6th - 8th Grade Module 9 Concept 4

Cycle 1

How has technology been used by humans to influence the inheritance of desired traits in organisms?
Cycle Summary

Humans influence the inheritance of desired traits in organisms through the process of artificial selection. In artificial selection, humans choose the desired parental traits (determined by genes) which are then passed onto offspring.

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Session 1
Elicit

Students complete a probe about gene technology.

Engage

Students ask questions about a phenomenon - the varied appearance of Brassica oleracea vegetables.

Explore

Students extract DNA from their cheek cells.

Students read a fictional patent lawsuit story and learn about gene technology in order to decide if a crime has been committed.

Session 2
Elicit

Students complete a probe about gene technology.

Engage

Students ask questions about a phenomenon - the varied appearance of Brassica oleracea vegetables.

Explore

Students extract DNA from their cheek cells.

Students read a fictional patent lawsuit story and learn about gene technology in order to decide if a crime has been committed.

Session 3
Explain

Students read texts and view a tutorial about artificial selection.

Students use a checklist to assess whether or not a website is a good resource.

Session 4
Explain

Students read texts and view a tutorial about artificial selection.

Students use a checklist to assess whether or not a website is a good resource.

Session 5
Elaborate

Students work in groups to research a particular gene technology.

Session 6
Elaborate

Students work in groups to research a particular gene technology.

Session 7
Elaborate

Students work in groups to research a particular gene technology.

Session 8
Evaluate

Students act as experts on a particular gene technology.

Students take a concept level traditional assessment.

Extend
Extend

Students read science news articles and watch videos about a new gene technology called CRISPR.

Students evaluate claims made in the articles and discuss ethical considerations of gene technology.