Lesson 3 : Engineer

Time Required: 200 minutes

After solidifying the idea that both environmental and genetic factors affect growth, students turn to the arena that they can control: environment. Students design a solution to the issue of inequitable access to nutrition for children around the globe. First, students identify a community that has the genetics for healthy growth but is in need of some crucial environmental factors. They then offer a plan to help children in that region get the nutrient or vitamin they may be lacking.

MS-LS1-5

Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms. [Clarification Statement: Examples of local environmental conditions could include availability of food, light, space, and water. Examples of genetic factors could include large breed cattle and species of grass affecting growth of organisms. Examples of evidence could include drought decreasing plant growth, fertilizer increasing plant growth, different varieties of plant seeds growing at different rates in different conditions, and fish growing larger in large ponds than they do in small ponds.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include genetic mechanisms, gene regulation, or biochemical processes.]