Biotechnology Classroom Activities

These activities were assembled by teachers participating in summer Biotechnology workshops at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, 1991-1996. They were designed to be used in the participants' classes, but we hope that others will find them useful. The activities are intended to be as classroom-ready as possible, including sources of materials and information about content background, timing, and assessment. We are in the process of field testing the activities, so that they can be modified or corrected if necessary. The activities are listed below. Those with an HTML and/or PDF icon can be downloaded from this page. We hope to eventually convert the remaining activities.

Disclaimer: These activities and course outlines are being made available for field testing purposes. They still may contain errors and unreferenced or copyrighted materials - please bring such problems to our attention. Other suggestions for improving the units are welcome. These materials were developed in part with support from the National Science Foundation. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Foundation.

Table of Contents:

Classroom Activities

• Food Science
• Genetics and DNA Analysis
• Proteins, Enzymes and Hormones
• Plant Science and Tissue Culture
• Animal Science
• Ecology
• DNA Structure and Function
• Genetic Engineering in Bacteria and General Biotechnology

Biotechnology Course Outlines

Food Science
Fermentation in the Food Industry: An Introduction to Biotechnology  HTML PDF

This activity will introduce the students to fermentation as well as provide hands on experience with a variety of food fermentation processes. In this exercise, students will study fermentation as a natural biological process and also its implicatio ns in the food and agricultural industries. Group projects incorporate an inquiry based lab, personal journal, and class presentation of research.
Last modified February 13, 1997.

The benefits of using fermentation in an industrial capacity  HTML PDF

This activity should follow an introductory or advanced unit in fermentation. By dividing the students into groups of four to five individuals, they will be allowed to develop skills in collaborative learning and also select a major food preparation project and oral presentation of their results. Skills in the area of food safety and laboratory safety and management will be taught. Other related skills in consumer science, career opportunities, and public communication will be acquired.
Last modified March 14, 1997.

Is Milk Something to "MOO" About?  HTML PDF

The activity will introduce students to the enzyme lactase, lactose intolerance, and commercial enzymes produced by biotechnology. Students will examine the structure of disaccharides and analyze the problems due to lactose intolerance. Students will analyze and evaluate the development and use of biotechnology to improve the quality of life. The lab activity is designed to demonstrate the importance of lactase by experimenting with milk, Lactaid tablets and milk, and table sugars. Such an activity will be followed by a guest speaker from the milk processing industry. An extension of this activity is to study a list of topics in relation to lactose intolerance.
Last modified May 13, 1997.

by an aerobic fermentation  HTML PDF

This activity takes students from knowledge of gene regulation in the lac operon, to demonstrations of technology in bacterial transformation, aerobic fermentation and bioassays. When students have completed this activity they will not only know the theory behind each of the major concepts but also will have participated in manipulating genetic content, manufacturing and identifying product (beta-galactosidase). As part of the lab, students will be expected to determine what appropriate controls should be in place so that the experience is truely an experiment and not just a demo. They wil also build a bioreactor and complete the activity with a poster project assessment.
Last modified May 15, 1997.

The art of cheesemaking and biotechnology  HTML

A unit for teachers who wish to use cheesemaking as an example of an "old" industry which is utilizing elements of Biotechnology to help improve its products. Activities can be adapted to a variety of classroom situations, e.g. a short exploratory unit or a more complex unit in Food Science, Chemistry, Dairy Science, Physics, Biology, etc.
Last Modified July 8, 1997.

This activity contains learning exercises that can be used to actively involve students in biotechnology applications in the food industry. It incorporates global perspectives by covering previous advances in technology during the Green Revolution, showing how biotechnology is being used to improve or increase the world's food supply.

Genetics and DNA Analysis
"Two" X or Not "Two" X? That is the Question!!!  HTML PDF

The activities in this unit introduce and demonstrate the variations found in the inheritance of sex linked traits due to the unique properties of the X chromosome. Included in this is the infamous "Lyon Hypothesis" and its influence on inheritance between the sexes in both humans and animals. Chromosomal syndromes, genetic diseases and animal breeding effects are explored.
Last modified February 13, 1997.

Digital digestion: DNA electrophoresis software  HTML PDF

Students are introduced to the basics of DNA restriction analysis, eventually applying their knowledge of DNA restriction enzymes and electrophoresis to the construction of restriction maps. The activity consists of four major exercises that can be used alone or in various combinations, to enhance the teaching of a unit on DNA and electrophoresis.
Last modified May 19, 1997.

This activity will introduce the procedures involved in DNA fingerprinting, and includes examples of applications along with student simulations.

Proteins, Enzymes and Hormones
Enzymes R Us: From DNA to Digestion  HTML PDF

This unit will provide learning experiences that will help the student understand how DNA controls the proteins that the body makes and how these proteins govern bodily activities. It will also allow the student to investigate factors that affect the functioning of enzymes and use the Internet to find information about the DNA sequence, amino acid sequence and the 3-D shape of proteins.
Last modified April 8, 1997.

Students will learn about the nature of protein structure and enzyme activity through investigative activities using bacteria and food enzymes. Also includes analysis of bioethical issues related to the use of enzymes in medical treatments.

This project will present a broad picture of performance enhancers in both the livestock industry and the human population. The agriculture department will present information related to food production. The science department will present information related to the function of the human body. Together, the science and agriculture departments will compare and contrast aspects of performance enhancers.

This is an extension of a simple thin-layer chromatography used for amino acid identification by adding colorimetric measurements to make the activity more quantitative. Procedures for analyzing the dipeptide aspartame and the fibrous protein collagen are included.

Plant Science and Tissue Culture
Bacteria and the Inoculation of Legumes  HTML PDF

This activity will introduce students to biological nitrogen-fixation and the inoculation process as well as provide hands-on experience using inoculation equipment. In this exercise students will study inoculation as a natural biological process and also its importance to the agricultural industries. Included in this exercise will be laboratory activities designed to explore how inoculation takes place in natural and artificial settings. Students will also be exposed to the historical background, the important role that biotechnology plays in the industrial fermentation process, and the commercial applications of biological nitrogen fixation.
Last modified February 13, 1997.

Environmental conditions and the effects on plant growth rates  HTML PDF

This unit will use Wisconsin Fast Plants to illustrate how different environmental conditions will affect the growth rates of plants and then apply gel electrophoresis techniques to examine chemical differences.
This activity is designed to supplement lecture and video material for a unit on plant growth and reproduction. This activity is designed to be student centered as the student will design, test and report their data to the entire class.
Last modified February 25, 1997.

Using Fast Plants (TM) to Teach Lab Design  HTML PDF

The goal of this unit will be to provide students with the basis for questioning and experimental design. They will also design an experiment in a chosen area of plant research using Wisconsin Fast Plants (TM). Minimal background material will be supplied in areas of plant research, along with a few possible questions. The student will be asked to do further library research on the application of their experiment to the biotechnology industry.
Last modified March 4, 1997.

This exercise is designed to illustrate basic principles involved with cloning as a type of asexual reproduction.

In this activity students will observe the process of germination in Wisconsin Fast Plants (tm) (Brassica rapa). Students will be introduced to the parts of and functions involved in the embryonic development of seeds, and the growth and development of vascular plants using Wisconsin Fast Plants (tm). The students will use the scientific method to investigate factors affecting seed germination. This exercise will allow students to view an organism beginning it's life cycle. This should pique the students interest about life, particularly plant life.

Incorporating the scientific method into a process of creating monohybrid crosses and reaching optimum production of seed using Wisconsin Fast Plants (tm).

Parallels a study of non-irradiated Wisconsin Fast Plants (tm) with a study of plants whose seeds have been irradiated with various known amounts of x-rays.

This unit includes information and activities dealing with biotechnology careers, history of biotechnology and crop science, terminology used in biotechnology and crop science, issues and regulation of biotechnological products. Activities include discussion, crossword puzzles, study questions, and videos.

Animal Science
Antibiotic testing in milk - a "hot" topic  HTML PDF

This unit can be used in an animal science class discussing milk quality or in a biology/health class to complement a unit on antibiotics and how or why they affect the human body.
Last modified April 14, 1997

This is a 4-unit overview of the advancements in reproductive biotechnology. Technical information is provided, and students examine the bioethical implications of this new technology. The units cover artificial insemination, embryo transfer, embryo manipulation, and in vitro fertilization.

Aquaculture unit (4 weeks) outline highlighting activities relating to genetic engineering as they apply to aquaculture.

A living system for the study of embryological development.

Uses poultry and related game birds to illustrate vertebrate embryo reproduction.

An activity designed to help students learn the natural reproductive processes of fish species important in aquaculture. Students will determine desirable traits targeted for selection, and design and conduct genetic manipulation throught the process of gynogenesis.

Ecology
Microbial decomposition in forestland

The purpose of this activity is to introduces students to the concept of aerobic and anaerobic respiration as it relates to a forestland. The student will work on respiration worksheets, spend some time in the forest setting looking for samples to work with, perform a lab-oriented exercise in forest floor decomposition, and explore practical application of enhanced microbes in industrial and ecological situations.

This project includes activities, laboratory exercises, instructional materials, and evaluation methods for a study of biotechnology of waste management. Waste management methods included are composting, oil spill clean-up, soil organism identification, and selecting soil organisms for decomposers.

Immunology, Virology and Cell Culture
A simulation of the new "at home" HIV test kits

This lab is a simple two-day chromatography lab which simulates the basics of the HIV ELISA found in the proposed "at home" testing kit. One day is used to set up the testing factors and discuss the lab, background, and possible experiment with real "at home" tests, such as pregnancy tests. The second day is used to complete the lab and discuss results.

Biotechnology activities including exploring gene therapy, molecular biology, culturing of animal cells, and virus behavior.

DNA Structure and Function
Comparing human and bovine sequences of DNA, RNA, and amino acids

In this activity, students are asked to replicate, transcribe, and translate human and bovine sequences of DNA which are involved in the production of the hormone insulin. The four to five day activity includes background material on these processes, videotapes, construction of two-dimensional paper models, a worksheet to check for understanding, and a quiz composed of open-ended type questions for evaluative purposes.

This activity incorporates several levels of student participation. Students work in groups to determine the nucleotide sequence of a gene. Each student is given an envelope containing DNA fragments of various lengths and must separate them by size, simulating electrophoresis. The results are analyzed and shared cooperatively between groups to determine the overall sequence of the gene. Follow-up discussions centers around the applications of this technology and the ethical issues raised.

The intent of this packet is to provide 9th-12th grade biology, Biotechnology, and Agriscience classes with an opportunity to learn about DNA, RNA, and their processes. Teachers can choose to use individual stand-alone activities or the complete packet as a supplement to a unit on DNA structure and function.

Students working in different groups will isolate DNA from different sources (bacteria, plants, and animal tissue) to facilitate inquiry and discussion while emphasizing universal properties of DNA.

Activities demonstrate the importance of DNA supercoiling in space conservation and the amount of energy expended.

Provides a variety of exercises to teach the basic ideas of DNA function.

A highly visual approach to hands on learning of cellular structure and function. Students will construct a large-scale model of a cell, transforming a room into a macro-cell with detailed structure of organelles and other structures.

Genetic Engineering in Bacteria and General Biotechnology
Bioethical decision-making

Through the use of a decision-making model, the student will practice making decisions on bioethical issues. Sample case studies from medical, agricultural, economical, and social areas are included. A suggestion for performance assessment is included.

Includes three 2-3 day activities (bacterial transformation, restriction enzyme cleavage, gel electrophoresis) designed to allow the students to experience some aspects of recombinant DNA technology.

After the teacher discusses the components of the internal structure of a bacterial cell, students will go through a model building process. This model will show how a genetic engineer would insert a new gene into the bacterial cell, accurately identify and isolate this new trait, and then mass culture a new product.

The activities in this package are designed to allow the students to explore their own concepts, emotions, and values about genetic engineering.

This lesson plan will guide the teacher and student through a set of problem-solving activities that will model the structure of DNA, the universality of DNA, its replication, and genetic engineering by using a fictitious setting of Jurassic Park. The students will study DNA structure and function and build a DNA model. They then will be given the challenge to accomplish the hypothetical feat of engineering a new organism from an existing organism.

A unit designed to develop the understanding that DNA is universal and basically the same in all organisms leading to the potential of gene transfer. Also explores ethical considerations.

Focuses on decision-making about bio-related technologies with discussions of values and other influences on the generation of policies. Development of rules, regulations, and public policy are also identified. Through role playing, the students will participate in a decision-making process on the subject of recombinant bovine somatotropin.

A series of activities for 10th grade science or agriscience students focusing on career options in biotechnology.

This activity will introduce students to bacteria; what they are, what effects they have, how they are controlled, and how they are used in the field of biotechnology.

This set of classroom activities is designed to stimulate critical thinking skills. Activities focus on the NOVA presentation "The real Jurassic Park".

Complete instructions for making and using electrophoresis equipment.

Biotechnology Curriculum Proposal (1) HTML PDF

The word biotechnology means different things to different people. In this class you will explore the technological applications of life and living organisms. You will begin by examining the chemical nature of life, the molecular basis of heredity, and the inheritance of traits according to the principals of genetics. Through the direct applications of modern biotechnology lab skills such as cultures, recombinant DNA technology, and gel electrophoresis, you will study plants and animals as they relate to the science of food and feeding our human population. The class closes with a look at the future and ethics of our increasing knowledge. Team taught by teachers from agriculture and science, this class examines both the theoretical and practical applications of the science of life.
Last modified February 13, 1997

Biotechnology Course Outline (2) HTML PDF

This year long course offers the student an opportunity to experience the basics of microbiology, human genetics, biotechnology, and exploration of bioethical issues.
Last modified February 13, 1997

Biotechnology Course Outline for Block Scheduling (3) HTML PDF

Biotechnology is a lab-intensive course designed to combine molecular biology with practical applications. Students will be exposed to DNA fingerprinting, gene mapping, electrophoresis and DNA spooling, as well as many activities like making yogurt and bread that relate biotechnology to daily life. Students will also have the opportunity to address social and ethical issues surrounding biotechnology.
Last modified February 13, 1997

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