Following the sustainability unit, GPA Biology students transitioned into a study of genetics. First, we analyzed the sustainability issues faced by 3rd World Farmers (http://www.3rdworldfarmer.com/) and related those issues to those the students were reading about in their ELA classes. Then, we took that information and evaluated the potential of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) such as Bt corn to help in solving some of the farmer's challenges (nutrition, crop loss, pesticides). The students used the PBS interactive website, "Harvest of Fear" (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/harvest/engineer/transgen.html) to learn how GMOs are created and then they used a variety of media sources (including: http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.gen.btcorn/bt-corn/?utm_source=teachersdomain_redirect%2Fresource%2Ftdc02.sci.life.gen.btcorn%2Futm_medium%3Dteachersdomain%2Fresource%2Ftdc02.sci.life.gen.btcorn%2Futm_campaign%3Dtd_redirects) to compile information about Bt Corn versus unmodifed corn in order to develop a stance on the debate of whether or not to grow GM argricultural products in the US.
Students are currently taking or have taken a mini quiz on their introduction section of the Genetics unit. Next we will be going back to the basics of genetics and learning about genes, inheritance and traits.
Students are currently taking or have taken a mini quiz on their introduction section of the Genetics unit. Next we will be going back to the basics of genetics and learning about genes, inheritance and traits.