Title: Introduction to Probability for Heredity Unit

Submitted by: David Elson and Justine Thomas

Short description: [one or two sentences only]

Using interactive whiteboard and web resources, we introduce the students to probability assessment in order to help with their study of heredity.

Duration of lesson(s):

One double lab period (two 45 minute sessions)

Grade level(s) and/or target group(s):

8^th grade

Subject(s):

Science – biology and math

Technologies used:

Objectives:

Familiarize students with:

• Concept of probability

• Calculating/estimating empirical probabilities

• Reasoning about theoretical probabilities

• Testing probability estimations with actual trials

Key Questions/Driving Questions:

What are the odds of passing a trait from one generation to the next?

Prerequisites and Sequence of Lessons in Unit:

• Prerequisite: Introduction to heredity (Mendel and pea plant experiments)

• Introduction to probability

• Linking of Mendel’s experiments and probability

Lesson Introduction:

In order to understand the way heredity works, the class will need to first learn the basics of probability, since the passing of traits from one generation to the next can be observed as relying on chance.

Lesson Core:

Probability is estimated by dividing the number of outcomes in the desired case by the total number of possible outcomes.

Lesson Closure:

Once the class knows how probability is estimated, it will learn the relevance of this concept to heredity by working with Punnet squares and seeing their probabilistic underpinnings.

Evaluation/Assessments:

Students will be given individual writing assignments asking them to articulate the connections between heredity and probability.  In addition, students will conduct an in-class group lab to experiment with probability assessment (via coin flipping), and be tested on the material.