Created byAmy Volentine
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Genetic Giants: Exploring Growth Influences in Organisms
Grade 10Science3 days
In 'Genetic Giants,' 10th-grade students explore the influence of genetics and environment on organism growth through interactive simulations and data collection. The project encourages students to engage in hands-on activities in a simulated 'Genetic Marketplace' and analyze real-world data to construct scientific explanations about growth patterns. By examining genetic and environmental factors, students develop a deeper understanding of how these factors interplay to affect organism growth, aligning with standards MS-LS1-5 and HS-LS3-3.GeneticsEnvironmentData AnalysisOrganism GrowthScientific ExplanationReal-world DataSimulation
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Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we analyze and interpret the roles of genetics and environment in influencing the growth patterns of various organisms, and construct scientific explanations based on real-world data?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How do genetics play a role in the growth patterns of different organisms?
- What environmental factors can affect the growth of organisms, and how do they interact with genetic factors?
- In what ways can we collect and analyze data to understand the influence of genetics and environment on growth?
- How do examples from real life demonstrate the impact of genetic and environmental factors on growth?
- How can scientific explanations be constructed to discuss differences in growth among organisms due to varied genetic and environmental influences?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand how genetics influence the growth patterns of different organisms.
- Analyze the interaction between genetic and environmental factors affecting organism growth.
- Collect and interpret real-world data to evaluate growth patterns in organisms.
- Construct scientific explanations based on evidence gathered from experiments and observations.
- Discuss real-life examples of how genetic and environmental factors impact growth in various organisms.
Next Generation Science Standards
MS-LS1-5
Primary
Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.Reason: The project focuses on the influence of genetic and environmental factors on organism growth, directly aligning with the standard's requirement to construct explanations based on evidence.
HS-LS3-3
Secondary
Apply concepts of statistics and probability to explain the variation and distribution of expressed traits in a population.Reason: This standard is relevant as the project may involve statistical analysis of growth patterns influenced by genetic and environmental factors, supporting the investigation of trait variation.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsThe Genetic Marketplace
Students enter a transformed classroom into a bustling 'Genetic Marketplace' where various vendors are selling plants and animals with unique growth attributes. Each vendor presents challenges to understand the genetic and environmental influences on their products and offers a hands-on experience to simulate and predict these influences.📚
Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Activity 1
Genetic and Environmental Influence Investigation
Students will investigate the roles of genetics and environment in the growth patterns of various organisms by simulating different growth scenarios. This activity serves to introduce the basic concepts of environmental and genetic influences, using visual and interactive models.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Begin by engaging students with a discussion on how genetics and environment might influence human height using familiar examples.
2. Introduce interactive models or simulations that demonstrate how varying genetic traits and environmental conditions can influence the growth of a plant or animal.
3. Facilitate students' engagement with the models, allowing them to adjust variables such as nutrient availability, genetic makeup, and light exposure and observe the outcomes.
4. Guide students to record their observations and reflect on how different variables affected growth outcomes.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityReflection journal entries where students document their observations, insights, and initial hypotheses on genetic and environmental influences on growth.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with MS-LS1-5 by introducing students to the basic influences of genetics and environment on organism growth through interactive simulations.Activity 2
Data Collection Extravaganza
In this activity, students will gather and analyze real-world data on growth patterns of organisms under various genetic and environmental conditions to explore the complexities of these influences.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Assign students different organisms, each with unique genetic and environmental contexts, for data collection.
2. Guide students in using online databases or scientific articles to collect quantitative data on their assigned organisms.
3. Teach students how to organize their data in spreadsheets for easy comparison and analysis.
4. Facilitate a class discussion where students share findings and brainstorm potential scientific explanations for the data observed.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityData logs and presentation slides where students summarize their findings and explore the genetic and environmental factors affecting their assigned organisms.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity meets MS-LS1-5 by requiring students to engage in data collection and analysis, building a foundational understanding of evidence-based scientific explanations.Activity 3
Explanatory Synthesis Workshop
Students synthesize and articulate scientific explanations about organism growth variations based on the evidence they collected through prior activities, emphasizing construction of coherent and evidence-backed narratives.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Review the data collected and insights from previous activities to identify common trends and anomalies.
2. Model how to draft a scientific explanation with a solid claim, evidence, and reasoning template.
3. Guide students as they work in groups to draft their scientific explanations for the differences in organism growth.
4. Facilitate peer review sessions where groups exchange their drafts and provide constructive feedback.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written scientific explanation where students connect data, evidence, and reasoning to articulate how genetic and environmental factors influence organism growth.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMeets MS-LS1-5 by guiding students to construct scientific explanations based on collected evidence.🏆
Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioGenetic and Environmental Growth Analysis Rubric
Category 1
Understanding of Genetic and Environmental Influence
Evaluates students' comprehension of how genetic and environmental factors impact organism growth.Criterion 1
Conceptual Understanding
Assesses the depth of understanding regarding genetics and environmental factors.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the interaction between genetic and environmental factors and how they influence growth patterns across multiple organisms.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates a thorough understanding of genetic and environmental interactions affecting growth patterns in organisms.
Developing
2 PointsShows emerging understanding of genetic and environmental influences on growth, with some inconsistencies.
Beginning
1 PointsShows initial understanding with limited recognition of genetic and environmental impact on growth.
Category 2
Data Collection and Analysis
Assesses the ability to gather, organize, and analyze data related to the growth patterns of organisms.Criterion 1
Data Collection
Quality and thoroughness in gathering relevant data from credible sources.
Exemplary
4 PointsCollects comprehensive and relevant data from a wide range of credible sources, demonstrating a deep understanding of organism growth influences.
Proficient
3 PointsCollects relevant data from credible sources demonstrating a good understanding of organism growth influences.
Developing
2 PointsCollects basic data, but may lack depth or relevance, showing limited understanding.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to collect relevant data, with minimal understanding of what constitutes credible sources.
Criterion 2
Data Analysis
Ability to interpret and analyze data to understand the impact of genetic and environmental factors.
Exemplary
4 PointsAnalyzes data accurately, identifying trends and anomalies with insightful interpretations related to genetic and environmental factors.
Proficient
3 PointsAnalyzes data accurately, identifying key trends with adequate interpretation.
Developing
2 PointsAttempts to analyze data, with some inaccuracies in identifying trends and limited interpretations.
Beginning
1 PointsShows minimal ability to analyze data, with insufficient identification of trends or factors.
Category 3
Scientific Explanation Construction
Evaluation of the ability to construct well-founded scientific explanations using data and evidence.Criterion 1
Explanation Coherence
Clarity and coherence in constructing a scientific explanation with a clear claim, evidence, and reasoning.
Exemplary
4 PointsConstructs a highly coherent and logical scientific explanation, seamlessly integrating claim, evidence, and reasoning backed by extensive evidence.
Proficient
3 PointsConstructs a coherent scientific explanation with a clear claim and supporting evidence.
Developing
2 PointsAttempts scientific explanation with basic claims and evidence, with partial coherence.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to construct a coherent scientific explanation, with weak connections between claim, evidence, and reasoning.
Reflection Prompts
End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learningQuestion 1
Looking back over the course of the project, how has your understanding of the influence of genetics on organism growth evolved?
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Question 2
In what ways did the 'Genetic Marketplace' entry event help you conceptualize the genetic and environmental influences on growth?
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Optional
Question 3
Rate how effectively you were able to collect and analyze data on organism growth influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
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Required
Question 4
What role did peer feedback play in shaping your scientific explanations regarding organism growth?
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Question 5
Identify two real-life examples where genetic and environmental factors influence growth and explain how they relate to what you learned in this project.
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