DNA WebQuest
Another Phyology Production

Introduction:

Your medical consulting corporation (your lab group) has been hired by the Clayton County School Board to create an educational unit that will explain the structure and function of DNA to the average High School Student (Be sure the project remains focused on your target audience).  Your explanation should include typed information, a power point presentation and a rap/poem/song.  You will have to do some of the work outside of class in order to complete this project.

The Task:

You will be working in a team of 2 members.  Your group must work as a unified team to become DNA experts.  To better understand what working as a team means, please read from the web site, Building Consensus http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/staffdev/tpss99/processguides/consensus.html

Helpful Hints on Group Work

Four words sum up successful group work:

Co-ordination

being able to co-ordinate meeting times and places

Co-operation

being able to put aside individual concerns and work together for the good of the group

Organization

being able to use time and resources wisely and efficiently

Communication

being able to really listen when other group members speak and to choose your words carefully

 

Choose a creative name for your medical corporation; include this name and the names of all the research associates (group members) on all parts of this project.  Each member of your team must research and explain DNA basics.  The research areas include the history of DNA discovery (the scientists and the timeline), and DNA structure and function.

Your team will be responsible for 3 different tasks.  I strongly advise you NOT to divide your labor strictly along these lines, as each individual will be responsible for knowing all of the subject matter involved in this WebQuest.  Your tasks are:

1.      Research and write a report about the listed scientists.

2.      Research and build a PowerPoint presentation explaining DNA replication, transcription, and translation .

3.   Compose and perform an original song, poem, or rap about DNA, DNA replication, transcription, translation, etc.

The Process and Resources:

Some websites have been suggested that may be helpful, but do not limit your research to these alone.  Your team will complete the following *3 steps:

 

*1. Look up the following scientists and explain in a written report how each scientist had a role in our current understanding of DNA.  Your report should include a timeline that summarizes the history of DNA science.  The following website may be helpful. http://www.accessexcellence.org/AB/WYW/wkbooks/SFTS/sidebarmilestone.html

·        Frederick Miescher - http://vector.cshl.org/dnaftb/15/concept/index.html (Select the animation key and then the bio key)

·        Phoebus Levene - http://vector.cshl.org/dnaftb/15/concept/index.html (Select the animation button and then the bio button

·        James Watson and Francis Crick - http://www.accessexcellence.org/AB/WYW/wkbooks/SFTS/part1.html

·        Rosalind Franklin - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/bofran.html

·        Oswald Avery - http://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/CC/

·        Alfred Hershey, Frederick Griffith, Martha Chase, Colin McLeod, Maurice Wilkins

 

Additional websites to assist in researching the scientists:

 

·        http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio104/dna.htm

·        http://library.thinkquest.org/20465/griffith.html

Help With Report Writing:

·         http://www.ipl.org/teen/aplus/

·         http://www.studyweb.com/links/1120.html

*2. PowerPoint Presentation - Your team will explain the process of DNA replication, transcription, and translation.  A bibliography your sources of information should be included, as well as explanations of the following terms and concepts:

polymer

4 nucleotides of DNA

3 parts of a nucleotide 

 sugar-phosphate backbone

hydrogen bond   

covalent bond 

 double helix 

DNA

RNA

messenger RNA (mRNA)

transfer RNA  (tRNA)

 ribosomal RNA (rRNA)

base pairing 

 codon

translation

transcription

 replication

gene  

 mutation 

ribosome

mutagen

chromosomal mutation

frameshift mutation

point mutation

protein

 

 

 

                          

 

Help Using Power Point:

·        http://www.microsoft.com/education/tutorial/workshop/default.asp -productivity tools help

Help With Citing Sources:  

·         Assembling a List of Works Cited in Your Paper
 

*3.  FreeStyle Friday @ 106 & A-Hall - Compose and perform an original song, poem, or rap about DNA - you may use musical instruments and choreographed steps to accompany your performance - make sure your text include facts you have learned about DNA

·        Or another DNA activity approved by your teacher.    

Websites that might help:

·         http://www.accessexcellence.com/atg/data/released/0531-KathyParis/description.html - modeling DNA and giving a guided tour thru it

·         http://www.accessexcellence.com/atg/data/released/0532-KathyParis/description.html - DNA scavenger hunt

·         http://www.accessexcellence.com/AE/newatg/Paris.DNAmodel/model.html - DNA checklist

·         http://www.accessexcellence.com/AE/newatg/Paris.DNAmodel/index.html - tour thru DNA

·         http://www.woodrow.org/teachers/bi/1994/a_lab.html - a good model of DNA

·         http://www.woodrow.org/teachers/bi/1994/codon_bingo.html - codon bingo

·         http://library.thinkquest.org/28599/experiment_making_a_candy_model.htm - DNA model w/candy

·         http://chem.lapeer.org/Bio2Docs/DNAProject.html - DNA model

Additional websites:

 

·        http://vector.cshl.org/dnaftb/15/concept/index.html   DNA from the Beginning - This is a great website; try numbers 15 – 24.  Be sure to click on the various buttons.

      What is DNA?

 DNA Structure Tutorial

·        http://www.eurekascience.com/ICanDoThat/dna_genes.htm DNA, Genes and Things

·        http://www.thetech.org/hyper/genome/ DNA: An Instructional Manual for Life

     DNA Structure

 

Evaluation:

Your grade will be determined according to the following scale (everyone in a group gets same grade):

100% PowerPoint presentation                                                                                                                   
100% Written report
100% Freestyle Friday

 

Grades will be determined using rubrics (scoring guides).  The Rubrics are provided near the bottom of this document so that you will know what is expected of you in advance.  Please read them before you begin.  

 

Due Dates:

Class Activity - Friday, October 28

PowerPoint - Monday, October 31

Report - Tuesday, November 1

 

Conclusion:

This webquest is meant to help you understand how DNA was discovered, what it is, where it is, its structure and function, and the process of it's transcription into mRNA and translation into proteins (and - the good news - to get some relatively painless grades in the process; but - the bad news - don’t think you are getting off too easy - you will be having a test on DNA and related concepts at the end).

 

Scroll Down for Project Rubrics so that you will know what is expected before you begin.  There is also a handy dandy checklist of all the tasks to be accomplished.

 

 


 

DNA WebQuest Power Point Project Scoring Guide

Names of team members:______________________________________________________________

Title of Presentation:_________________________________________________________________

 

Criteria

Weight

0-5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Content and Organization

Title page

 

 

Separate slides for required characteristics

 

 

 

Headings clear and appropriate

 

x2

 

Phrases Informative

x3

 

In depth coverage of topic

x3

 

Presentation well planned and makes sense

 

x3

 

Graphics clear and useful communication aids

x2

 

Writing - capitalization, spelling, grammar

 

 

Bibliography slide - correct MLA format

 

 

Application of Power Point Tools and Creativity

Backgrounds or Templates used.

 

 

Graphics are creative, interesting, and support the characteristic being presented.

 

 

Transitions and Animation provide emphasis to main points and are not distracting

 

 

 

Score

 

_____/100

         

 

  

Names of team members:____________________________________________

Written Report Rubric

 

Wt.

1

2

3

4

Communicates Purpose

 

 

 

5

·  Limited awareness of audience and/or purpose

·  An attempt to establish and maintain purpose and communicate with the audience

·  Focused on a purpose; evidence of voice and/or suitable tone

·  Establishes and maintains clear focus; evidence of distinctive voice and/or appropriate tone

Depth of Idea Development

 

 

 

6

·  Minimal idea development, limited and/or unrelated details

·  Unelaborated idea development; unelaborated and/or repetitious details

·  Depth of idea development support by elaborated, relevant details

·  Depth and complexity of ideas supported by rich, engaging, and or pertinent details; evidence of analysis, reflection and insight.

Use of References

 

 

3

·  Few references, MLA format not followed

 

·  Some references, MLA format mostly correct

·  Use of references indicate ample research, correct MLA format

·  Use of references indicate substantial research, correct MLA format

Organization

 

5

·  Random or weak organization

·  Lapses in focus and/or coherence

·  Logical organization

·  Careful and/or suitable organization

 Sentence Structure

 

 

3

·  Incorrect and/or ineffective wording and/or sentence structure and/or no transitions

·  Simplistic and/or imprecise language and/or sentence structure and/or few transitions

·  Acceptable, effective language and/or varied sentence structure and/or most paragraphs have transitions

·  Precise and/or rich language and/or variety of sentence structure and length and/or well developed thoughtful transitions

Grammar and Formatting

 

 

3

·  Errors in grammar and format (e.g., spelling, punctuation, capitalization, headings)

·  Some errors in grammar and/or format that do not interfere with communication

·  Few errors in grammar or format relative to length and complexity

·  Control of surface features

Total Points

100

 

 

 

 




 

 

Name of Presenter:________________________________________________________

Type of Project:___________________________________________________________

Freestyle Project Rubric

 

 

1

2

3

Weight

Criteria

Does Not Meet

Meets

Exceeds

3X

Completeness

Inadequate Project,

 Little Effort Demonstrated

Adequate Project, Good Effort Demonstrated

Exceptional Project, Exceptional Effort Demonstrated

 

3X

Clarity

Difficult to Understand

Clear Expression of Ideas

Exceptional Clarity of Presentation

 

3X

Topic Relevant to
Current Course Content

Inadequate Explanation of Relationships to Course Topics

Related Course Topics Included and Relationships Adequately Explained

Insightful Connection
to Seemingly Unrelated Concepts

 

 

3X

Explanation of
Biological Content

Incorrect or Inadequate Explanation of Biological Content

Correct and Adequate Explanation of Biological Content

Insightful Explanation of Biological Concepts, Application of Broad Biological Concepts

36

Total Points Possible

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Checklist of Tasks for the DNA WebQuest

_____Choose a creative name for your medical corporation.

_____Include corporation name and names of all the research associates (group  members) on all materials.

_____Read the website about how to be a successful group.  

_____Read through the scoring rubrics to see what is expected for each task.

The three main tasks are:

_____Research and write a report about the listed scientists.

            _____Research 10 DNA scientists

            _____Read the report writing references to get pointers

            _____Write the History of DNA Science Report

_____Create a timeline of DNA discovery

_____Research and build a DNA Replication PowerPoint.

            _____Research the process of DNA Replication

_____Be sure to keep track of the references you use

            _____Cruise the Help Using PowerPoint Reference

            _____Create a presentation of DNA Replication

            _____Check out the Help for Citing Sources References

_____An activity or lab that will help others to understand DNA

            ______Research Structure and Function of DNA

_____Cruise the possible activities sites

_____Carry out the steps necessary to get your activity read for the class

                        _____Practice your class activity presentation

_____Review the scoring rubrics to double-check that you have met the requirements and make any changes necessary. IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU, ASK.