OpenSciEd Biology + Earth & Space Unit 3: Inheritance & Variation of Traits Teacher Edition

OpenSciEd High School addresses all high school NGSS standards. This comprehensive science curriculum empowers students to question, design, investigate, and solve the world around them. 

• Phenomenon Based - Centered around exploring phenomena or solving problems
• Driven by Student Questions - Storyline based on students’ questions and ideas 
• Grounded in Evidence - Incremental building and revision of ideas based on evidence 
• Collaborative - class and teacher figure out ideas together
• Equitable - Builds a classroom culture that values ideas and learning of all

The OpenSciEd model uses a storyline approach, introducing phenomena that anchors storylines developing disciplinary core ideas, concepts, and science/engineering practices. Students are encouraged to dive deep into key points and solve problems through five activities. 

B.3 Inheritance & Variation of Traits: Who gets cancer and why? What can we do about it?

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.