Putting DNA To Work Activities
These activities have been selected by master teachers as follow-up activities to reinforce the concepts learned during a visit to the Koshland Science Museum or a Virtual Field Trip.
They are designed for middle and high-school students and adhere to the National Academies' National Science Education Standards.
The Gene Scene
Students are introduced to the concept of genetics through a series of interactive activities and games. They learn basic definitions and explore various applications through which the study of DNA affects daily lives.
Level of Difficulty: Introductory
Alike But Not The Same
Students conduct an inventory of human traits and play a game that helps to highlight each individual's uniqueness. They find out that humans share many basic characteristics, but at the same time there is variation.
Level of Difficulty:
Introductory or Intermediate
Tour of the Basics
This interactive web activity introduces students to DNA, genes, chromosomes, proteins, inheritance and traits
Level of Difficulty:
Introductory or Intermediate
An Inventory of My Traits
Students take an inventory of several of their own traits and then compare them with the inventories of other groups of students.
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate
Create A DNA Fingerprint
Students solve a mystery using DNA fingerprinting. Through an interactive lab the students go through the steps used to make a DNA fingerprint. They then evaluate their evidence to find the culprit of the crime.
Level of Difficulty: Introductory or Intermediate
The Meaning Of Genetic Variation
Students investigate variations in the beta globin gene by comparing DNA sequences
from a normal individual and a person who has sickle cell disease. They observe
the mutation that leads to the disease. Through a case study, students explore
all aspects of sickle cell disease from transmission to symptoms to detection.
Level of Difficulty:
Intermediate or Advanced
The Gene Scene
Students are introduced to the concept of genetics through a series of interactive activities and games. They learn basic definitions and explore various applications through which the study of DNA affects daily lives.
Level of Difficulty:
Introductory
Tour The Basics
This interactive web activity introduces students to DNA, Genes, Chromosomes, Inheritance, Proteins and Mitosis/Meiosis.
Level of Difficulty:
Introductory op Intermediate
The Virtual Bacterial Identification Lab
Students use a series of interactive lab experiments to isolate DNA from a disease-causing bacteria. They then sequence the DNA and analyze the sequence to identify the bacteria.
Level of Difficulty:
Advanced
The National Academy of Sciences and the organizations formed under its Congressional Charter, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, and the National Research Council (collectively referred to herein as the "National Academies") provides hyperlinks or "links" to other websites on the World Wide Web ("Independent Sites") solely as a convenience to its users. The material and information available on the Independent Sites have been produced or provided by persons or organizations who are not affiliated with the National Academies, and the National Academies has no responsibility or liability for such material. Any facts, opinions, or recommendations expressed on any Independent Site are solely those of the Independent Site and are not necessarily endorsed, adopted, or verified as accurate by the National Academies.
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