Strawberry DNA Extraction
| Grade/Unit | 5th Grade Evolution and Genetics |
| Standards | 5.L.3 Understand why organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based on the characteristics of the organism. 5.L.3.1 Explain why organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based on the characteristics of the organism. 5.L.3.2 Give examples of likenesses that are inherited and some that are not. Unpacking: 5.L.3.1 Students know that the life processes and species characteristics that define a population will be transmitted from parent to offspring. Students also know that these processes and characteristics cover a broad range of structures, functions and behaviors that can vary substantially from individual to individual. 5.L.3.2 Students know some likenesses between parents and children are inherited. Other likenesses are learned from parents or within the community (population/culture). Students know that in order for offspring to resemble their parents there must be a reliable way to transfer genetic information from parent to offspring. Students can be encouraged to keep lists of characteristics that animals and plants acquire from their parents, things that they don’t, and things that the students are not sure about either way. This is also the time to start building the notion of a population whose members are alike in many ways but show some variation. |
| Science & Engineering Practices | *Asking questions and defining problems. *Planning and carrying out investigations. *Constructing explanations and designing solutions. |
| Lesson Notes | *This lesson is formatted into a video investigation led by Amy Bowman (Plants for Human Health Institute). Students are guided step-by-step through the process of extracting DNA from a strawberry, with scientific explanations for each step. *Commonly available, low cost supplies will allow students to follow along at home or school. *Supplemental handout. |