Skip to content
8r Resources
Module 8 Genomes

Resources

Additional activities, a behind-the-scenes gallery, recommended books, and more.
scroll down

About this Guide

Something New

One of the great things about a career in teaching science is hearing about advances in science knowledge as they happen.   I’ve had a chance to experience the start of epigenetics as a field, rising interest in the microbiome of bacteria living within humans, new drugs like antivirals, and now the creation of entirely new organisms with genetic technologies.  It is sometimes alarming, but always exciting!
Lesley

More Protein Synthesis

This video is a walk through a protein synthesis puzzle that can help clarify the steps from a gene to a chain of amino acids.
Have some fun with DNA and protein synthsis modeling; it is understanding the structures and processes that counts.

Additional Activities

Even if you are not a fan of rodents, these mice may reduce end-of-term stress just a bit.

Feather Collection

If you run across feathers that you would like to add a collection, use gloves for handling and place them is a sealed plastic bag for a week.  This will kill off parasites like lice and mites.  Keep the feather out of light, not all pigments are light stable.  Use online guides for identification.  Be aware that not all feathers can be collected or traded: body parts of endangered species, including feathers, are typically off limits for collectors. 

Faux vs. Real

If you are building a study collection, you may be able to get real specimens from resale shops.  We have used old mink stoles, raccoon hats, and mounted game birds in our classes over the years.  Another option is using replicas, which in some cases less expensive and may come from a more sustainable source.  Either way, these can be powerful educational materials that engage multiple senses.
They are called “junk journals” because they are often constructed from old book covers and scrap papers, but they can be quite intricate.  An interesting journal may motivate data collection and production of more elaborate data visualizations.  

Local Hatcheries

If you don’t have farms to visit in your area, you may have fish hatcheries raising generations of animals for food consumption or release into waterways.  Most have interpretive signage and the ability to interact with some of the fish.  The animal care involved in keeping thousands of animals healthy with minimal expenditures is fascinating.

Aquarium

A freshwater aquarium can be relatively inexpensive to set up and low maintenance for many years of study.  Key considerations are whether you are keeping cool or warm water fish (need a heater), whether the fish are from faster moving water (need more aeration) and whether they need live foods which can be more costly.  Purchase a large tank if possible to minimize fluctuations in water conditions, and add animals slowly after nitrogen-processing bacteria and plants have had an opportunity to establish in the substrate.

Behind-the-Scenes

Guinea pigs thrive in space, and the larger canvas-bottomed cages can be linked together to form 4-foot to 12-foot long sections. Nothing is better than watching guinea pigs running, whistling, and "bronco-ing" in a grass-filled cage.

Favorite Cage

Guinea pigs thrive in space, and the larger canvas-bottomed cages can be linked together to form 4-foot to 12-foot long sections. Nothing is better than watching guinea pigs running, whistling, and “bronco-ing” in a grass-filled cage.
Most of the porcupines in our state are in the High Desert of Eastern Oregon. You can find quill evidence, but these reclusive animals rarely seek out human interactions.

Porcupines

Most of the porcupines in our state are in the High Desert of Eastern Oregon. You can find quill evidence, but these reclusive animals rarely seek out human interactions.
If you have pet birds or well-trafficked bird feeders, you know that its not just feathers you get in return. Birds can form strong social bonds with humans and some species lave long life spans and can learn from their many adventures.

Feathered Friends

If you have pet birds or well-trafficked bird feeders, you know that its not just feathers you get in return. Birds can form strong social bonds with humans and some species lave long life spans and can learn from their many adventures.
Even if you have multiple birds that interact together, having a large cage filled with different foods, chews, and an assortment of interactive toys is a good idea. This not only gives the birds something to do, it can reduce stress-related illnesses.

Build a House

Even if you have multiple birds that interact together, having a large cage filled with different foods, chews, and an assortment of interactive toys is a good idea. This not only gives the birds something to do, it can reduce stress-related illnesses.
If you live by water, and so many humans do, the cultural impact of fish is probably something reflected in a wide range of art and collectibles.

Fish Display

If you live by water, and so many humans do, the cultural impact of fish is probably something reflected in a wide range of art and collectibles.
We spend most of our time learning outside of the conventional classroom walls and hope you do too!

Best Classroom

We spend most of our time learning outside of the conventional classroom walls and hope you do too!
8r Resources

Hurry up and Wait

Mark gets the shot of fish fry and adult trout by waiting long enough for them to habituate (ignore).

Back up!

Sebastian and Mortimer associate the camera with treats, and it’s almost impossible to keep them from filling the screen and nibbling on the lens.

Accidental Cross

Our mutant strain of flightless fruit flies have crossed with a wild strain that came in with grocery store fruit, and we now have large and assertive flying fruit flies everywhere.

Follow the Fruit

Our secret to photographing animals, whether its birds in the bushes or fruit flies in the kitchen, is to wait quietly next to a pile of fruit.

Recommended Books

Learn from the best: Nigel Holmes has had a significant impact on data presentation.

Learn from the best: Nigel Holmes has had a significant impact on data presentation.

Any Edward Tufte book is worth having: data takes on a new life.

Any Edward Tufte book is worth having: data takes on a new life.

Modern updates on data visualization and the conversion of data to knowledge.

Modern updates on data visualization and the conversion of data to knowledge.

Build a Library

Whether its digital or print, collect resources that assist in exploring, describing, and explaining the natural world.
 

AnimalBio Home

Course Overview

Module 8

Genomes

Direct Link to Canvas

Submit Products