DNA Manipulation and GMOs - 7 Lab Station Activities

About this resource

What's inside this resource

Students rotate through nine numbered lab stations — seven active tasks plus two rest stations for catching up — that build a full class period around genetic engineering and GMOs. Station 1 has students design an original genetically modified organism and justify its traits; Station 2 sends them researching the legal and ethical questions around genetic engineering, gene-therapy-treatable disorders, and the Human Genome Project; Station 5 pairs a reading on Bt crops and glyphosate-resistant crops with six comprehension questions; and Station 7 uses a linked video, accessible by URL or QR code, to teach transgenesis and its human and agricultural implications. A five-question multiple-choice knowledge check and a final station where each group writes its own original multiple-choice, true/false, and short-answer questions close out the rotation. Every group records its answers to all stations in a shared "Lab Station Passport," and full answer keys are provided for the reading, video, research, and knowledge-check components.

Product description

From the author

This resource presents an innovative approach to learning, specifically developed for educators teaching science disciplines like Biology to grades 9 through 12. This engaging lab station activity offers multi-modal learning experiences with a focus on genetic engineering aspects such as Transgenic Organisms, Knockout Mice, Cloning, and topics related stem medicine like Pharmaceutical Uses of genetics.

Actively Engaging Learning Techniques

The easy-to-use DNA Manipulation and GMO lab station activities direct students around the multiple stations where they can demonstrate their knowledge in diverse ways. From delivering written opinions or answering questions based on videos/readings to drawing diagrams or models - the opportunities for creative student engagement are plentiful.

Exploring All Corners of GMO Universe

Exploring bacteria plasmids
Investigating biopharming methods
Familiarizing with knockout mice and cloning techniques
Understanding links between genetic development and diabetes

The resource includes detailed instruction cards at each station along with certain questions that students should answer during their exploration process. To keep track of their journey through each instructional module, students use a recording (passport) sheet.

Ease for Educators: Ready-to-use setup & Easy Grading Efforts

An answer key is provided whenever relevant which eases grading efforts. Moreover, bonus educational activities such as word scramble or word search are included to keep learners engaged during idle time.

'; 'Get Hands-On', 'Research', 'Explain Yourself'- structured learning segments offer novel approaches towards knowledge application while rest stations ensure students are not overwhelmed. In conclusion, DNA Manipulation and GMO - 7 Lab Station Activities effectively blend multiple avenues of learning and assessment techniques into an enjoyable educational endeavor. Suitable for both homeschooling or public school setting, in-depth individual study or interactive group work- this science resource explores complex topics interestingly while offering learners a break from traditional teaching methods.

In the classroom

Teaching tips & learning objectives

Learning objectives

Explain how Bt crops and glyphosate-resistant crops are genetically engineered and evaluate their environmental trade-offs.
Research and discuss the legal and ethical considerations of genetic engineering, including at least two human disorders treatable with gene therapy.
Define key genetic-engineering terms such as transgenesis and transformation, and identify Dolly as the first cloned animal.

Teaching tips

Print each station's supporting document (Applicability Reading, Learn From The Expert, Test Your Knowledge) and place it with its matching station card before class, as the teacher instruction sheet specifies.
Organize students into 9 groups so two groups start at the rest stations, ensuring every group has a station to begin at immediately.
Have the rest-station groups use their downtime to review their passport and preview upcoming stations, as the instructions suggest.

Skills covered

Genetic-engineering vocabulary and reasoning — students learn terms like transgenesis, Bt crops, and glyphosate resistance and apply them in written and multiple-choice questions.
Independent research — students use a search engine to investigate legal and ethical issues in genetic engineering and disorders treatable with gene therapy.
Argumentative and reflective writing — students write a paragraph opinion on the future of genetic engineering and human cloning.

Good to know

Questions teachers ask about this resource

How many groups does the lab need, and what happens if the class is smaller?

The setup calls for 9 groups, one per station, with 2 groups starting at the rest stations; the teacher instruction sheet also offers guidance for running the lab with a smaller class.

What happens at Station 9, 'Become the Question Master'?

Each group writes 2 original multiple-choice questions, 2 true/false questions, and 1 short-answer question about DNA manipulation and GMOs, supplying their own answers and avoiding any question already used elsewhere in the lab.