Genetics Teacher Resources

Each of us is made of the 46 chromosomes provided by our parents in the first frenzied days of cell division and development. But how do those microscopic alleles determine our sex and physical attributes?

Middle and high schoolers can learn more about allele pairing and genetic traits with a series of exercises. For further instruction, a worksheet on sex determination is perfect for homework or independent practice.

Show biology classes a video that details the work of Gregor Mendel and the impact of Mendelian genetics, or bring in a lab that illustrates genetic probability with candy.

While the study of genetics can lead to life-saving scientific developments, its history is not always so altruistic. Create an interdisciplinary unit with a history class studying World War by examining the sadistic work of Josef Mengele, and the role of genetics in the Nazis’ pursuit of a “master race.”

Our teacher-reviewed resources are the perfect fit for any classroom curriculum. Check out the search results for even more instruction opportunities!

Showing 2,129 resources
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12 Items in Topic
Lesson Planet Curated

Crash Course: Ecology

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
Viewers take a Crash Course in Ecology with a 12-video collection that takes a look at where organisms come from, how they interact, and how they influence their environments. The videos, appropriate for in class or remote learning, use...
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8 Items in Unit
Lesson Planet Curated

TeachEngineering: Engineering Nature - DNA Visualization and Manipulation

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Two lessons teach young biomedical engineers and biologists how it is possible to visualize complex biomolecule structures. In the first lesson, scholars research specific imaging technologies, and in the second, they learn about...
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Lesson Plan
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Personal Genetics Education Project

Direct-to-consumer Genetic Testing

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
If you knew that you were likely to develop Alzheimer's disease in your future, how would it affect your life in the meantime? This and other similar thought-provoking questions are discussed in a lesson plan about the availability of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Trace simple genetic patterns of inheritance through a small population. Your high schoolers create a family pedigree that traces a genetic condition through several generations.
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Instructional Video16:04
Curated OER

Mendelian Genetics and Inheritance

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Introduce your biologists to Gregor Mendel, the man responsible for Mendelian genetics. The resource explains the experiment that made him famous and sparked interest in genetics everywhere. Also take a closer look at Huntington's...
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Instructional Video1:52
Curated OER

Genetics 101 Part 2: What are SNPs?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
If humans share over 99% of the same chromosomes, how are we different? There are 10 million SNPs in the human genome, accounting for most of our genetic differences. Watch this short clip to introduce your learners to SNPs, or single...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating Genetic Counselor Pamphlets

For Teachers 8th
The information included here will guide your students to research a particular genetic disorder and then work in groups to create a pamphlet about the disorder from a genetic counselor's point of view.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tracing Genetic Ancestry Using DNA Microarrays

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High school learners read and discuss an article about genetic ancestry and genetic ancestry testing. They complete a paper and pencil activity that mimics the function of a DNA microarray and consider the ethics of genetic testing in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetic Testing: Road Map or Crystal Ball?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
After looking at the many aspects of the issues behind genetic testing, high schoolers are exposed to the pros and cons and must take a stand by writing a position paper. They will view the "Who Gets to Know?" video and/or reading case...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Probabilities of Problems: A Look at Genetic Inheritance

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Discuss an article about families affected by genetic disorders and their decisions about whether or not to evaluate their own genetic information. Investigate four different inherited disorders. Participate in a probability exercise....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetics

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Become familiar with the basic concepts of inheritance. Your junior high students work through mulitple examples of crosses and calculate probabilities of trait occurance. The explain the concept that each parent contributes one half of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetic Engineering

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students identify relationships between scientific concepts and their historical roots. They discuss and debate issues of ethics in science, specifically on the concept of genetic engineering and describe the processes of cloning and...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Genetic Variation Worksheet

For Students 9th - 12th
Fill- in-the-blank, labeling, and short answer questions make up this well-written cell division worksheet. Neat diagrams of chromosomes and dividing cells are included. Junior biologists show what they know about reproduction, meiosis,...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Dragon Genetics ~ Independent Assortment and Genetic Linkage

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
Imagine a pair of dragons that produce offspring. What percentage of the hatchlings have wings and large antlers? An engaging activity draws genetics learners in, introduces them to alleles, meiosis, phenotypes, genotypes, and teaches...
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Unit Plan
New York City Department of Education

Grade 8 Science: Genetic Modification of Organisms

For Teachers 8th Standards
Genetic modification is a hot topic in the science and political world. A complete unit gives learners an opportunity to research genetic modification, play an interactive genetic engineering simulation, and interact with the information...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetics Survey Project

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Complete a survey on genetics and the mechanics of heredity.and review the list of human traits observed. Practice interviews are conducted with each other so that noone feels unconformable if they don't have one trait or another. One...
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Instructional Video7:19
Curated OER

Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey, Part 12 of 13

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Part 12 starts with the Navajo story of creation and the journey of the ancient ancestors. Spencer argues the facts of this story with his genetic evidence. This episode recaps the journey thus far and attempts to describe the difference...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Were the babies switched? – The Genetics of Blood Types

For Students 9th - 12th
Human biology or genetics learners apply their knowledge to a unique situation: two newborn baby girls being possibly switched in the hospital. The engaging activity ends with a Punnett squares assignment in which pupils evaluate whether...
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Instructional Video10:35
Bozeman Science

Probability in Genetics

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Pupils learn how to use the rule of multiplication in genetics. The instructor shares some sample problems and shows viewers how to arrive at the correct answer. They then learn how to apply the rule of addition to genetics as well,...
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Website
American Museum of Natural History

What's the Big Idea About Genetics?

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Here's a quick read on genetics. An engaging online resource provides six slides of information about genetics. Learners read about the meaning of genetics to information about DNA. They also learn about the study of genes and the...
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Worksheet
Serendip

Genetics

For Students 7th - Higher Ed
A handout on genetic inheritance begins with a reading on alleles and how they can result in albinism. Junior geneticists learn to complete Punnett squares and participate in a coin toss simulation of allele pairing. They also learn...
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Instructional Video9:58
Curated OER

Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey, Part 5 of 13

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Part five of the 13-part series begins with a refutable argument stating that genetically, the ancient people of Australia were populated by the first African ancestors. Spencer Wells travels to India to find the link that bridges...
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Instructional Video11:47
Crash Course

Changing the Blueprints of Life - Genetic Engineering: Crash Course Engineering #38

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
A presentation of how engineering based in making something better led to engineering genetics. Scholars learn that genetic engineering began by selectively breeding plants that had specific characteristics to improve them. The video...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetics

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Comprehend that many human characteristics-all physical traits and possibly many personality traits-are determined by our genetic makeup. These activities demonstate that all physical traits are genetically determined, some evidence...

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