Community Science
How can we use DNA identification to solve problems in our lives, in our community, and on our planet?
PRESS PLAY TO WATCH Video Intro
AG/ENVIRONMENTAL | UNIT 8
Overview At a Glance
STORYLINE
- Learn about three DNA identification techniques—Sanger sequencing, digital PCR, and NextGen sequencing—and how they could be used to address local community issues.
PACING
- 9 week unit
- 45-minute classes
- Built in flex days
FRAMING
- Standards Aligned
- Driving Question
- Engineering Design Process
- Project Based
LESSON PLANS AND LABS
- 4 Core Lessons
- 3 Proposal Development Lessons
- 4 DNA Technology Lessons
- 1 Final Project Artifact
Lesson Plans, Labs and Student Capture Sheets
This unit includes lesson plans, labs, and student capture sheets that empower educators to engage all students. These lesson bundles can be downloaded, for use in the classroom. Lesson 1 should be taught first. The proposal development (PD) lessons and DNA technology (Tech) lessons can be interspersed with each other, but should still be taught in order. Lessons 9, 10, and 11 require knowledge of all previous lessons. See Pacing Guide for an example outline.
Complete UnitZIP, 189.4 MB
Introduction
Ag/Environmental
Community Science
Students will identify important community issues and investigate DNA identification techniques that could be used to address those issues. They will consider how these technologies can be used to empower communities to make positive change.
Lesson 1
Ag/Environmental
Community Applications Of DNA Identification
5 classes
How can individuals and communities use the power of DNA identification tools to solve local problems? Use evolutionary analysis to hypothesize relationships and medicinal properties of botanical specimens.
Proposal Development Lesson 1
Ag/Environmental
Analyzing Community Needs and Proposal Identification
8 classes
What issues, problems, or challenges in our community could be addressed with DNA identification technology? Ask questions about how DNA identification techniques can be used to address local community issues.
Proposal Development Lesson 2
Ag/Environmental
Competitive Landscape Analysis
3 classes
What characteristics of a new product or service make it unique from existing ones? Collect and analyze data about existing DNA identification services on the market.
Proposal Development Lesson 3
Ag/Environmental
Stakeholders and Inclusion
3 classes
How should the needs and concerns of stakeholders be taken into consideration during product development? Identify stakeholders that might be interested in a product, and analyze their needs and concerns.
DNA Technology Lesson 1
Ag/Environmental
DNA Recap
2 classes
How does the structure of DNA allow for DNA identification? Review the structure of DNA and its function.
DNA Technology Lesson 2
Ag/Environmental
Sanger Sequencing
2 classes
How does Sanger sequencing work as a DNA identification technique? Model how Sanger sequencing is used to analyze DNA samples.
DNA Technology Lesson 3
Ag/Environmental
Digital PCR
1 classes
How does Digital PCR work as a DNA identification technique? Use diagrams and simulations to determine how digital PCR is used to analyze DNA samples.
DNA Technology Lesson 4
Ag/Environmental
NextGen Sequencing
4 classes
How does NextGen Sequencing work as a DNA identification technique? Solve a food poisoning outbreak by modeling NextGen sequencing, BLAST analysis and the NCBI genome database.
Lesson 9
Ag/Environmental
Decision Tree Creation
3 classes
Which DNA identification technique should be used to answer a given question? Create a decision tree to guide the selection of an appropriate DNA identification technique.
Lesson 10
Ag/Environmental
DNA Collection Kit Design
3 classes
How can a user’s perspective inform communication techniques? Use a visual model to effectively communicate information about DNA collection toolkits to a target audience.
Lesson 11
Ag/Environmental
Final Artifact
7-8 classes
How are crowdfunding campaigns used to build support for a new service or product? Create an evidence-based funding proposal, including a slide deck and elevator speech, to pitch proposed DNA kits.
