Key Stage 3 - DNA detectives Notes for teachers At a glance In this lesson students experience first-hand how collaboration between scientists helps make scientific discoveries. In their first task they try and build a simple molecule using clues and see how important it is to share information to build up a theory. They then watch the video Give us a hand that introduces them to the concept of chirality in molecules such as DNA. Finally, they combine this knowledge to build a paper model of DNA. Students will do this by formulating and improving their own hypotheses based on the real evidence collected by scientists in the past. Learning Outcomes Students describe how molecules are formed when atoms bond together Students recall that chiral molecules are those that have a different structure from their mirror image Students explain why it took work from many scientists to develop an understanding of the structure of DNA Each pair of students will need 1 copy of the pupil worksheet 1 clue card cut from page 2 of the pupil worksheet scissors sticky tape glue colouring pens/pencils molymods: 5 hydrogens (white), 1 nitrogen (blue), 1 carbon (black), 1 oxygen (red) and 7 long bonds Possible Lesson Activities Starter activity
Key Stage 3 - DNA detectives Notes for teachers At a glance In this lesson students experience first-hand how collaboration between scientists helps make scientific discoveries. In their first task they try and build a simple molecule using clues and see how important it is to share information to build up a theory. They then watch the video Give us a hand that introduces them to the concept of chirality in molecules such as DNA. Finally, they combine this knowledge to build a paper model of DNA. Students will do this by formulating and improving their own hypotheses based on the real evidence collected by scientists in the past. Learning Outcomes Students describe how molecules are formed when atoms bond together Students recall that chiral molecules are those that have a different structure from their mirror image Students explain why it took work from many scientists to develop an understanding of the structure of DNA Each pair of students will need 1 copy of the pupil worksheet 1 clue card cut from page 2 of the pupil worksheet scissors sticky tape glue colouring pens/pencils molymods: 5 hydrogens (white), 1 nitrogen (blue), 1 carbon (black), 1 oxygen (red) and 7 long bonds Possible Lesson Activities Starter activity