Introduction
In this overview of genetics, you will meet an unlikely set of twins that will help you uncover why we are the way we are. This recipe for us is the focus of our new unit. At the end of this WebQuest, you will have a beginning understanding of how genetics works.
Task
Task 1: Genetic Traits Self-Discovery
In this task, you will need a mirror and the link below to see which genetic traits you have.
Task 2: Unit Pre-Assessment
Take an early attempt at this practice benchmark. Be sure to share it with your core teacher for evaluation. What do you notice? What do you wonder? What do you already know?
Task 3: Video Observation
Watch the video below about the twins in the practice benchmark. Write your noticings and wonderings in your journal.
Task 4: What is genetics?
Watch the videos below and take notes in your journals.
Be sure to be able to answer:
1. What did Gregor Mendel notice when he bred the peas?
2. What is a trait?
3. What is a recessive trait? What is a dominant trait?
4. What does a Punnet Square show?
5. Where do we get our traits from?
6. What is DNA?
7. What is a chromosome? How many do humans have in most cells? How many are found in sex cells (eggs or sperm)?
Task 4: Learn on your own!
At this point, you probably have LOTS of questions. Time to go your own way. Check out this bank of videos and resources to learn more about ALL KINDS OF THINGS! Pick one to focus on and make a 3-5 slide presentation to share with the rest of the class to show what you have learned.
Process
Now that you have a general idea of genetics, we are going to launch into a deeper dive, using Pigeonetics to breed pigeons online and learn more about dominant and recessive genes.
Student Worksheet
https://teach.genetics.utah.edu/content/pigeons/Pigeon-Genetics-Worksheet_interactive.pdf
Evaluation
In this WebQuest, you will be evaluated on your journal responses to the guiding questions, as well as the quality of your Google Slides presentation on your topic of interest.
Conclusion
That's all for our WebQuest! Be sure to check in with me when you have finished so we can evaluate your notes together.