All Resources for 11-14s
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Genomics and the Human Genome Project (HGP)
DNA
An activity that allows students to use DNA profiles and other forms of evidence to solve a fictional murder.
Resource: GENIE DNA Detective
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16 / 16-18
Approach: Problem-based learning
Go Bananas: DNA extraction from a banana
A simple protocol for extracting DNA from a banana using household chemicals.
Resource: GENIE Go Bananas!
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Laboratory practical
Wear a Chimp on Your Wrist
An activity that explores the structure of DNA through the rules of base pairing to allow students to produce a double-stranded DNA bracelet. The activity can also be used to demonstrate the similarities, and differences, between the DNA sequences of different species.
Resource: GENIE Wear a Chimp 1
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Interactive tutorial
Cloning, gene therapy
A set of tutorials from The Gene School which include quizzes and experiments that cover topics such as cloning, gene therapy, DNA in the courtroom and inherited diseases.
Resource: The Gene School: Applications index
Age Range: 11-14/14-16/16-18
Approach: Interactive tutorial, games and quizzes, laboratory practicals
Human Genome Race
A fun activity in which children working in groups race each other to construct a genetic sequence from a number of overlapping fragments.
Resource: GENIE Human Genome Race
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Games and quizzes
Document Actions
Website for teachers created by Jeans for Genes, where your school can meet children with genetic disorders through short films and classroom activities targeted at key areas of the national curriculum.
Resource: Genes are Us
Age range: 5-6 / 7-10 / 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Videos, animations,games and quizzes
An Overview of DNA
A collection of resources providing an overview of DNA, including pages on its properties, chemical modification, biological functions, interactions with proteins and uses in technology.
Resource: An Overview of DNA
Age range: 11-14/14-16
Approach: Topic Material
Genes
An activity that allows students to examine a range of traits and use an Excel spreadsheet to work out how 'special' their particular combination of traits makes them within a given population.
Resource: GENIE One in a Million
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Interactive tutorial
GM Crops: Miracles or Monsters? (genetic modification and transgenic crops)
A simple activity in which children try to guess which plants have been genetically modified.
Resource: GENIE GM Crops
Age range: 11-14
Approach: Miscellaneous
From cell to gene to protein synthesis
An online guide to the basics of genetics from The GEEE! in Genome site. The site includes educational materials, videos and games and quizzes on genetics and genomics.
Resource: The GEEE! in Genome website
Age range : 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Topic material
Gene Builder / Heredity slots / Genome Quiz
Three interactive activities from Pfizer's Genome site. The Gene Builder activity explores DNA replication and base-pairing rules.
Resource: Genome Pfizer website
Age range : 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Games and quizzes
Genetics Education blog
The aim of this blog is to highlight current topical stories about genetics and to encourage users to reflect, share opinions and discuss the topics online.
Resource: NHS Genetics Education Blog
Age range : 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Topic material
Cell cycle
Interactive animation of cell cycle from Cells Alive. Can be watched as a whole or moved through step by step.
Resource: Cells Alive website
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16 / 16-18
Approach: Animation
Mitosis
Online tutorial on mitosis, including animations and self-assessment activities, from BioCoach.
Resource: The Biology Place website
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Interactive tutorial
Mitosis lesson plans and resources
Mitosis lesson plans, with knowledge mapping exercises, glossaries for students and teachers, a teachers' guide and a lists of common misunderstandings from Biology Lessons for Prospective and Practicing Teachers at San Diego State University (USA).
Resource: Biology Lessons website
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Animation
Interactive animation of mitosis from Cells Alive. Can be watched as a whole or moved through step by step.
Resource: Cells Alive website
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16 / 16-18
Approach: Animation
Meiosis
Online tutorial on meiosis, including animations and self-assessment activities, from BioCoach.
Resource: The Biology Place website
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Interactive tutorial
Animation of meiosis
Interactive animation of meiosis from Cells Alive. Can be watched as a whole or moved through step by step.
Resource: Cells Alive website
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16 / 16-18
Approach: Animation
A quick, self-marking test on meiosis for secondary school children from The Biology Corner
Resource: Biology Corner website
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16 / 16-18
Approach: Games and quizzes
Making Reebops: a model for meiosis
Reebops are imaginary animals, made from marshmallows (or foam packing pieces). Their features are determined by the characteristics encoded in their chromosomes. Both parents are heterozygous for all their characteristics (except their sex).
Resource: Making Reebops
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16 / 16-18
Approach: Activity
Gene expression
Wear a Chimp on Your Wrist 1 and 2 - DNA base pairs and DNA to protein
Two linked activities. Wear a Chimp 1 explores the structure of DNA through the rules of base pairing, and the students produce a DNA bracelet. Wear a Chimp 2 investigates the way the genetic code specifies a sequence of amino acids, and the students produce a matching protein bracelet. Both activities also demonstrate the similarities, and differences, between the DNA sequences of different species.
Resource: GENIE Wear a Chimp 1 and 2
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Modelling activity
An excellent animation on You Tube.This is made by the NDSU Virtual Cell Animations project. For more information, see http://vcell.ndsu.nodak.edu/animations
Resource: You Tube
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16 / 16-18
Approach: Animation
Transcribe and translate a gene
Interactive tutorial from Learn.Genetics, the Genetic Science Learning Center of the University of Utah (US).
Resource: Learn Genetics website
Software: Macromedia Flash
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Interactive tutorial
Online game exploring gene transcription, including RNA synthesis, from The GEEE! in Genome.
Resource: Nature website
Software: Macromedia Flash or Shockwave
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Games and quizzes
Tutorial on DNA, RNA and proteins from Learn.Genetics, the Genetic Science Learning Center of the University of Utah (US). Examines evidence for the role of RNA in the origin of life.
Resource: Learn Genetics website
Software: Macromedia Flash
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Games and quizzes
Developmental genetics
An outline of the human life-cycle, from egg to ageing, from the Science Museum.
Resource: Your Life Cycle website
Age range: 11-14 /14-16
Approach: Topic material
Patterns of inheritance
Online tutorial on Mendelian inheritance
Online tutorial on the basic concepts of Mendelian genetics, including animations and self-assessment activities, from BioCoach.
Resource: The Biology Place website
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Interactive tutorial
Pass the Genes (online game)
Online game exploring the concept of dominant and recessive genes from The GEEE! in Genome.
Resource: Nature website
Software: Macromedia Flash or Shockwave
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Games and quizzes
Online game exploring gene combinations from The GEEE! in Genome.
Resource: Nature website
Software: Macromedia Flash or Shockwave
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Games and quizzes
Genetic techniques
An award-winning GENIE video introduction to the use of micropipettes in the laboratory for undergraduates and postgraduates. Total running time: 9 minutes.
Resource: GENIE Using a Micropipette
Part 5: Common Things to Avoid
Age Range: 11-14/14-16/16-18
Approach: Video
Genomics and the Human Genome Project (HGP)
Genome - the secret of how life works
Interactive content for students, teachers and parents from Pfizer.
Resource: Genome website
Software: QuickTime or Real Media
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Topic material
An online site containing educational materials, games and videos on genetics and genomics produced by the Canadian Museum of Nature.
Resource: Nature website
Age range: 11-14 / 14-16
Approach: Topic material
General Education
East Midlands Science Learning Centre
The Science Learning Centre offers the best in professional development to everyone involved in science education
Resource: Science Learning Centre
Age range: 7-10/11-14/ 14-16/ 16-18
Approach: Training
Top Marks! Educational Search Engine
A resourse for finding teaching resources, homework help and educational websites for use in the classroom.
Resource: Top Marks!
Age range: 7-10/11-14/ 14-16/ 16-18
Approach: Topic material
American Society of Human Genetics
Genetics education for K-16 (UG/PG) students and teachers, future genetics professionals and the public, from the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) and the Genetics Society of America (GSA), USA.
Resource: ASGH.org
Age range: 7-10/ 11-14/ 14-16/ 16-18
Approach: Topic material
Genetic Resources for Schools and Students
Resources developed by the Institute of Biology to improve the understanding of human genetics in schools from Key Stage 2 upwards, UK.
Resource: Institute of Biology
Age range: 7-10/ 11-14/ 14-16/ 16-18
Approach: Topic material
Genetics Education Partnership (GEP)
Learning community of school teachers, scientists and genetics professionals, Washington, USA.
Resource: Genetics Education Partnership
Age range: 7-10/ 11-14/ 14-16/ 16-18
Approach: Topic material
Serendip
Serendip presents resources from the University of Pennsylvania on cell division and genetics including:
-minds-on discussion/worksheet activities, games, and web-based activities for learning and review
-overviews of important biological topics, including major concepts, common misconceptions, and suggested learning activities.
Resource: Serendip Minds-on activities
Approach: Tutorial activity
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