https://nees.org/resources/2938

7.5.2 Genes and HeredityWhy do you look a little like your mom, and a little like your dad? How come some traits skip generations? Why can't Mr. Lee ever have a blue eyed baby? I know these questions keep you up at night, so learn about genes and heredity to figure it out!

Dominant and recessive alleles, genotypes and phenotypes, inherited vs. learned traits (nature vs. nurture), Punnett Squares, homozygous and heterozygous genotypes, there are lots of new terms you must know to fully understand genetics.

But the short of it all is, we inherit genes (on chromosomes) from each of our parents. That determines much of who we are!

Activities:

Making Punnett Square:http://www.siskiyous.edu/class/bio1/genetics/monohybrid_v2.html

Genetics WebLab Directory:http://www2.edc.org/weblabs/WebLabDirectory1.html
(Try out the Mendel's Peas and Punnett Squares)

Genetics (The University of Utah):http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/
  
Transcribe and Translate a Gene
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/molecules/transcribe/

Play the "DNA-The Double Helix" replication game!
http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/medicine/dna_double_helix/dnahelix.html

Dog Breeding
http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/games/game_dogbreeding.html

Zoo Matchmaker
http://www.mnzoo.org/education/games/matchmaker/index.html 

Human Genome Project
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/BrowseGenes

Earthquakes (8.6.2)

Earthquakes are powerful natural phenomena that can cause much destruction. Once thought to be the movements of a large turtle or elephant supporting the Earth, earthquakes are now understood to be the seismic release of energy within the Earth's crust.

The first types of waves are P-waves (primary waves). They are longitudinal waves that travel quickly through the Earth's interior.

Then, come the S-waves (secondary or shear waves). These waves are transverse waves that travel only through the Earth's solid mantle, and not through its liquid outer core.

Last, come the surface waves (Love waves and Raleigh waves) that travel through the Earth's crust and causes much damage to buildings and infrastructure.

By understanding Earthquakes better, scientists are hoping to best prepare us with stronger buildings and maybe even a warning system.

Brainpop:
https://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/earthquakes/
https://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/tsunami/

Activity:
http://www.sciencecourseware.com/virtualearthquake/vquakeexecute.html
http://www.dropcoverholdon.org/beatthequake/game/ 
http://www.stopdisastersgame.org/en/playgame.html