Glossary
Help students to create an ongoing glossary in their notes where they include paraphrased definitions for key terms. This can help them to develop their own personal understanding of the various terms presented to them in this unit, and can also help students combat the vocabulary-based misconceptions encountered in this unit.
Career Fair
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Allow each student to research a profession in biotechnology and give him or her the opportunity to display his or her research in a job fair environment. Other classes can be invited to the class for 20min each class to explore the different career options. Students can be evaluated by peers as well as by the teacher to see how well they succinctly convey the highlights of each job.
Current Events
Have students research, individually or in pairs, on of the many current event issues in biotechnology. Students should explore various local and national newspapers/magazines/documentaries and document public reaction to each occurrence. This allows students to witness the public perception of biotechnology as well as current applications
Guest Speaker
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By contacting local police departments, universities, or medical facilities, it is easy to locate someone in the field of biotechnology who you can ask to come into the class and speak for a period, linking biotechnology to the real world and helping students to better grasp the applications of the unit.
Graffiti
As a review, have students come up, one at a time, and write a different term on a piece of chart paper. Their goal is to make a graffiti wall. As they write the term, they have to explain to the class what the word means and why it’s important in the unit. http://www.bioteach.ubc.ca/TeachingResources/Applications/GMOpkgJKloseGLampard2.swf
Movie Review and Analysis
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Have students watch movies like Contagion or The Crazies to let them see how diseases vectors travel and can have widespread effects on a population. Have students then relate the movie to concepts taught in class by getting them to fill out a chart where in-class topics are supported with proof/evidence from them movie.
BioRad Workshop
Perform biotechnology labs in class. These labs could include gel electrophoresis labs, or DNA extraction labs. If materials are too expensive, complete the Strawberry DNA Extraction Lab with household materials. Have students complete the associated analysis questions.
strawberry_dna_lab.doc | |
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Murder Mystery Game
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Have students separate and analyze DNA fragments on paper to determine which suspect committed a murder. Students will need to determine and exclude the DNA of the victim and other witnesses found at the scene prior to conviction.