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The Central Dogma: Replication, Transcription, and Translation 5E Lesson

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Students will participate in a 5E lesson. To ENGAGE, students will connect their understanding of similarities between parent and offspring to the fundamental molecule of life: DNA. To EXPLORE, students will participate in interactives to observe, analyze and summarize how genes are used to create proteins and traits. In the EXPLAIN section, students will take notes on DNA replication and the Central Dogma. To ELABORATE on their understanding of DNA, students will participate in a protein synthesis race (game) to practice transcription and translation. Formative evaluations of students's ability to explain the process of protein synthesis include (1) a protein synthesis and codon practice sheet, (2) a labeling activity, and (3) making a recording that models and explain the process. As an extension, students can apply their understanding of mRNA to explain how the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines work. Finally, int summative EVALUATE, students model replication, transcription, and translation as they build an organism!

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Assessment, Homework/Assignment, Lecture Notes

Author: Mary Hill

The Homeostasis Challenge

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A simple assessment or question bank focused on helping students differentiate between the subtleties and functions of various cell types. These questions can be used in a variety of ways for a life science or biology classroom, e.g. as an assessment, a pre-test, or incorporated into a group activity or game.

Material Type: Assessment, Homework/Assignment

Author: Liz Ashby

Cellular Organelles

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In this unit, students will be given a chance to study and view different types of cells, compare and contrast the features of the major cell types, learn about the function of specialization and differentiation in multicellular organisms, and review/learn the major organelles that will become the foundation of later units.This module was developed by Liz Ashby as part of a Virginia Commonwealth University STEM initiative sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Authors: VCU STEM Project 2, VCU STEM Project 1, VCU STEM Project 3

DNA | Cooking Up Science with Miss America

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Learn about DNA. Deoxyribonucleic acid is the blueprint for all living things, but it is so small we can’t usually see it. The role of DNA is to provide our cells information on building proteins; these proteins lead to our individual traits such as eye color, height, dimples, and so much more. The structure of DNA is a double helix and we can model this structure at home. This model is based on the work of Rosalind Franklin, a British Chemist who created an X-ray photograph that provided evidence of the double-helix structure of DNA molecules. We can also extract DNA from a living thing, such as a strawberry, at home. The components of this DNA are so small that it does not look like our model; however, with technology scientists can both see the structure and manipulate the structure to change proteins in organisms. The key concepts and terms explored in this episode include DNA, nucleotides, genes, and genetically modified organisms (GMO's).

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson, Visual Media

Author: Trish Reed

Insane Membrane | Cooking Up Science with Miss America

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Learn about semipermeable membranes. If you put eggs and sand through a colander, would they both fall through? Probably not. Only the sand would actually pass through the holes of the colander because the eggs are too large. The colander acts as a semipermeable membrane, allowing some materials through but not others. Let's explore some other semipermeable membranes -like what surrounds our cells to help keep our bodies working and healthy. And eggs are like giant cells. They are a perfect thing to use to explore the science of semipermeable membranes, osmosis, and diffusion. We'll even experience a cool chemical reaction when we place an egg in vinegar. What do you think will happen when this chemical reaction is complete? Developed for grades 6-8 and correlated with Virginia Standards of Learning.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson, Visual Media

Author: Trish Reed

Design Your Own Experiment : a Health & Biology Interdisciplinary Learning Experience

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Design Your Own Experiment : a Health & Biology Interdisciplinary Learning Experience The Heart of Scientific Literacy: understanding scientific investigation & experimental design Purpose:The purpose of this activity is for you to explore the process of scientific investigation through a health lens.  You will consider ways in which data is collected to inform your health and well being.  You will create and carry out a valid experimental design in the fitness room or small gym.  Your experimental design must yield reliable data.  You will analyze the  data to make a claim and support it with evidence. In short, you will carry out a scientific investigation from start to finish to grow in scientific literacy and make informed decisions about your health. 

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Assessment

Authors: Bridget Mariano, Kristan Honaker

Hot Job: Investigate Illness as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist

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How do you track a disease? How do you determine if a blood sample contains a virus or a bacteria that could make millions of people sick? What type of information would you need to know to stop a disease from spreading? If you are interested in these questions then being an “Illness investigator” or a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) might be the right career path for you. 

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson, Lesson Plan, Visual Media

Authors: Trish Reed, Timothy Couillard, Allison Couillard

Career Research Project

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This is a virtual learning hyperdoc assignment that could be used in any course to address related careers and/or information literacy skills, though it was developed for use with 9th grade English classes.  If used in a state other than Virginia, the teacher would need to replace the resource Virginia Career View and related questions in phases 3 and 4, as well as in the “Learn More” box at the bottom.

Material Type: Interactive

Authors: Bridget Mariano, Jennifer Clements

Hot Jobs: Making Our Daily Vitamins Effective—And Tasty!

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Gummie vitamins have become a popular way to get a good dose of nutrients each day. Check out three “Hot Shots and Hot Jobs” involved in the development and design of gummie vitamins: Product Design Scientist, Confection Technologist, and Analytical Chemist.This visual media resource is designed for grades 6-12.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan, Visual Media

Authors: Trish Reed, Timothy Couillard, Allison Couillard

Easy Water Chemistry Lab/Demos

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These are simple ways to demonstrate water chemistry concepts such as adhesion, cohesion, and polarity to students in a hands on way using easy to find and inexpensive lab materials. The lesson was originally designed to align with a biology course to teach the impact of water on life, but it could also be modified to fit a chemistry or physical science curriculum.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Authors: Jean Weller, Liz Ashby, Holly Frye, Lindsey Layne, Corey Porter

Breaking Down Some Foamy Fun | Cooking Up Science with Miss America

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The foamy fun of "Elephant's Toothpaste," also known as the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, helped Camille Schrier win her job as Miss America 2020! In this episode, Camille re-creates this winning chemical reaction and teaches us all about the science of catalysts and decomposition. Explore questions such as: What is a catalyst? What does a catalyst do? Why do we need a catalyst to make "Elephant's Toothpaste"? It’s a HUGE, wonderful, foamy mess that's all powered by science! Developed for students in grades 6 - 10.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson, Visual Media

Author: Trish Reed

Let's Concentrate | Cooking Up Science with Miss America

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Learn about concentrations of solutions. If you brew tea or coffee for too long, it gets really strong, bitter, and dark. But if you add water, you can lessen its strength. So, when we talk about how strong our coffee is, we are really talking about CONCENTRATION. Like stirring a teaspoon of sugar into a cup of tea, solids can have a concentration in a liquid, but first, they need to be able to dissolve into a solution (solubility). But, is there a limit to how much of a solid the solution can take in? Through some sweet treats, you can eat, let's explore the scientific concepts of concentration, solubility, and supersaturated solutions. I promise you it's going to ROCK! Developed for students in grades 6-10.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson, Visual Media

Author: Trish Reed

Let's Link Up! Exploring Polymers | Cooking Up Science with Miss America

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Learn about polymers.  They are all around us. From the proteins we consume to the plastic cups we drink from, polymers dominate our lives and our earth. They package our snacks but can also pollute our oceans. But do you REALLY know what a polymer is? Join Camille Schrier, science lover and Miss America 2020, to explore the science of polymers by making some slimy sodium alginate worms, and biodegradable corn plastic that is good for the earth!!

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson, Visual Media

Author: Trish Reed

Fizzy Fun and Exploring Acid-Base Chemistry | Cooking Up Science with Miss America

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Do you think we can blow up a balloon using only ingredients from the pantry? Using simple, safe, at-home materials, we will explore the concepts of pH and acid-base chemistry and have some fizzy fun! With their signature gas-producing fizz, the acid-base reactions in this episode are both fun and functional. Not only will the reaction blow up a balloon, it also makes your bath bomb fizz in the tub. Join Miss America 2020 to cook up some science in your kitchen, and learn more about the chemistry of fizzy fun! Developed for students in grades 6- 10.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson, Visual Media

Author: Trish Reed

Oooey Gooey Fun | Cooking Up Science with Miss America

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Join biochemist and Miss America 2020, Camille Schrier, as she uses her kitchen as her laboratory. In this episode of Cooking Up Science with Miss America, we will explore the States of Matter. We know that substances can exist as different states of matter: solids, liquids, or gasses. But can some substances have the properties of more than one state of matter at the same time? Let's explore some oooey gooey Non-Newtonian fluids by making oobleck and slime and discover the science behind them. Developed for students in grades 6-10.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson, Visual Media

Author: Trish Reed

The Science of Cooking and Baking | Cooking Up Science with Miss America

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Learn about cooking and baking. They are really all about science. Using her kitchen as her laboratory, Camille Schrier, Miss America 2020, explores the power of food and the science of cooking. She dissects what happens when she's in the kitchen preparing two of her favorite foods- eggs and cookies. Join Miss America as she explores the biological building blocks of food and the molecular changes that happen when we cook. Developed for students in grades 6-10.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson, Visual Media

Author: Trish Reed

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