This guide is designed to foster an understanding of the basic concepts underlying biotechnology through simple activities that are fun and creative for students in grades 3-5. It contains four units that will lead young students to an appreciation of how biotechnology is possible and some of its applications. The process of learning is intended…

Describes how to construct a model of a DNA molecule with inexpensive materials. (BR)

Nine questions are presented for student discussions relating to genetics, evolution, and racial characteristics. A brief introductory discussion of these topics are presented, as well. (BB)

Presents an activity in which students develop a handy strategy for exploring probability as applied in the life sciences by learning to use the Punnett square, an effective tool that helps students visualize sample spaces and determine the likelihood of events. (ASK)

Reported is a technique for chromosome staining that is simple, rapid, inexpensive, and requires little skill for success. (PB)

Described is an exercise which uses inexpensive and easy-to-make materials to demonstrate the basic fundamentals of heredity. Discusses two approaches using a hypothetical insert to demonstrate inheritance, mitosis, meiosis, and genotypic and phenotypic frequencies. (CW)

Describes a game that illustrates the principles of population genetics and helps explain the occurrence of evolution through changes in gene frequencies. Demonstrates the importance of genetic variability in evolution: winning is achieved by a player's species becoming "completely heterozygous" for six characteristics. Players move directed by…

Discussed are problems revealed in student responses to a practical task which formed part of an advanced level examination. The frequencies with which some misconceptions about cell reproduction and genetics occurred are presented. The nature of these misconceptions is analyzed and their implications discussed. (CW)

Described is an investigation of the contributions of genes and environment to a quantitative character using readily available varieties of dwarf beans. Included are a list of materials, typical results, and a student instruction sheet. (CW)

Describes materials and techniques suitable for class fieldwork on the ecology of the cyanogenesis polymorphism of white clover. Details of a school trial are presented and discussed. (Author/EB)

Reviews a fictitious case study used as a values-clarifying teaching strategy for students of human genetics and bioethics. (SL)

Presented is a hand model which can be used to compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis. Features and procedures of the technique are detailed. Limitations of the models are discussed. (CW)

The porphyrias are a family of genetic disorders whose genetics and biochemistry are largely identified. Background information on these diseases are discussed including porphyrins, gene expression, population genetics, and historical significance. (CW)

Presented is a study in which students' intellectual reasoning development was evaluated following instruction that emphasized formal operations in a traditional lecture format. Results indicated that formal-operational students had significantly more success in the three reasoning areas than transitional students and transitional students had…

Prescriptions for improving student understanding and problem-solving performance related to transmission genetics are discussed. Research on novice/expert problem-solving in transmission genetics is reviewed. (Author/CW)