Part of a site on genetics, this page explores DNA as a forensic science. Explains how and why DNA can be used to convict or acquit a criminal from wrongdoing using forensic DNA analysis. Teacher resources too.

Videos, interactive activities, and articles explaining the influences that cause parts of the genome to be turned on and off. Learn how nutrition, behavior, stress and other factors determine gene expression.

This website offers a clear definition of the science of Genetics, highlighting DNA and genes. There is a neat, easy-to-understand animated tour of the basics and an opportunity to go inside an animated cell. Student can build a DNA molecule and discover how proteins function. Teachers and students alike will enjoy "What Makes a Firefly Glow?" Among others, there is a student activity based on using DNA to solve a mystery of stolen artifacts. The great teacher resources supply guides and suggest classroom activities. All in all, this is a useful site whose simple interactive graphics provide a fun and easy way to learn the difficult subject of DNA.

Get it all straight! The "Tour of the Basics" will help clarify the basic principals of genetics science from DNA, genes, chromosomes, proteins, heredity, and traits.

Genes are instruction manuals for our bodies and are contained in DNA. This video describes how genes make us unique.

This video segment from the Secret of Life School Video: "On the Brink: Portraits of Modern Science" explores the genetics of breast cancer. [3:40]

How can you tell different animals of the same species apart? This activity is designed to start your students in recognizing themselves as scientists and thinking critically about problem-solving. The goal is to teach concepts through discovery and to encourage using scientific thought processes. As with all lessons provided, please feel free to adapt them according to your students’ abilities. You may find it more successful to lead activities and discussions as a whole group rather than using individual Research Plan sheets. Certain scientific vocabulary may or may not be appropriate for your students’ level of understanding. Take these ideas, make them your own and your students will have a greater chance at success.

In this video profile adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, learn about geneticist and rock musician Pardis Sabeti, whose innovative insights into natural selection demonstrated how beneficial mutations spread quickly through a population. [5:04]

How difficult or easy would it be for a Zoo to choose which animals to breed? This activity is designed to build confidence in your students recognizing themselves as scientists and thinking critically about problem-solving. The goal is to teach concepts through discovery and to encourage using scientific thought processes. As with all lessons provided, please feel free to adapt them according to your students’ abilities. You may find it more successful to lead activities and discussions as a whole group as opposed to having your students’ work in small groups. Certain scientific vocabulary may or may not be appropriate for your students’ level of understanding. Take these ideas, make them your own and your students will have a greater chance at success.

The Geniverse software is being developed as part of a five-year research project funded by the National Science Foundation. Still in its early stages, a Beta version of the software is currently being piloted in six schools throughout New England. We invite you to try the current Beta version, keeping in mind that you may encounter errors or pages that are not fully functional. If you encounter any problem, it may help to refresh or reload the web page.

There is a lot of resistance to genetic modification and the use of genetically modified crops. What is the science? This unit helps to provide some background in cell function and DNA properties, helping students to understand how genetic modification can make a difference. The developments in biotechnology are highlighted and students create a marketing campaign for GMO’s. This unit features 6 lessons and 7 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Do your students struggle to understand the “central dogma” of biology? Are you looking for innovative teaching techniques? This unit is an integrated art and science project to teach transcription and translation, which is also known as “central dogma”. This process explains how sequences of DNA are interpreted by organelles in the cell and are expressed as specific proteins. It is a core idea in understanding molecular genetics. Students will create a three-paneled work of art that models the process of transcription and translation. Explicit instructions make this unit accessible to science teachers. This unit features 4 lessons and 15 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

You may have heard about Colony Collapse Disorder, a syndrome likely caused by multiple factors that results in the deaths of many honeybee colonies. Become a diagnostic researcher and use bioinformatic tools to discover some of the pathogens that may be responsible. This unit features 3 lessons and 7 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

There is a lot of misinformation about what a GMO is and what foods are genetically modified. Use this unit as a review or a compelling way to engage students in the topic of GMOs using a “breakout,” an innovative science teaching and entertainment platform. This unit features 3 lessons and 8 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

This unit leads students through the process of setting up gel electrophoresis chambers, understanding the mechanics, and experimenting with various aspects of running gels. This unit features 3 lessons and 13 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

An introduction to genetic engineering through hands-on and modeling activities that illustrate concepts, which will scaffold student understanding for lab activities to follow, especially focused on the use of bacteria. This unit features 5 lessons and 14 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

A lot of questions surround definitions of genetic modification. This unit models two different techniques of genetic modification and tries to help students understand the terms and the consequences of human intervention in food production. This unit features 3 lessons and 6 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Have you ever done a DNA extraction? Most DNA extractions are done with a known source and students can visualize DNA. The favorite items are strawberries or students’ own cheek cells. This unit shows what biotech scientists do next. This unit features 2 lessons and 3 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

In this simulation the learner will design a sequence of experiments to
generate a coronavirus vaccine.

This narrated animation from Interactive NOVA: "The Secret of Life" illustrates DNA replication.