Bringing Biotechnology to Life

An Educational Resource for Grades 7-10

One: What is DNA?

Objectives:

  • Students will be able to:
    Identify the primary components in a DNA structure.
  • Describe the role of DNA in trait inheritance.
  • Length: 1 hour

    Objectives:
    Students will be able to:

    • Identify the primary components in a DNA structure.
    • Describe the role of DNA in trait inheritance.

    Next Generation Science Standards Addressed:

    • Disciplinary Core Ideas:
      1. LS1.B Growth and Development of Organisms
      2. LS3.A Inheritance of Traits
      3. LS3.B Variation of Traits
    • Practices:
      Asking Questions
    • Cross-Cutting Concepts:
      Complex and microscopic structures and systems can be visualized, modeled, and used to describe how their function depends on the relationships among its parts, therefore complex natural structures / systems can be analyzed to determine how they function.

Two: How can we Examine DNA?

Students will be able to:

  • Extract DNA from common fruits / vegetables.
  • Length: 1 hour

    Objectives:
    Students will be able to:

    • Extract DNA from common fruits / vegetables.

    Next Generation Science Standards Addressed:

    • Disciplinary Core Ideas:
      1. LS1.B Growth and Development of Organisms
      2. LS3.A Inheritance of Traits
      3. LS3.B Variation of Traits
    • Practices:
      Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
    • Cross-Cutting Concepts:
      Complex and microscopic structures and systems can be visualized, modeled, and used to describe how their function depends on the relationships among its parts, therefore complex natural structures / systems can be analyzed to determine how they function.

Three: What is Selective Breeding?

Students will be able to:

  • Define selective breeding.
  • Describe how selective breeding changes a population over time.
  • Length: 1 hour

    Objectives:
    Students will be able to:

    • Define selective breeding.
    • Describe how selective breeding changes a population over time.

    Next Generation Science Standards Addressed:

    • Disciplinary Core Ideas:
       
      1. LS3.A Inheritance of Traits
      2. LS3.B Variation of Traits
    • Practices:
      Developing and Using Models
    • Cross-Cutting Concepts:
      Cause and Effect: Cause and effect relationships may be used to predict phenomena in natural systems.

    Common Core English Language Arts Standards Addressed:

    • Reading Standards for Literature 6-12: Craft and Structure, 4
    • Writing Standards 6-12: Production and Distribution, 4

Four: What is Biotechnology?

Students will be able to:

  • Define biotechnology.
  • Identify how biotechnology can help the environment.
  • Identify how biotechnology can improve our food supply.
  • Length: 1 hour

    Objectives:
    Students will be able to:

    • Identify specific ways biotechnology can improve food nutrition, safety and quality.
    • Identify specific ways biotechnology supports social, economic and environmental sustainability.
    • Identify specific ways biotechnology helps to meet the increasing needs of the world’s growing population.

    Next Generation Science Standards Addressed:

    • Disciplinary Core Ideas:
      1. LS3.A Inheritance of Traits
    • Practices:
      Engaging in an Argument From Evidence
    • Cross-Cutting Concepts:
      Cause and Effect: Cause and effect relationships may be used to predict phenomena in natural systems.

    National Standards for Art Education Addressed:

    • NA-VA.9-12.1 Understanding and Applying Media
    • Techniques and Processes

Five: How is Biotechnology Used?

Students will be able to:

  • Identify specific ways biotechnology can improve food nutrition, safety, and quality.
  • Identify specific ways biotechnology supports social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
  • Identify specific ways biotechnology helps to meet the increasing needs of the world’s growing population.
  • Length: 1 hour

    Objectives:
    Students will be able to:

    • Identify specific ways biotechnology can improve food nutrition, safety and quality.
    • Identify specific ways biotechnology supports social, economic and environmental sustainability.
    • Identify specific ways biotechnology helps to meet the increasing needs of the world’s growing population.

    Next Generation Science Standards Addressed:

    • Disciplinary Core Ideas:
      1. LS3.A Inheritance of Traits
    • Practices:
      Engaging in an Argument From Evidence
    • Cross-Cutting Concepts:
      Cause and Effect: Cause and effect relationships may be used to predict phenomena in natural systems.

    National Standards for Art Education Addressed:

    • NA-VA.9-12.1 Understanding and Applying Media
    • Techniques and Processes

Six: How do Researchers Compare Data?

Students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the gel electrophoresis process.
  • Length: 1 hour

    Objectives:
    Students will be able to:

    • Demonstrate knowledge of the gel electrophoresis process.

    Next Generation Science Standards Addressed:

    • Disciplinary Core Ideas:
      1. LS3.A Inheritance of Traits
      2. LS3.B Variation of Traits
    • Practices:
      Developing and Using Models
    • Cross-Cutting Concepts:
      Patterns: Observed patterns of forms and events guide organization and classification, and they prompt questions about relationships and the factors that influence them.

Seven: Where Would we be Without “GMOs”?

Students will be able to:

  • Describe how crops are genetically modified.
  • Length: 1 hour

    Objectives:
    Students will be able to:

    • Identify the primary components in a DNA structure.
    • Describe the role of DNA in trait inheritance.

    Next Generation Science Standards Addressed

    • Disciplinary Core Ideas:
      1. LS3.A Inheritance of Traits
      2. LS3.B Variation of Traits
    • Practices:
      • Asking Questions and Defining Problems
      • Constructing Explanations
    • Cross-Cutting Concepts:
      Cause and Effect: Cause and effect relationships may be used to predict phenomena in natural systems.

    Common Core English Language Arts Standards Addressed

    • Speaking and Listening Standards 6-12
    • Comprehension and Collaboration (1)

Eight: Where is Biotechnology Headed?

Students will be able to:

  • Compare and contrast gene editing and genetic engineering.
  • Length: 1 hour

    Objectives:
    Students will be able to:

    • Compare and contrast gene editing and genetic engineering

    Next Generation Science Standards Addressed:

    • Disciplinary Core Ideas:
      1. LS3.A Inheritance of Traits
      2. LS3.B Variation of Traits
    • Practices:
      • Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
    • Cross-Cutting Concepts:
      Patterns: Observed patterns of forms and events guide organization and classification, and they prompt questions about relationships and the factors that influence them.

    Common Core ELA Standards Addressed:

    • Writing Standards 6-12, Text Types and Purposes (2) Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts and information through selection, organization and analysis of relevant content.

Final Project

Students will be able to:

  • Distinguish between fact and opinion.
  • Use a credibility checklist tool to evaluate online media.
  • Analyze information gathered or provided and categorize it as fact or opinion.
  • Form an opinion on biotechnology, genetic engineering, and labeling foods from genetically engineered ingredients using the information gathered.
  • Write an essay expressing their opinions using correct form, grammar, and spelling.
- e d i t -

We rely on donations from people like you to continue creating ag literacy resources!