OpenSciEd is a nonprofit organization that brings together educators, philanthropic organizations, curriculum developers, and professional development providers to improve science education through the development and implementation of high-quality, freely available science instructional materials. The goal of OpenSciEd is to ensure that all educators, from elementary to high school, have access to a free, coherent, rigorous, research-based set of instructional materials that will support all students in meeting the vision for science literacy described in A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards.
Score: 8
Awarded the NGSS Design Badge
Science Discipline: Life Science, Engineering
Length: Unit
Year Reviewed: 2023
Who gets cancer and why? What can we do about it? This unit is designed to deepen student understanding of inheritance and variation of traits through an exploration of cancer as a phenomenon. In the first lesson set, students explore the genetic basis of cancer by investigating what cancer is and how mutations that can increase risk for cancer occur. While there are many genes implicated in cancer, the unit focuses on p53, a tumor suppressor gene that is involved in many different cancers. In Lesson Set 2, students investigate cancer caused by mutations that occur throughout our lifetimes, inherited mutations, and how the environment can cause mutations. In the third lesson set, students investigate additional factors that explain differences across the US in both instances of cancer and mortality, access and feasibility of treatment options, and explore the role of health navigator as a way to advocate for and help support friends and family that may be experiencing cancer.
Link to Materials
The following link will direct you to the OpenSciEd Unit B.3 Inheritance & Variation of Traits unit page: B.3 Inheritance & Variation of Traits
NGSS Design Badge
Awarded: Jan 30, 2024
Awarded To: OpenSciEd Unit B.3 Inheritance & Variation of Traits
The NGSS Design Badge is awarded only to the version of this unit that was reviewed. If any modifications are made to this unit, the revised version cannot be promoted as having earned the badge.
Reviews & Questions
No comments submitted