Basic Information
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 Genetics 101
 Publications
 Media Guide

Educational Materials

• HGP Publications funded by the U.S. Department of Energy
  • Primer: Genomics and Its Impact on Science and Society: The Human Genome Project and Beyond (2008) -- covers basic science, the Human Genome Project, what we know so far, ELSI, medicine, benefits and more. This primer is also available in Acrobat (pdf) format.
  • Beyond the Human Genome Project Poster (2003) -- Educational wall poster downloadable in PDF.
  • Human Genome Landmarks: Selected Genes, Traits, and Disorders Poster -- view the 24 human chromosomes and selected genes mapped to each.
  • 1992 DOE Primer on Molecular Genetics -- covers basic genome science including a glossary of genetic terms.
  • To Know Ourselves (1996) -- provides an overview of the underlying science of the Human Genome Project.
  • Your Genes, Your Choices -- describes the Human Genome Project, the science behind it, and the ethical, legal, and social issues raised by the project.
  • A Vital Legacy (1997) -- report on 50 years of progress in the revolutionary program that gave rise to the Human Genome Project. In Acrobat (pdf) format.
  • Other HGP Publications
• Other U.S. Department of Energy Publications
  • Education Program from the Joint Genome Institute develops educational programs and tools, centered on large-scale DNA sequencing and its bioinformatic analysis.
  • The Microbial World: A Challenging Frontier (2005) extracted from the DOE Genomics:GTL Roadmap, this 8-page section focuses on the vast and genetically rich resource of microbes.
  • Primer on Microbial Genomics

Downloadable Teaching Aids

• Downloadable DOE-Supported Curriculum Modules from BSCS for high school teachers and students
  • Bioinformatics and the Human Genome Project (2003)-- This stand-alone instructional module addresses how and why computers are essential for analyzing the data produced by the Human Genome Project. Lessons use both print and Web-based activities to help students learn how computers are used to assemble DNA sequences, locate genes, and obtain clues about gene functions. In this context, the ethical, social, and legal implications of genetic databases and informed consent are considered. Available free in PDF from this link.
    
    
  • Genes, Environment, and Human Behavior (2000) -- This curriculum supplement explores how scientists investigate the genetics of human behavior. Students are introduced to the complex interactions of genetic, developmental, and environmental factors and their influence on human behavior. An important goal is to develop student appreciation of the potential impact of emerging knowledge on public policy. Available free in PDF from this link or for the cost of shipping and handling from BSCS. [719/531-5550, Fax: 719/531-9104, info@bscs.org].
    
    
  • Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome: Science, Ethics, and Public Policy (1997) -- This curriculum supplement describes the history, organization, and funding of the HGP and is designed for approximately one week of classroom instruction. Teacher background materials include sections about the science and technology used in the HGP as well as the project's ethical and public policy dimensions. The supplement includes classroom activities that give students experience working with a database of DNA sequences, analyzing the genetic contribution to human traits, assessing who should have access to genetic data, and using knowledge about our genetics to establish public policy. Available free in PDF from this link. [719/531-5550, Fax: 719/531-9104, info@bscs.org].
    
    
  • The Puzzle of Inheritance: Genetics and the Methods of Science (1997) -- The five activities in this module focus on nontraditional concepts of inheritance to demonstrate the nature and methods of science. The module provides teachers with extensive background information, associated ethical considerations, and a wide range of genetic topics. Available free in PDF from this link. [719/531-5550, Fax: 719/531-9104, info@bscs.org].
    
    
  • The Human Genome Project: Biology, Computers, and Privacy (1996) -- In the seven activities that constitute this module, students learn the structures, uses, limitations, and implications of genomic databases; both print materials and software are included. Teachers are provided with background information on the construction and use of genetic databases and the possible misuse of generalized and personal data in areas such as healthcare, employment, and insurance. The module and its accompanying database are available for free from this link or for the cost of shipping and handling from BSCS [719/531-5550, Fax: 719/531-9104, info@bscs.org].
    

• NIH Educational Resources for High School, Middle School, Elementary School
  
  
  • Topic: Genetics Online, downloadable, and printed materials are available free from the NIH Office of Science Education.
    
    
• Biotechnology Institute -- This nonprofit organization is dedicated to increasing the public’s awareness and understanding of biotechnology. To accomplish this, the Institute provides educational and research programs for teachers, students, and other general audiences. See Genome: The Secret of How Life Works for a teacher's resource guide about genomics and see the Teacher Resources for information on workshops, biotechnology career profiles, a biotechnology timeline, and access to Your World: Biotechnology & You, a magazine of biotechnology fundamentals and applications, written for 7th-12th graders. Out-of-print issues of Your World can be downloaded for free. For a subscription or to order a classroom set, go to the order form.
  
  
• PBS Resources
  
  
  
  • PBS TeacherSource - Science & Technology -- View and download lesson plans and activities associated with a variety of scientific issues covered by PBS programs.
  • NewsHour Extra: Science -- Biology -- Educational biology materials from NewsHour Extra's Teacher Resources. Access NewsHour transcripts, stories for teens, and lesson plans.
  • Our Genes/Our Choices (2003) -- This three-part television series from the Fred Friendly Seminars (Columbia University School of Journalism), examines the impact of genetics advances on the right to privacy, reproductive choices, and personal responsibility. This series was originally broadcast in January 2003. From this site you can download transcripts, watch video highlights, and order videos.
  • Cracking the Code of Life (2001) -- This Web site covering the race to sequence the genome is a companion to the two-hour NOVA program by the same name which was rebroadcast in August 2002. From this site, you can view the entire program online, explore and learn about DNA with animated modules, and download a teacher's guide and classroom activities from the classroom resources.
  • Harvest of Fear: Exploring the Fight Over Genetically Modified Food (2001) -- This Web site accompanies the report by the same name that aired on PBS in 2001. In "Harvest of Fear," FRONTLINE and NOVA explore the intensifying debate over genetically modified (gm) food crops. Interviewing scientists, farmers, biotech and food industry representatives, government regulators, and critics of biotechnology, this two-hour report presents both sides of the debate, exploring the risks and benefits, the hopes and fears, of this new technology.
  • Lost Tribes of Israel (2000) -- This Web site accompanies the PBS documentary by the same name that was originally broadcast in February 2000. The program follows anthropologist Tudor Parfitt's journey to find both the lost city of the Lemba and the truth behind their claim to an ancient Jewish heritage. Access exercises to analyze Y-chromosome data to construct a family tree, a printable classroom activity, and information for ordering a copy of the documentary.
    
• Genetic Science Learning Center: Teacher Resources -- Browse and access student activities with the Print-and-Go Index, learn about upcoming events and workshops for teachers, and download The 5-Primer Times, a newsletter from the Genetic Science Learning Center.
  
  
• Actionbioscience.org -- This Web site provides peer-reviewed articles and links about six bioscience challenges: biodiversity, environment, genomics, biotechnology, evolution, and new frontiers. Access lesson plans for middle school, high school, and undergraduate students from the lesson directory. Teachers are also welcome to submit their own lessons.
  
  
• Understanding the Human Genome Project: Online Education Kit -- This online multimedia tool kit was created by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) to help high school students and the interested public learn about the Human Genome Project. The interactive modules feature illustrations, animations, and audio and video components. The following modules are available: Bioinformatics; Timeline; Genes, Variation, and Human History; How to Sequence a Genome; Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications; Our Molecular Selves; and Articles of Interest. In addition to these downloadable resources, the site includes a talking glossary, modules for teachers, and education resources.
  
  
• Genetics Education Partnership -- GEP is a learning community of kindergarten through 12th grade teachers, scientists, and genetics professionals from throughout Washington state who are committed to genetics teaching. Their Web site includes a Genetics Education Guide (2000) for K-12 that can be viewed online or downloaded for free. The site also provides ideas for classroom activities and reviews of instructional materials.
  
  
• Blazing a Genetic Trail (updated Spring 2002) -- This special report on mutant genes and hereditary disorders from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute can be viewed online or downloaded as a PDF. Some of the topics covered in this report include finding faulty genes, discovering how genetic disorders are inherited, reading the human blueprint, and conquering a genetic disease. Some special features available only in the online version are a Glossary; A Brief Key to Basic Genetics; and The Genes We Share with Yeast, Flies, Worms, and Mice.
  
  
• Genetics Lesson Plans - These lesson plans from the Educator's Reference Desk cover genetics fundamentals, chromosome design, protein synthesis, and how cells duplicate. Educator's Reference Desk is an online service providing education information to teachers, librarians, parents, and anyone interested in education. The Gateway to Educational Materials (GEM) provides access to more than 40,000 educational resources.
  
  
• DNA Chips: A Genetics Lab in the Palm of Your Hand (2000) -- This is a special issue of Snapshots of Science and Medicine devoted to teaching high school students about DNA chip and DNA microarray technology. The entire issue and a supplementary teacher's guide are downloadable. Back issues also are online.
  
  
• GenScope (1999 Archived) -- Free, downloadable software that allows students to manipulate the DNA of an imaginary species of dragon and observe the effects at all levels. Suitable for high school students.

Online Educational Modules

• Gene Gateway -- A guide to help you learn about the genes, traits, and disorders listed on the Human Genome Landmarks poster. Find disorder information and learn how to view and use genome maps, sequence data, protein structures and more!
  
  
• Dolan DNA Learning Center (DNALC) -- This Web site from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has numerous educational tools. DNA Interactive is a multimedia site dedicated to the discovery of the complementary pairing of DNA bases and the scientists who contributed to this discovery. Your Genes, Your Health is an online multimedia encyclopedia of genetic disorders. DNA From the Beginning is a Web-based educational module that covers basic concepts of inheritance through up-to-the-minute methods of DNA analysis. This module is also available for purchase as a CD-ROM set. Other resources at this site include: Image Archive on the American Eugenics Movement and BioServers (bioinformatics tools for students and teachers).
  
  
• Biology Project -- This site serves as an up-to-date online interactive resource for learning biology. Presented by the University of Arizona, the Biology Project provides tutorials, problem sets, and activities in a number of areas of genetic research including forensics, inheritance, karyotyping, gene expression, and Mendelian genetics. Many of the units are also available in Spanish and Portuguese. Suitable for high school and college students. General Biology lesson plans are provided for middle and high school students.
  
  
• NCBI Guide to the Draft Human Genome Sequence -- This website aims to jump-start those who want make use of the draft sequence but are not sure where or how to start.
  
  
• Waksman Student Scholars Program -- This program includes online tutorials in the biosciences, an online bioinformatics challenge for students, and numerous other resources for high school teachers and students.
  
  
• Hello Dolly -- Launched in 1997, this Web-based curriculum was designed to help students consider cloning from several different perspectives. Targeted to high school students.

Videos, Webcasts, Graphics and Animation

• Videos on Genetics and the Human Genome Project -- Provides contact information for suppliers of videos on topics related to genetics, the HGP, and the MGP.
  
  
• Webcasts -- Online audio and video presentations about genetics and the Human Genome Project.
  
  
• Image Gallery -- View and download genome science images provided by the U.S. Department of Energy Genome Program.
  
  
• Interactive Mouse Genetics from Oak Ridge National Laboratory -- Learn about mouse genetics and the statistics behind the inheritance of red eyes and black fur. Requires free Shockwave plug-in.
  
  
• The following animations are provided by the University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. For advanced high school and college biology students. Requires free Flash 5 Player.
  • Transcription/Translation Overview
  • Transcription Detail
  • Translation Detail (protein synthesis)
    
    
• Biology Animation Library -- Access animations depicting different molecular biology techniques such as PCR, Southern blotting, and cycle sequencing, and a section called DNA Detective. Provided by the Dolan DNA Learning Center at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Requires free Shockwave plug-in.
  
  

Posters

• Human Genome Landmarks: Selected Traits and Disorders Mapped to Chromosomes -- Order an educational wall poster of all 24 human chromosomes and selected genes that have been mapped to each. Online version of the poster also is available.
• Beyond the Human Genome Project Poster & Slide Presentation

Presentations - Download slide sets to use in presentations about genetics, the Human Genome Project (HGP), and issues surrounding the HGP.


Teaching Aids Available for Purchase

• The New Genetics: Medicine and the Human Genome (2001) -- A multimedia CD-ROM for those interested in the impact of genetics and genomics on healthcare and society.
  
  
• Biology Posters from Ward's Natural Science -- Order posters about general biology, cell biology, genetics, classification, molecular biology, microorganisms, plants, animals, wildlife and ecology, and human biology. Many other science education materials available for purchase from Ward's Natural Science Online Catalog.
  
  
• Carolina Biological Supply Company -- This company provides an online catalog of products to support mathematics and scientific education. See the Teacher Resources section, which includes classroom activities; audio, video, and software downloads; grant writing resources; MSDS sheets; professional development opportunities; science content standards; and more.
  
  
• CellServ - Self-contained kits for use in genetics laboratory activities and classroom instruction. CellServ provides four different types of kits: Visualization of Normal and Transformed Cells; Observation of Heterokaryons Through Cell Fusion; Effects of Toxic Chemicals on Cells; and Preparation of Human Chromosome Spreads. PowerPoint presentations also are available for purchase. Sponsored by the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences at the National Institutes of Health.
  
  
• Science Topics: Genetics -- Order software with simulations and content that can be used for teaching different genetics concepts. Available from the EME corporation.
  

Books

• Science & Technology Books: Human Biology -- Lesson plans for use by K-12 teachers. Provided by PBS TeacherSource.
  
  
• Book Review Archive -- Read reviews of books covering a variety of topics related to genetics. From the Genome News Network (GNN).
  • Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters (2000) -- Read a review from the GNN archive. This book consists of 23 chapters where each chapter is a short story covering one of the genes found on each human chromosome. A second counterpoint review is also available from GNN.
    
    
• Science Books & Films Online: Best Lists -- Lists of the best science books, films, and software are published annually by Science Books & Films, the AAAS critical review journal.
  
  
• Abraham Lincoln's DNA and Other Adventures in Genetics (2000) -- Read a review of this book that details 24 true, wide-ranging tales of crime, history, human behavior, illness, and ethics to illustrate the principles of human genetics.
  
Workshops and Training Opportunities for Teachers
• Office of Science: Workforce Development -- Learn more about internships, fellowships, and other programs for teachers and students. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science.
• BSCS Science Institutes -- Professional development for high school science teachers.
• Princeton Molecular Biology Outreach Programs -- Summer workshop covering molecular biology laboratory experiments. For secondary school science teachers.
• BioQuest Curriculum Consortium Workshops -- Workshops for educators interested in reforming undergraduate biology.
• Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium -- Workshops, conferences, special projects, and other opportunities for science educators.
  

Other Genetics Sites


• A Celebration of the Genome: 50 Years of DNA -- April 2003 marked the 50th anniversary of James Watson and Francis Crick's Nobel Prize winning description of the DNA double helix. Join the National Institutes of Health and Department of Energy's month-long series of scientific, educational, cultural and celebratory events across the United States commemorating the historic culmination of one of the most important scientific projects in history, the sequencing of the human genome.
  
  
• Linus Pauling and the Race for DNA: A Documentary History -- This special collection of more than 800 scanned documents, photographs, audio clips, and video describes in great detail the pursuit to discover the structure of DNA. An excellent reference source for anyone interested in the history of DNA.
  
  
• Access Excellence -- This site, which is part of the National Health Museum, is targeted to health and bioscience educators. Get news, access graphics galleries, read articles about research and new approaches to teaching science, collaborate with other educators online, browse collections of classroom activities, and subscribe to Biology Education Online, a peer-reviewed e-journal by and for K-16 educators (subscription is free with registration).
  
  
• Genome News Network (GNN) -- Online news magazine covering genomics research around the world. GNN is published every other week. Some special educational features include: A Quick Guide to Sequenced Genomes (up-to-date reference for finding out what genomes have been sequenced); What's a Genome? (illustrated content introducing basic concepts related to DNA, genomes, genes, and chromosomes); and Genetics and Genomics Timeline.
  
  
• Learning About the Human Genome Project and Genetics Through the World Wide Web (2001) -- A printable URL list.
  
  
• Careers in Genetics and the Biosciences -- A summary of career areas related to the biosciences with links to additional information. Also available as a PDF Handout.
  
  
• Genetics Education Center -- Collections of links for educators interested in human genetics from the University of Kansas Medical Center. Find information on books, videos, curricula, lesson plans, genetics news, opportunities for networking with other educators, and links to other resources.
  
  
• Library of Life -- An online, interactive introduction to DNA, chromosomes, genes, amino acids, genetic disease, and cell types. From the Washington Post.
  
  
• Blueprint of the Body -- CNN's overview of the Human Genome Project. Access an interactive genome guide, online video, essays, and interviews.
  
  
• HHMI Online Catalog -- Place orders for free publications, videos, and other materials produced by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
  
  
• Ask a Scientist -- Read answers to some of the common biology questions on topics like eye color. From the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
  
  
• The DNA Files -- A Web site that accompanies two series of radio programs broadcast on NPR. Listen to audio clips, read program summaries, and order tapes, CD’s, or transcripts for these programs that explain how the genetic revolution affects our every day lives.
  
  
• Classic Papers in Genetics -- This service from Electronic Scholarly Publishing provides free online access to some of the most important papers in the history of genetics research.
  
  
• "What Does DNA Sound Like?" (2001) -- Go inside a cell with sounds and pictures from NPR's Morning Edition.
  

Genética Websites en Español


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