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NGSS & Common Core 5E Lesson Plan
NGSS & Common Core 5E Lesson Plan
NGSS & Common Core 5E Lesson Plan
Grade:
9-12
Brief Lesson Description: Students will observe how they can use a biosensor to determine
their resilience to stress and how epigenetic factors can influence gene expression.
Performance Expectation(s): HS-LS3-2. Make and defend a claim based on evidence that
inheritable genetic variations may result from: (1) new genetic combinations through meiosis,
(2) viable errors occurring during replication, and/or (3) mutations caused by environmental
factors.
Specific Learning Objectives:
Students will determine the effects of epigenetic factors on gene expression by
engaging in the Lick your Rats simulation.
Students will monitor, record, and graph heart rate data using a biosensor.
Prior Student Knowledge:
DNA/chromosome structure
Central dogma: DNARNAproteintrait (transcription & translation)
ELA/Literacy RST.11Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to
12.1
important distinctions the author makes and to any gaps or inconsistencies in the
account. (HS-LS3-2)
WHST.9Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content. (HS-LS3-2)
12.1
Mathematics MP.2
Reason abstractly and quantitatively. (HS-LS3-2)
In sexual reproduction,
chromosomes can sometimes
swap sections during the process
of meiosis (cell division), thereby
creating new genetic
combinations and thus more
genetic variation. Although DNA
replication is tightly regulated and
remarkably accurate, errors do
occur and result in mutations,
which are also a source of genetic
variation. Environmental factors
can also cause mutations in
genes, and viable mutations are
inherited.
Crosscutting Concepts:
Cause and Effect
Possible Preconceptions/Misconceptions:
People are born a certain way, with behavioral and personality traits that cannot be changed.
Its in our genes
Stress always produces negative effects on the body.
Lifestyle choices that we make can affect our health (heart disease, cancer), but not our genome.
Student does
ENGAGE:
ENGAGE:
Day 1:
Partner reflectionhow do our experiences,
environmental exposures affect our genes?
Epigenetics in NOVA Science (Neil De Grasse Tyson
epigenetics video--13mins)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4boKud1MRk
LearnGenetics: Lick Your Rats
Vocabulary:
Epigenetics
genome
methyl tag
fight or flight response
cortisol
Day 2:
EXPLAIN:
Concepts Explained:
EXPLORE: Day 2
EXPLAIN:
ELABORATE: Day 3
Applications and Extensions:
Lets say a recruiting agency is using
physiological profiling on a person to
predict stress resilience. Would it be
ethical to select a person based on a
genetic (DNA) marker to detect stress
resilience?
What types of environmental stimuli
might you be exposed to in your own
daily life that might help you to
develop greater stress resilience?
EVALUATE:
ELABORATE: Day 3
EVALUATE:
Materials Needed:
Heart rate finger probes (1 per partner group)
Graph paper
Blood pressure monitors
Optional:
Vernier EKG probes
Resources: