Let's Talk Science Queen's chapter has teamed up with the internationally acclaimed SpongeLab interactive to bring you the History of Biology - an interactive online scavenger hunt educational game. It is designed to facilitate critical thinking, develop problem-solving skills, and engage in scientific methods of deduction and discovery by taking players through topics of cell theory, microscopes, evolution, mechanisms of heredity, the central dogma of genetics, genomics and the future of biological science.
History of Biology is an interactive, online science scavenger hunt where students experience the history of biology through the people and the impact their discoveries had, and continues to have on our culture, society, politics, economics, and ethics. Starting in the 17th Century, with the invention of microscopes and the first descriptions of microscopic life, players progress through a rich story-line driven game that parallels the scientific timeline of discovery. As they pass through levels, students complete weekly missions and solve puzzles by researching the lives and discoveries of over 20 scientists.
The Let's Talk Science team will visit the class in person and virtually to provide guidance and stimulate critical thinking through various articles and media, and engage students in thoughtful discussions on topics pertaining to the project. Participation prizes will also be distributed, along with a grand prize for top participant!
Full details of the project length, focus themes and workplan will be defined by your available classroom time, lesson plans for the semester and topics you would like us to focus on & incorporate. The following are some themes we hope to include:
- Diversity of living things
- Cell theory & cell division
- Discovery of microorganisms
- Microscopes, classification and taxonomy
- The central dogma of genetics and the universal code
- Evolution and genetic processes
- Heredity & DNA
- Genomics and manipulation of genes
- Synthetic life, nano-technology
- Advancements in technology: printing press, industrial revolution, Internet
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Ethics of scientific research, cloning, bioengineering, patenting life, & more!
Additional Resources
SpongeLab