In this task, students will assume the role of support group members who must discuss and individually decide on the issue of whether or not to be tested for a genetic trait or disorder. Students will read nonfiction passages regarding this issue to prepare for the support group meeting that will take the form of a Socratic Seminar. Passages should have been selected by the teacher to include examples of genetic disorders with effects that can be mitigated through early detection and appropriate diet or lifestyle choices. Students will then individually state their decisions and support them through written explanations that reference the discussion and provided passages. This lesson was developed by NCDPI as part of the Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted Instructional Resources Project. This lesson plan has been vetted at the state level for standards alignment, AIG focus, and content accuracy.

Within the physical science strand of 7th grade science, students focus on the motion of objects. In this task, students will act as engineers as they research, design, and construct competition wacky hall walkers. The inquiry nature of this project allows students to build meaningful connections while promoting 21st Century Skills. This lesson was developed by NCDPI as part of the Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted Instructional Resources Project. This lesson plan has been vetted at the state level for standards alignment, AIG focus, and content accuracy.

This task covers the idea of natural selection as a result of climate change. The task can be assigned prior to covering Objective 3.4 as an intro to natural selection or as a post assessment task once Objective 3.4 has been taught.  The task requires students to research climate change and how it drives evolution by natural selection. The task also requires students to research and explain other factors (disease, catastrophic events, competition) that can influence natural selection. This lesson was developed by NCDPI as part of the Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted Instructional Resources Project. This lesson plan has been vetted at the state level for standards alignment, AIG focus, and content accuracy.

Within the life science strand of 7th grade science, students focus on the mechanisms of cellular reproduction, patterns of inheritance, and external factors to potential variation among offspring. In this task, students will work together to create a population of sexually-reproducing Furlings, analyze the generational genotypes and phenotypes, and discover the effects of environmental change on variance within the population. The modeling of this real-world phenomenon and the interdisciplinary aspects of this lesson allow students to build meaningful connections and promote the development of 21st Century Skills. This lesson was developed by NCDPI as part of the Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted Instructional Resources Project. This lesson plan has been vetted at the state level for standards alignment, AIG focus, and content accuracy.

This task can be used to wrap up the discussion/teaching of cell organelles/DNA/RNA/protein synthesis. The task requires students to put together all they have learned about protein synthesis with new information they research to explain, in detail, the “players” involved in protein synthesis. The task asks students to develop a manual or video for new employees of the Protein Factory. The student will list each job and the description of the job for all employees involved in protein synthesis. The job description will include the role of the employee and the safety concerns for each job. This lesson was developed by NCDPI as part of the Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted Instructional Resources Project. This lesson plan has been vetted at the state level for standards alignment, AIG focus, and content accuracy.