Dept. of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790-4120
These resources were compiled as part of an Independent Study project in science education conducted under the supervision of Prof. J. E. Armstrong. Project Completion: July 1993
The following entries are from books, journals, and microfiche and provide many ways in which simple, inexpensive laboratories may be run. Using the information provided below, you may locate the article and prepare an activity that has been shown to provide useful learning in the secondary classroom. It is the intention of this project to provide only resource and helpful citations to teachers interested in performing successful laboratories. These resources were compiled in preparation for student teaching, and having done the work, these citations are made available to teachers without access to ERIC and other educational databases, and to save others from having to make similar searches.
2> Students will recognize major patterns of variation and inheritance, and understand the biological significance of sexual reproduction.
3> Students will be able to list the main steps in the process of transcription, and the implications for development and metabolism.
4> Students will be able to describe directions for future genetic research.
AUTHORS: Thomas Atkins and Joyce Macfall Roderick.
American Biology Teacher, vol 53 n3 p164-9, March 1991.
ABSTRACT: This article presents a way in which students can become more familiar with the concepts of independent assortment, variation of traits, and unique phenotypes. The students begin by constructing a pedigree of traits. These genotypes are then written on pieces of paper simulating chromosomes. Students are married and thus begins the process of how offspring inherit traits from parents. The simulated chromosomes are randomly sorted (dropped from chest height to the floor). Chromosomes are taped back-to-back and the one landing face-up in the one that is passed on. Fertilization is illustrated by pairing of the 'couples' genes. The genotype and phenotype are determined for the child. This procedure works better than flipping a coin, etc. due to the fact that the chromosomes can be handled with the trait listed on them; this is less abstract than many commonly used exercises. The article includes data sheets, traits considered useful, and forms to be xeroxed and used for the chromosomes.
TITLE: Computer Simulation & Problem Solving in Genetics. 1986
DESCRIPTIVE NOTE: 14 p.; Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (70th, San Francisco, CA, April 16-20, 1986).
DOCUMENT TYPE: Reports - Research (143)
DESCRIPTORS: Foreign-Countries; Higher-Education; Misconceptions- ; Science-Education; Simulation-; Skill-Development
DESCRIPTORS: *College-Science; *Computer-Assisted-Instruction; *Genetics-; *Learning-Strategies; *Problem-Solving; *Science- Instruction
ABSTRACT: Problem solving is an essential skill in the study of genetics. Genetics problems have traditionally come from laboratory activities and textbook situations. Recently computer- based problems have been available to complement these standard sources. This report focusses on the use of computer-based problems in the study of genetics. Discriptions and comparisons of textbook, laboratory, and computer-based problems are stated and an explanation is given of how college students (N=68) performed in completing and understanding computer-based problem- solving tasks. Examples of problems involving dominance and linkage concepts are presented. The study results suggest that computer-based problems can encourage productive rather than reproductive thinking and thus facilitate meaningful rather than rote learning of genetic concepts. It is believed that this type of learning experience confronts student misconceptions, identifies inadequacies in student problem-solving skills, and provides a productive context in which students can develop and refine their skills. A 23-item list of references is appended.
TITLE: How-to-Do-it: Teaching Recombinant DNA Technology in High School Biology Courses. 1988 American-Biology-Teacher; v50 n6 p368-73 Sep 1988
DOCUMENT TYPE: Journal Articles (080); Reports- Descriptiove
DESCRIPTORS: Genetics-; Instructional-Improvement; Laboratory- Equipment; Laboratory-Procedures; Science-Activities; Science- Eduation; Secondary-Education; Technology-
DESCRIPTORS: *Biology-; *DNA-; *Experiential-Learning; *Laboratory-Experiments; *Science-and-Society; *Secondary-School-Science
ABSTRACT: Reports on the teaching or recombinant DNA technology in high school biology courses. Explains reactions of the public, students, and colleagues to the molecular genetics unit. Indicates equipment, curricular materials, training, workshops, and availability. (RT)
TITLE: Designing a A-Level Genetics Course: II sequencing the Material and Developing a Strategy for Teaching and Assessment. 1986 Journal-of-Biological-Education; v20 n2 p133-37 Sum 1986
DOCUMENT TYPE: Journal Articles (080); Reports- Descriptive
DESCRIPTORS: Instructionl-Improvement; Science-Education; Secondary-Education; Student-Evaluation
DESCRIPTORS: *Biolgy-; *Course-Description; *Genetics-; *Science-Instruction; *Secondary-School-Science; *Teaching- Methods
ABSTRACT: Presents aims and objectives for a genetics course and indicates potential difficulties in teaching this subject area. Offers methods for determining and dealing with these difficulties and outlines assessment strategies for the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor areas. (ML)
TITLE: Simple & Safe Genomic DNA Isolation. 1991 American-Biology-Teacher; v53 n7 p428-29 Oct 1991
DOCUMENT TYPE: Journal Articles; Guides -Classroom -Teacher
DESCRIPTORS: Biology-; Genetics-; Laboratory-Experiments; Science-Education; Secondary-Education; Teaching-Methods
DESCRITORS: *Animals-; *Bacteria-; *DNA-; *Laboratory- Procedures; *Science-Activies
ABSTRACT: A procedure for purifying DNA using either bacteria or rat using diphenylamine and a quantitative DNA assay using spectroscopy are included. (KR)
TI: Pupils' Meanings for 'Mutation'.
PY: 1988
JN: Journal-of-Biological-Education; v22 n3 p215-19 Fall 1988
DT: Journal Articles (080); Reports - Descriptive (141); Reports - Research (143)
DE: Biological-Sciences; Instructional-Improvement; Misconceptions-; Science-Instruction; Secondary-School-Science
DE: *Biology-; *Evolution-; *Foreign-Countries; *Genetics-; *Scientific-Concepts; *Teaching-Methods
AB: Reports on some potential teaching problems associated with children's scientific ideas about the concept of mutation. Provides information on the sample, methodology of study, and analysis. Concludes that in biology teaching the treatment of the concept must ensure that its genetic sense is specifically delineated. (RT)
TI: How-to-Do-It: Teaching Recombinant DNA Technology in High School Biology Courses.
PY: 1988
JN: American-Biology-Teacher; v50 n6 p368-73 Sep 1988
DT: Journal Articles (080); Reports - Descriptive (141)
DE: Genetics-; Instructional-Improvement; Laboratory-Equipment; Laboratory-Procedures; Science-Activities; Science-Education; Secondary-Education; Technology-
DE: *Biology-; *DNA-; *Experiential-Learning; *Laboratory- Experiments; *Science-and-Society; *Secondary-School-Science
AB: Reports on the teaching of recombinant DNA technology in high school biology courses. Explains reactions of the public, students, and colleagues to the molecular genetics unit. Indicates equipment, curricular materials, training, workshops, and availability. (RT)
TI: Designing an A-Level Genetics Course: II Sequencing the Material and Developing a Strategy for Teaching and Assessment.
PY: 1986
JN: Journal-of-Biological-Education; v20 n2 p133-37 Sum 1986
DT: Journal Articles (080); Reports - Descriptive (141)
DE: Instructional-Improvement; Science-Education; Secondary- Education; Student-Evaluation
DE: *Biology-; *Course-Descriptions; *Genetics-; *Science- Instruction; *Secondary-School-Science; *Teaching-Methods
AB: Presents aims and objectives for a genetics course and indicates potential difficulties in teaching this subject area. Offers methods for determining and dealing with these difficulties and outlines assessment strategies for the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor areas. (ML)
TI: Selection for Spontaneous "Escherichia coli" Streptomycin Mutants Using Basic Fuchsin.
PY: 1991
JN: American-Biology-Teacher; v53 n7 p430-31 Oct 1991
DT: Journal Articles (080); Guides - Classroom - Teacher (052)
DE: Biology-; Laboratory-Experiments; Laboratory-Procedures; Science-Education; Secondary-Education; Teaching-Methods DE: *Bacteria-; *Genetics-; *Science-Activities
AB: An exercise that uses a common bacterium, E. coli, in great numbers, to detect a demonstrable change in the ability of some cells to become resistant to the common antibiotic streptomycin is presented. The procedure for preparing and pouring the gradient antibiotic plates is provided. The advantages of using the Basic Fuchsin in the agar are listed. (KR)
TI: Simple & Safe Genomic DNA Isolation.
PY: 1991
JN: American-Biology-Teacher; v53 n7 p428-29 Oct 1991
DT: Journal Articles (080); Guides - Classroom - Teacher (052)
DE: Biology-; Genetics-; Laboratory-Experiments; Science- Education; Secondary-Education; Teaching-Methods
DE: *Animals-; *Bacteria-; *DNA-; *Laboratory-Procedures; *Science-Activities
AB: A procedure for purifying DNA using either bacteria or rat liver is presented. Directions for doing a qualitative DNA assay using diphenylamine and a quantitative DNA assay using spectroscopy are included. (KR)
TI: How-to-Do-It: Teaching Recombinant DNA Technology in High School Biology Courses.
PY: 1988
JN: American-Biology-Teacher; v50 n6 p368-73 Sep 1988
DT: Journal Articles (080); Reports - Descriptive (141)
DE: Genetics-; Instructional-Improvement; Laboratory-Equipment; Laboratory-Procedures; Science-Activities; Science-Education; Secondary-Education; Technology-
DE: *Biology-; *DNA-; *Experiential-Learning; *Laboratory- Experiments; *Science-and-Society; *Secondary-School-Science
AB: Reports on the teaching of recombinant DNA technology in high school biology courses. Explains reactions of the public, students, and colleagues to the molecular genetics unit. Indicates equipment, curricular materials, training, workshops, and availability. (RT)
TI: Bargain-Basement Electrophoresis.
PY: 1988
JN: Science-Teacher; v55 n7 p22-25 Oct 1988
DT: Journal Articles (080); Guides - Classroom - Teacher (052)
DE: Costs-; Science-Activities; Science-Education; Science- Experiments; Secondary-Education
DE: *Biology-; *Laboratory-Experiments; *Laboratory-Procedures; *Scientific-Concepts; *Secondary-School-Science
AB: Introduces a low-cost protein-testing technique using gel electrophoresis. Describes materials, manufacturing method, and experimental method. (YP)
TI: Ultraviolet Radiation Induction of Mutation in Penicillium Claviforme.
PY: 1986
JN: Journal-of-Biological-Education; v20 n3 p155-58 Aut 1986
DT: Journal Articles (080); Guides - Classroom - Teacher (052)
DE: Genetics-; Higher-Education; Laboratory-Experiments; Science- Education; Secondary-Education
DE: *Biology-; *College-Science; *Radiation-Biology; *Science- Experiments; *Science-Instruction; *Secondary-School-Science
AB: Cites reasons why Penicillium claviforme is an exceptionally good species for ultraviolet induced mutation experiments. Provides a set of laboratory instructions for teachers and students. Includes a discussion section. (ML)
TI: The Extraction and Partial Purification of Bacterial DNA as a Practical Exercise for GCE Advanced Level Students.
PY: 1986
JN: Journal-of-Biological-Education; v20 n1 p25-26 Spr 1986
DT: Journal Articles (080); Reports - Descriptive (141)
DE: Genetics-; Laboratory-Experiments; Secondary-Education
DE: *Biology-; *DNA-; *Science-Experiments; *Science-Instruction; *Secondary-School-Science
AB: Describes a relatively simple method of extraction and purification of bacterial DNA. This technique permits advanced secondary-level science students to obtain adequate amounts of DNA from very small pellets of bacteria and to observe some of its polymer properties. (ML)
TI: A Microbiology Experiment for Schools.
PY: 1981
JN: Journal-of-Biological-Education; v15 n2 p96-99 Sum 1981
DT: Journal Articles (080); Guides - General (050)
DE: Biochemistry-; Science-Education; Secondary-Education
DE: *Biology-; *Culturing-Techniques; *Laboratory-Experiments; *Microbiology-; *Science-Activities; *Secondary-School-Science
AB: Provided are directions for culturing bacteria by using yoghurt as a culture medium. Yoghurt is a safe medium and results in an end product which may be eaten if desired. (PB)
TI: A Safe Lab on Nerve Gases.
PY: 1988
JN: Science-Teacher; v55 n2 p27-30 Feb 1988
DT: Journal Articles (080); Guides - Classroom - Teacher (052)
DE: Biology-; Chemistry-; Controversial-Issues-Course-Content; Laboratory-Procedures; Laboratory-Safety; Science-Education; Secondary-Education; Teaching-Methods
DE: *Biochemistry-; *Enzymes-; *Laboratory-Experiments; *Physiology-; *Science-Activities; *Secondary-School-Science
AB: Describes an experiment involving pineapples and gelatin that allows students to investigate the conditions that typically render an enzyme functionless, similar to the effect of nerve gasses. Discusses the materials, procedures, and results, drawing analogies to the effects of a nerve gas. (CW)