Education Project

How Does Ancestry Testing Work? Exploring Admixture Testing

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed Standards
Find out the science behind ancestry testing! Investigators watch a video exploring how ancestry works before participating in a hands-on group activity. Scholars role play scientists while learning about testing protocols and test...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

String Cells

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Use this resource to have your class learn about the cell. This resource walks learners through the construction of a model of a cell. This project is completed in a cooperative learning group, and  reinforces the higher-order thinking...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovering DNA Structure

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students work in cooperative groups of four and manipulate paper nucleotides to discover the structure of DNA. They model DNA and sing the DNA song to review concepts. Lyrics to song included in lesson plan.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovering DNA Structure

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners work on this paper lab in cooperative groups of four and manipulate nucleotides to discover the structure of DNA. When they have finished the lab, students have created model of DNA that can be hung on the ceiling. Learners...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating DNA

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students engage in a variety of activities designed to facilitate the understanding of DNA. Activities include preparing human chromosome spreads, separating a mixture of dyes using gel electrophoresis and extracting DNA from onion cells,
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constructing a Phylogenetic Tree Using DNA Sequence Data

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students analyze DNA sequence differences between organisms in order to establish a reasonable picture of the evolutionary relationships between them. They take the role of molecular biologists and make genetic changes and constructing...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Groovy DNA Beads

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Learners create models of DNA and RNA using string and beads. They use beads representing the four nitrogenous bases of DNA to create a portion of a strand of DNA, and it's corresponding RNA. Then, young scholars examine how many of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recombinant DNA to Protect Crops

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are asked to recount their greatest hopes and fears concerning DNA. One article states how worthwhile gene manipulation in plants can be. Classroom discussions arise after reading one article on this issue.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA and Protein Synthesis

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders work with a partner, and copies of the attached worksheet "Amino Acid Codon Table" They discuss ways an organism, obtains and uses proteins. Students view a teacher prepared DNA strand banner, and record the complementary...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Viruses and Host Evolution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are organized into groups of four. On Day 1 they are given a worksheet about viruses and their effects on the evolution of a rabbit population. After about 30 minutes of group work, a class discussion of the material begins. ...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cut-off Genes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Investigate the relationships between different deep-sea organisms by DNA sequencing. A worksheet provides instructions for DNA sequencing and space to work. They simulate gel electrophoresis by cutting out paper "DNA strands." Modeling...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science in the Court Room

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Share their opinions on the use of DNA databases in criminal investigations. After reading an article, they evaluate the pros and cons of the databases and work in groups to answer discussion questions. They write a letter to a state...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Strawberry Smoothies

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Biologists extract the DNA from a strawberry. After completing the procedure, learners write answers to a few questions on the lab sheet provided. This is ideal lab practice during a DNA unit in your general biology course. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA in a "Snap"

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students observe a model of DNA and answer probing questions like, "What does this model represent?" They then work in small groups to construct an accurate model of DNA per rubric provided and present to the class explaining their model...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA AND BLOOD TYPING

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students list three descriptive characteristics and three functions of DNA, describe two ways that genetics is important in a forensic investigation, and list the four major human blood types.
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Lesson Plan
Towson University

Case of the Crown Jewels

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Can your biology class crack the Case of the Crown Jewels? Junior forensics experts try their hands at DNA restriction analysis in an exciting lab activity. The lesson introduces the concept of restriction analysis, teaches pipetting and...
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Lesson Plan
Towson University

The Wildlife Forensics Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Can science put an end to the poaching of endangered species? Show your young forensic experts how biotechnology can help save wildlife through an exciting electrophoresis lab. Grouped pupils analyze shark DNA to determine if it came...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA Fingerprinting: You Be the Judge!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore DNA fingerprinting. Students discover how DNA fingerprinting is done and judge the validity. They evaluate the use of certain prints in courts and address the ethics of establishing a national database of fingerprpints.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life Science: DNA Whodunit?

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students role play an honorary detective to assist in solving a crime committed. They investigate by a bank robbery and interview eyewitnesses using their Crime Investigation Notebook and clues from an eyewitness account from the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA Fingerprinting: You Be the Judge!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners use their knowledge of DNA fingerprinting to evaluate the use fingerprints in courts, and will address the ethics of establishing a national database of fingerprints.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Candy DNA Model Lesson

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students explore DNA structure using materials such as Twizzlers, small colored gumdrops and/or toothpicks.