Mutation Marvels Storyboard: Visualizing Genetic Changes
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Mutation Marvels Storyboard: Visualizing Genetic Changes

Grade 11Biology2 days
The 'Mutation Marvels Storyboard' project engages 11th-grade biology students in exploring the mechanisms and effects of genetic mutations through creative storytelling and multimedia presentations. Students will research specific types of mutations, analyze their impacts, and illustrate their findings on storyboards, focusing on both beneficial and harmful outcomes. By participating in interactive entry events and developing multimedia presentations, students will deepen their understanding of genetic mutations and their link to evolutionary processes, enhancing skills in research, critical thinking, and creative communication.
Genetic MutationsEvolutionBiologyCreative ExpressionCritical ThinkingMultimedia Presentations
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we creatively represent the diverse impacts and mechanisms of genetic mutations on organisms and their evolutionary paths?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are genetic mutations and how do they occur?
  • How do genetic mutations impact living organisms?
  • What are the different types of genetic mutations and how do they differ?
  • How can genetic mutations be both beneficial and harmful
  • How are genetic mutations linked to evolution and adaptation in species?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Understand the mechanisms and types of genetic mutations.
  • Analyze the impacts of genetic mutations on organisms.
  • Differentiate between beneficial and harmful mutations.
  • Explore the relationship between genetic mutations and evolutionary processes.
  • Develop skills in creative expression and visualization through storyboard creation.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

HS-LS3-1
Primary
Ask questions to clarify relationships about the role of DNA and chromosomes in coding the instructions for characteristic traits passed from parents to offspring.Reason: The project focuses on genetic mutations, which directly involves understanding DNA and gene function.
HS-LS3-2
Primary
Make and defend a claim based on evidence that inheritable genetic variations may result from (1) new genetic combinations through meiosis, (2) viable errors occurring during replication, and/or (3) mutations caused by environmental factors.Reason: This standard directly addresses the causes of genetic mutations, a major component of the project.
HS-ESS3-1
Secondary
Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.Reason: While more secondary, understanding environmental factors can offer deeper insights into some mutation causes.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.7
Supporting
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.Reason: Developing storyboards involves researching genetic mutations, fitting the need for inquiry and synthesis.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Mutation In The New Age: Debating The Ethics Of Genetic Engineering

Start with a provocative debate on the modern implications of genetic mutations and engineering, using current events and innovations, such as CRISPR, as a backdrop. Encourage students to delve into the ethical ramifications, driving them towards a deeper understanding of how real genetic mutations influence current and future scientific discussions.

Interactive Genetic Mutation Escape Room

Transform the classroom into an escape room where students must solve mutation-related puzzles and challenges to 'escape.' Each station focuses on different types of mutations and their consequences, requiring students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical problems, thereby blending fun with education.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Mutation Media Presentation

Students delve deeper into a specific genetic mutation, creating a multimedia presentation that details its mechanism, impacts on organisms, and potential evolutionary benefits or hazards.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Select a specific genetic mutation such as point mutation or frameshift mutation.
2. Conduct thorough research to understand the mutation's mechanism and effects on organisms.
3. Identify and include real-world examples where this mutation has played a significant role.
4. Investigate how this mutation can be both beneficial and harmful, depending on environmental context and species.
5. Create a multimedia presentation that includes images, graphs, and short videos to explain the mutation.
6. Rehearse and present the research to the class, encouraging questions and discussion.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA multimedia presentation that highlights a specific genetic mutation, covering its mechanism and impacts.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports HS-LS3-2 and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.7 through research and presentation of a genetic mutation's causes and effects.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Genetic Mutation Storyboard Rubric

Category 1

Understanding of Genetic Concepts

Measures understanding of genetic mutations, including types, mechanisms, and impacts on organisms.
Criterion 1

Mechanism Explanation

Evaluates the ability to explain the mechanisms of the selected mutation.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a comprehensive explanation of the mutation mechanism, using precise scientific vocabulary and clear, accurate examples.

Proficient
3 Points

Explains the mutation mechanism accurately with appropriate scientific vocabulary and relevant examples.

Developing
2 Points

Provides a basic explanation of the mutation mechanism, with some inaccuracies or lack of specific examples.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to explain the mutation mechanism, with several inaccuracies or missing examples.

Criterion 2

Impact Analysis

Assesses the ability to analyze the impacts of mutations on organisms.

Exemplary
4 Points

Insightfully analyzes the impacts of the mutation with detailed examples of both beneficial and detrimental effects, supported by reliable sources.

Proficient
3 Points

Accurately analyzes the impacts with examples of beneficial and detrimental effects, mostly supported by solid sources.

Developing
2 Points

Offers basic analysis of impacts with limited examples or incomplete use of sources.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides an incomplete or inaccurate analysis of impacts, with few if any examples.

Category 2

Research and Evidence

Evaluates research thoroughness and the ability to integrate and cite evidence from various sources.
Criterion 1

Research Depth

Examines the breadth and depth of research conducted on the chosen mutation.

Exemplary
4 Points

Conducts extensive and thorough research, integrating multiple high-quality sources with exceptional depth and insight.

Proficient
3 Points

Conducts thorough research with multiple sources integrated effectively and independently.

Developing
2 Points

Engages with basic research using limited sources with minimal integration.

Beginning
1 Points

Engages in minimal research with poorly integrated or inappropriate sources.

Criterion 2

Evidence Use

Assesses the ability to use and cite evidence to support claims and analysis.

Exemplary
4 Points

Uses evidence expertly to support claims with precise citation of diverse sources, enhancing the analysis significantly.

Proficient
3 Points

Uses evidence appropriately to support most claims, with adequate citation and integration of sources.

Developing
2 Points

Uses evidence to support some claims, with inconsistent citation or weak integration.

Beginning
1 Points

Rarely uses evidence to support claims or fails to properly cite sources.

Category 3

Creative Presentation and Communication

Evaluates the effectiveness of the multimedia presentation in clearly communicating ideas, using creative elements.
Criterion 1

Presentation Clarity

Measures the clarity and organization of the multimedia presentation.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presentation is highly clear and logically organized, engaging the audience with advanced multimedia elements.

Proficient
3 Points

Presentation is clear and well-organized with effective use of multimedia to enhance understanding.

Developing
2 Points

Presentation lacks clarity in some parts with few multimedia elements that support understanding.

Beginning
1 Points

Presentation is unclear and disorganized, with minimal or ineffective multimedia use.

Criterion 2

Creative Elements

Assesses creativity and originality in the presentation of the genetic mutation.

Exemplary
4 Points

Exhibits exceptional creativity and originality, displaying innovative approaches that vividly depict genetic mutations.

Proficient
3 Points

Displays creativity and originality effectively, using engaging methods to convey genetic mutations.

Developing
2 Points

Contains some creative elements, but lacks full originality or engagement in depicting mutations.

Beginning
1 Points

Lacks creativity and originality, with minimal impact in presentation.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on your understanding of genetic mutations before and after participating in the Mutation Marvels project.

Text
Required
Question 2

How confident do you feel about explaining the mechanisms and consequences of genetic mutations to your peers?

Scale
Required
Question 3

What was the most challenging part of creating your storyboard, and how did you overcome it?

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Required
Question 4

Which aspects of the project helped you understand the relationship between genetic mutations and evolutionary processes?

Multiple choice
Optional
Options
Research and presentation
Storyboard creation
Debate on genetic engineering
Escape room challenges
Question 5

How has participating in this project influenced your views on the ethical implications of genetic engineering?

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Required