Lesson+10

Grade Level:  10 or 12

Unit: AP Biology or Biology II

Lesson Objectives (include 4 or 5): Student will understand  Student will be able to 
 * That understanding of DNA and cell structure has allowed us to put them to work for the benefit of our species.
 * The variety of applications using biotechnology (criminology, agriculture, medicine, etc.)
 * That biotechnology has the potential for significant growth as a career field in the near future.
 * Gain information about a possible career in biotechnology if they desire such a career.

Time Required to complete this lesson:  2 to 3 weeks

Title of lesson: Biotechnology research paper.

Description of lesson (if you were to describe to a parent what was happening in the classroom for this lesson, what would you say in 3-5 sentences).  This assignment is designed for advanced biology students who are considering a biology college major and/or a career in biology. Students will complete a research paper or a Power Point presentation describing a specific application of biotechnology (such as DNA fingerprinting, stem cell research, or crop plant breeding). The research paper should be typed and about 5 doubled-spaced pages long. The Power Point presentation should consist of about 10 slides. The paper or presentation should have at least 4 information sources and these must be listed in a reference section and properly cited. Information sources can be books, articles, Web sites, videos, or interviews.

Assignment (homework or in-class: this is how the learner will practice the learning that has just occurred):  The research paper or Power Point presentation described above.

Resources/materials needed:  Word processing and Power Point software; World Wide Web for some research material. A description of this assignment and links to online articles on biotechnology that students can use for information appear on Tumblr.com and can be accessed via a link on the Teaching with Technology page. Just below this link is a Shelfari bookshelf with descriptions of books that can be used for the Research Project. A short video describing stem cell research appears on the Top 11 Science Videos playlist accessible from a link on the Science Theater page.

Technology used:  As described above.

The technology used in this lesson changes the teaching / learning in this way: The World Wide Web is an easily accessible source of reference material and the Tumblog describing this assignment. Power Point allows students to present their research easily to the rest of the class. The stem cell video can be accessed from any computer.