Did you know that you can extract the DNA from strawberries with basic household items, like dish soap?
Or that otter poop has DNA that can be used to understand their populations?
The DNA world is exciting and all around us. In 4 steps, you'll learn how to help high school students learn about DNA structure!
Step 1. Become the DNA expert
Don't forget to review all the base-ics of DNA, such as:
DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid
It is made-up of bases, such as Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine,and Guanine
It gives instructions on how all living beings are built
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Like DNA's sugar-phosphate backbone, make sure to build your own foundation by:
Reviewing online lessons that you can apply to your class
Watching engagingvideos by biology teachers
Reading about DNA structure from an online textbook
Experimenting withday activitiesto determine what works for you
Did you know?
It's strongly recommended that you align all your class activities, experiments, and course curriculum with your school's regulations and compliance as stated in your country and/or state laws. ⚖️
Step 2. Try pairing a new activity with your lesson
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Complement your great lesson with one of the following:
Provide handoutsto reference throughout lessons
Share songs to introduce DNA concepts
Consider an outdoorkinesthetic activityto pair with your lesson
Try apractice quizon DNA structure and basics
View an online DNA modeltogether
Build low-costDNA modelsas a class activity
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Replicate real-life experiences by letting your class:
Volunteer as a citizen scientist on aZooniverse Research Project
View chromosome slideswith online or in-person microscopes
Perform DNA-related science experiments
Build digital literacy skills relevant to biology
Quiz
Ahmad (he/him) needs to teach about DNA high school freshman students. He doesn't have funds to buy class materials, but his classroom has laptops available and high-speed internet. What are some activities that he can use? Select all that apply.
Did you know?
A 2022 study in the Journal of Research in Science Education by Hafiza et al. found that there is a link between digital literacy and biology learning outcomes. Students with higher digital literacy skills performed better than students with relatively lower digital literacy.
Step 3. Encourage study tips that takes off pressure
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Be like a topoisomeraseenzyme and help relax supercoiled anxiety by:
Using mnemonicdevices, such as "Cars in the Garage" to show the base-pairing of Cytosine and Guanine and "Apples in the Trees" for Adenine and Thymine
Creating flashcards related to DNA
Sharing ways tostay focusedduring your info-packed lectures
Talking about how to manage anxietyduring exams
Making appropriate biology jokes that are memorable
Did you know?
The following are found to reduce test anxiety in students: learning how to study efficiently, asking clarifying questions about the exam procedure, providing assistance to those with disabilities, practicing relaxation techniques, and getting plenty of food, water, and sleep.
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Step 4. Show DNA examples
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DNA from otter poop can be used to map the population size and diversity of threatened species, such as the European Lutra lutra otter.
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Intense ultra violet (UV) radiation from light is known to stress plants out and damage their DNA, causing parts of the plants to grow out-of-the-norm.
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The first DNA vaccine was approved in India in August 2020,
Did you know?
Since it's launch in 1990, the Human Genome Project announced in 2003 one of the biggest accomplishments in science by generating the first blueprint "book" of the human DNA sequence ever.
Take Action
Help high school students learn about DNA structure by:
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