It's in the Genes: Mini Med FLEX Camp
What's included
0 pre-recorded lessons
6 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentHomework
1 hour per week. * Learners will complete a model, drawing, or written notes during each class * Learners will post a photo of their model, drawing, or written notes in the classroom * Learners will be asked to answer a prompt before and after the recorded lesson every week, which may be a getting-to-know-you question or related to the material * Learners are encouraged to comment on classmates' work as wellClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
**Since these are flex classes and people take vacations and holiday breaks at different times, just let me know if you need to complete the flex class on a different schedule and I'll add extra weeks. I'll still post new lessons each week but will know that your learner will be needing extra time.** This 6-week flex class provides a deeper dive into genetics than I am able to do in my live classes, specifically for older students or those with a particular interest in genetics, biology, or a medical career. Each week will include a recorded lesson covering the topic in detail. There will be no live zoom meetings so all interaction will occur asynchronously in the classroom. In each lesson, I assume that learners have no prior knowledge on the subject but within the lesson we will reach a level of understanding that most students don't reach until high school. I use models (made from cut paper, pipe cleaners, polymer clay, etc) to demonstrate the concepts and students are welcome to create their own models, take notes, or draw out the topic on paper. My goal is that each student is able to use their own learning style to tackle the material--this can be with homemade manipulatives such as I use, models created in other ways, electronic modeling, taking notes on paper, or drawing. Students and I will interact regularly in the classroom. Students will submit photographs of their work and answer 3 prompts per week (related to class material and a video on Youtube that extends the learning). They should also reply to their fellow classmates. I will refer to these classroom interaction expectations during the recorded video lessons to make sure students are aware of the ways to participate. Week 1: Intro to Genetics and the Human Genome and How to Draw a Pedigree (Family Tree) What is DNA? What are genes? How has our understanding of genetics changed in the recent decades? Prior to watching the recorded lesson, students will answer a getting-to-know you question in the classroom. During the recorded lesson, students will explore the general ideas and terminology of genetics and learn how to draw a pedigree (family tree), which geneticists use in doing their work. They will create either their own pedigree or one for a famous person they are interested in. After class, students will respond to a prompt based on the material just covered. I will also post a video about the Human Genome Project and students will watch the video and respond to a discussion question about the topic. Week 2: Mitosis, Meiosis, and Inheritance How do we have identical DNA in every cell in our body? How do we have a mixture of our parents' DNA in our cells? Prior to the lesson, students will respond to a prompt in the classroom to get them thinking about the material. In this lesson we will cover the stages of mitosis and meiosis. I will use pipe cleaner models for demonstrating. Students will create their own model or draw out the concepts on paper or take notes, however they best learn! Students will post their model/notes/drawing in the classroom and respond to a prompt based on the material and respond to another person's response. A link to a video about sibling genetics will extend the learning and students will answer an additional question related to that video. Week 3: Protein Transcription How does DNA actually DO anything in the body? What is protein? Prior to the lesson, students will respond to a prompt in the classroom to get them thinking about the material. In this lesson we will cover protein transcription. I will use models made from polymer clay, toothpicks, beads, and pipe cleaners for demonstrating. Students will create their own model or draw out the concepts on paper or take notes, however they best learn! Students will post their model/notes/drawing in the classroom and respond to a prompt based on the material and respond to another person's response. A link to a video about an important protein in the body will extend the learning and students will answer an additional question related to that video. Week 4: The Genetics of Earwax Prior to the lesson, students will respond to a prompt in the classroom to get them thinking about the material. In this lesson we will learn Mendelian genetics using construction paper manipulatives. Students will create their own model or draw out the concepts on paper or take notes, however they best learn! Students will post their model/notes/drawing in the classroom and respond to a prompt based on the material and respond to another person's response. A link to a video about Mendelian genetics in peas will extend the learning and students will answer an additional question related to that video. Week 5: The Genetics of Blood Type Prior to the lesson, students will respond to a prompt in the classroom to get them thinking about the material. In this lesson we will learn about what happens when basic Mendelian genetics is complicated by the presence of multiple alleles. I will use construction paper models for demonstrating. Students will create their own model or draw out the concepts on paper or take notes, however they best learn! Students will post their model/notes/drawing in the classroom and respond to a prompt based on the material and respond to another person's response. A link to a video about the importance of blood type will extend the learning and students will answer an additional question related to that video. Week 6: Punnett Squares Prior to the lesson, students will respond to a prompt in the classroom to get them thinking about the material. In this lesson we will cover how to draw a Punnett Square using both ear wax and blood type as examples. I will use written work on paper for demonstrating. Students will create their own model or draw out the concepts on paper or take notes, however they best learn! Students will post their model/notes/drawing in the classroom and respond to a prompt based on the material and respond to another person's response. A link to a video about the future of genetics will extend the learning and students will answer an additional question related to that video.
Learning Goals
Students will gain a basic understanding of human genetics. More importantly, students will leave the class with an appreciation of the complexity and potential of the science of genetics to help people.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Nothing in this class will be or is intended to be medical advice. This is merely educational in nature and will be a surface-level overview. Your student will not be coming out of this class knowing anything about how to diagnose or treat these conditions and we will not be discussing any personal medical questions/needs. Students should come with general questions about the topic.
Supply List
Please read through the class description for a more detailed explanation. All learners will need paper and a writing implement for drawing a pedigree. If your learner will be taking notes or drawing, they will need the appropriate supplies for that. If your learner will be creating the same models as I use, they will need pipe cleaners (in several colors, just one small bag will be enough), one block of polymer clay, a few toothpicks, alphabet beads, pony beads in a few colors (one small bag will be enough), construction paper (a sheet each of red, yellow, white, and another color). If your learner has another idea for creating models, they'll need whatever supplies they will be using.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Doctoral Degree from Unviersity of Colorado School of Medicine
Bachelor's Degree in Science from University of Denver
As a family physician with a decade in private practice, I love teaching young people about how their bodies work. I believe that people who understand their bodies will take better care of them.
Reviews
Self-Paced Class
$18
weekly or $108 for all content1 pre-recorded lesson
6 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content
Completed by 29 learners
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Ages: 10-15