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Lesson Plan

The Wildlife Forensics Lab

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This The Wildlife Forensics Lab lesson plan also includes:

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 from a threatened great white shark.

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CCSS: Designed
Concepts
dna, dna sequence, endangered species, gel electrophoresis, making observations, making inferences, data analysis, buffers, forensics
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Additional Tags
science
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Instructional Ideas
  • Use the extension materials to expose learners to different applications of biotechnology in endangered species intervention
  • Although lab groups will not be creating samples using the PCR technique, show a video of how the process works
Classroom Considerations
  • Take a moment to brush up on the PCR method of DNA amplification to help you convey the process to the class
Pros
  • The lesson plan contains several opportunities for assessment, including collaboration and creation of a scientific argument
  • Pre-lab activities give the class an opportunity for a dry run in creating and interpreting a gel plate
Cons
  • None