The Good, The Bad and The Bizarre

Discover the animal “gene pool lottery” that will produce good adaptations, bad traits, and bizarre appearances for wild animals. Students will model dominant and recessive traits with a chance to create an ultimate animal or be stuck with a bizarre organism. Students will be asked to critically discuss whether such mutations are harmful, beneficial, or neutral to their animal, as well as real life examples found right here on the marsh!

PROGRAM LENGTH: 4 hours, 9:30am- 1:30pm

PLEASE PREPARE YOUR STUDENTS

We have chosen one lesson for you to do with your students before you come, titled HUMAN GENETICS SURVEY so they will have the optimal experience when they are here. Please use it to prepare your students. Please teach the second lesson, titled A RECIPE FOR TRAITS & corresponding STUDENT GUIDE & MASTERS , within a week of completing your Coastal Education Program to expand on the material learned during The Good, The Bad and The Bizarre Program. There are many more resources for you and your students listed below as well!

PLAN OF THE DAY

Your students will be able to participate in The Good, The Bad and The Bizarre Lesson, a Docent-led Tour around the Living Coast to see birds, turtles and touch stingrays, complete a scavenger hunt and go for a hike or listen to a Read Aloud. Half of the day you will be with a Teacher or Docent and the other half of the day you will be leading your class through provided activities.

EXAMPLE SCHEDULE - Actual schedule may vary

Additional Resources

Below are other optional activities and resources related to The Good, The Bad and The Bizarre Program

Student Information:

Genetics Article

Gene Article

Mutation Article

Genetic Diversity Article

Endangered Species Article

Teacher Background:

Good, Bad & the Bizarre Outline

Genetics

Activities and Lessons:

Human Genetics Survey

A Recipe For Traits & Student Guide & Masters

Monster Lab

Monstrous Mutations

Games, Songs and Crafts:

Click and Clone Online Game

Standards:

NGSS

MS-LS3-1. Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism.
LS3.A. Genes are located in the chromosomes of cells, with each chromosome pair containing two variants of each of many distinct genes. Each distinct gene chiefly controls the production of specific proteins, which in turn affects the traits of the individual. Changes (mutations) to genes can result in changes to proteins, which can affect the structures and functions of the organism and thereby change traits.
LS3.B. In addition to variations that arise from sexual reproduction, genetic information can be altered because of mutations. Though rare, mutations may result in changes to the structure and function of proteins. Some changes are beneficial, others harmful, and some neutral to the organism.
MS-LS4-4. Construct and explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals' probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment.

Common Core

ELA-Literacy.

SL.6.1, SL.7.1, SL 8.1. Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6, grade 7 or grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
SL.6.2, SL7.2, SL 8.2. Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study.
L.6.6, L.7.6, L.8.6. Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.

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