Human Genetics
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Project Name:

Human Genetics

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URL:

http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/genproj/

Project Leader:

Greg Bartus: gbartus@stevens.edu

Description:

    The purpose of this project is for students to discover if dominant human genetic traits are as prevalent in nature as recessive traits. Students collect data on dominant human genetic traits in their class, school or community.  The data is then shared with students around the world and then analyzed as a class.
    The site is well organized clearly explaining the objectives and 4 activities for this project. In addition to the lessons for the activities, there are optional activities provided in the teacher area as well as a pre-test and a post-test.  The participants are offered an expert to ask advise, additional reference materials and student examples from previous years.

Fee:

None

Targeted Age:

Grades 6 - 12

Exceeds a Traditional Lesson:

Students can complete a similar lesson in their own class, school or community and analyze the results.  However, many schools and communities lack diversity, which will limit the students data to one type of ethnicity.  Completing this project collaboratively will expand the amount and diversity of their data allowing them to make conclusions that are more accurate.   

Duration:

8 weeks

Technical Needs:

Computer with Internet access and a program such as Excel®, Adobe, ClarisWorks, to view student worksheets.

Math Standards Met:

Below are the MSDE Middle School Math Standards met by Human Genetics:

 Standard 3.0 Knowledge of Measurement:
    C. Applications in Measurement (6th, 7th, 8th)
        2. Analyze measurement relationships (7th, 8th)

Standard 4.0 Knowledge of Statistics:
    A. Data Displays (6th, 7th, 8th)
        1. Organize and display data
    B. Data Analysis (6th, 7th, 8th)
        1. Analyze data (6th, 7th, 8th)
        2. Describe a set of data (6th, 7th)

Standard 6.0 Knowledge of Number Relationships and Computation/Arithmetic:
    C. Number Computation (6th, 7th, 8th)
        1. Analyze number relations and compute
        2. Estimation
        3. Analyze ratios, proportions, and percents

Standard 7.0 Processes of Mathematics:
    A. Problem Solving (6th, 7th, 8th)
        1. Apply a variety of concepts, processes, and skills to solve problems
    B. Reasoning (6th, 7th, 8th)
        1. Justify ideas or solutions with mathematical concepts or proofs
    C. Communications (6th, 7th, 8th)
        1. Present mathematical ideas using words, symbols, visual displays, or technology
    D. Connections (6th, 7th, 8th)
        1. Relate or apply mathematics within the discipline, to other disciplines, and to life

Science Standards Met:

Below are the MSDE Middle School Science Standards met by Human Genetics:

Standard 1.0 Skills and Processes:
    A. Constructing Knowledge (6th, 7th, 8th)
        1. Design, analyze, or carry out simple investigations and formulate appropriate conclusions based on data obtained or provided.
        B. Applying Evidence and Reasoning (6th, 7th, 8th)
        1. Review data from a simple experiment, summarize the data, and construct a logical argument about the cause-and-effect relationships in the                     experiment.
    C. Communicating Scientific Information (6th, 7th, 8th)
        1. Develop explanations that explicitly link data from investigations conducted, selected readings and, when appropriate, contributions from historical     discoveries.

Standard 3.0 Life Science:
    A. Diversity of Life (7th)
        1. Compile evidence to verify the claim of biologists that the features of organisms connect or differentiate them-these include external and internal             structures (features) and processes.
    C. Genetics (7th)
        1. Explain the ways that genetic information is passed from parent to offspring in different organisms.

Recommended:

    The mathematics that is involved in this project is not difficult. Most students enter middle school with these skills; on the other hand, the scientific knowledge that is necessary for this project is more involved. This project should not be carried out in a mathematics classroom because of the amount of time the math teacher would have to take out of their curriculum to review the concepts.  This project would be most appropriate for a 7th grade science class that has already studied genetics.