| Biology |
Lesson
3: DNA discovery |
| Curriculum
Key: |
AQA
Core 10.8 |
OCRA
B1 |
OCRB
B1g |
Edexcel
topic 2 |
Objective(s)
1.
Understand that there are different
types of scientists, some methodical
and some inspirational.
2. Learn that scientific discovery
is often a race and not always
fair.
|
Resources
needed
Audio
cassette player
Time line card sort
Pegs/paperclips
String. |
Starter:
10
minutes
Teacher
asks who has heard of DNA and
who discovered it. Explains that
DNA controls everything about
us and that in the 1950s many
scientists were trying to find
out the structure of DNA so that
they could explain how it works.
Audio clip from BBC Book of the
Week “Rosalind Franklin. The Dark
Lady of DNA”. |
Teacher
input/assessment
After
clip ask if Rosalind Franklin
had been fairly treated. |
Main
Activity 1: 25
minutes
Card
sort. Cards
have details of incidents and
dates leading up to discovery
of structure of DNA. Students
sort and turn into a time line.
Students attach to “washing line”.
Alternative for higher ability
students, card set without dates
and with accompanying text.
If time permits, ask students
to consider the conditions which
enabled Rosalind’s work to be
ignored, and whether this could
happen now. What do scientists
do to avoid plagiarism?.
|
Teacher
input / assessment
Teacher to circulate, questioning
students about their choices.
|
Plenary:
10
minutes
Discussion
about different ways scientists
can work – methodical like RF
or inspirational like Watson and
Crick (who did no experimental
work).
Ask if students have heard of
any famous women scientists.
Students’ vote whose work was
most important in discovery of
DNA, Franklin or Watson and Crick.
A more structured plenary could
focus on the outcomes to measure
the learning that has taken place.
|
Teacher
input / assessment
Lead
discussion.
Emphasise how important it is
that scientists share information. |
Learning
Outcomes:
All
students must: Understand
that the structure of DNA was
discovered in 1953.
Most
students should: Understand
that scientists may disagree with
each other and scientific discoveries
can be a race.
Some
students could: Understand
that two different types of scientific
investigation resulted in the
elucidation of DNA structure Understand
that not all scientific researchers
are credited with their discoveries. |
Key
Skills: Literacy,
analysis of text, teamwork, communication,
listening
Key
words: DNA,
X ray crystallography, double
helix
Homework:
Research
another woman scientist. |
Differentiation:
More
able: Understand
the importance of open discussion
and scientific research.
Less
able: Understand
that different types of scientific
research can result in discoveries. |
