Genetics Project

Information Packet
Introduction
You will be doing research regarding a topic in genetics. You will choose to research either a
disorder or an advance in science. By the end of your research, you should become an
“expert” about your chosen genetic topic. You will be required to create a presentation through
Google Apps, photo story, or brochure about your disorder, which you will present to your
class period.
Additionally, experts will need to create a sign for the topic. The sign can be either a public
service announcement or an advertisement in a magazine,
We will be using 6 full class periods to do research and work on the project at school. This
should be plenty of time to get the needed information and to work on your project. Be sure
to use your time wisely! If you cannot finish putting your project together during this time, you
will have to work on it outside of class.
Required Research Information for the Project:
Your project should include the information below. You will be given a separate “research
packet” with these questions on it in order to guide you through the process. In your project,
you will not just be answering these questions with a “yes” or a “no.” You need to thoroughly
explain each one. This will enable you to have enough information for your final project. You
may not be able to find answers to all of the questions below, but you should be able to
address each section as thoroughly as possible.
For Disorders For Genetic Advance:
I. Introduction Introduction
a. Name of the disorder a. Name of technology/ treatment/ advance
b. Any other names? If so, what are they?
b. New/ old? What year was this developed?
c. Give a BRIEF overview about this genetic
c. Give a BRIEF overview about this genetic
topic.
topic.
II. Symptoms of the Disorder
II. Importance
a. Features or symptoms of the disorder?
a. Why is this useful?
b. How long does it take for these
b. How is this utilized in society?
symptoms to show?
c. Examples of cases
c. Is the disorder life threatening?
d. Are some cases that are more severe
d. Are some cases of this disorder than others? If so, what type of treatment?
more severe than others? III. Testing
e. It is the disorder found more commonly in a. What type of testing is needed?
certain groups of people?
b. Who are the “subjects”?
III. Treatment
c. How long do results take?
a. Can the symptoms or results of the
disorder be helped/treated?
b. Is there a cure for the disorder?
IV. Detection/ Diagnosis
a. Can the disorder be detected Prenatally?
b. How is the disorder detected after birth?
c. Is there any way to detect a carrier
of the disorder?
V. Interesting Facts
a. Find at least two other interesting facts
about your disorder.
VI. Works Cited (Bibliography)
a. Somewhere on your project
(generally the end), you must
include a list of the websites or
other materials that you used for
your research.
b. NO WIKIPEDIA as a resource! It
is not reliable and you will lose
points on your project if you use it!
c. AT LEAST THREE resources for
your project.
d. What are the results called?
IV. Results
a. What are the benefits of this type of
scientific research?
b. What are the cons of this type of research?
c. Give examples for each
V. Interesting Facts
a. Find at least two other interesting facts
about your disorder.
VI. Works Cited (Bibliography)
a. Somewhere on your project (generally the
end), you must include a list of the websites
or other materials that you used for your
research.
b. NO WIKIPEDIA as a resource! It
is not reliable and you will lose
points on your project if you use it!
c. AT LEAST THREE resources for
your project.

**Remember you must use your own words on your project. Do not “copy” pieces of a
website or article into your text and claim that the author’s words are yours. This is
part of MY rules as well as being included in your student handbook. This is
PLAGIARISM, and you will lose MAJOR points on your project if you plagiarize.**
Other Project Requirements:
• Part of your grade for this project will come from creativity and neatness of the
presentation and sign you make. Make your project eye-catching and easy to read
(text should be large enough to see), but not DISTRACTING. To assist you, use lots of
visuals and pictures in your project (you are required to have at least FOUR on the
presentation and ONE for the sign)!
• I will deduct 2 points for each spelling or grammar error that I see (with a maximum
loss of 6 points), so be sure to proofread carefully.
• If you work with a partner on this project, you will be required to fill out a “Peer
Evaluation” concerning your partner’s performance while putting the project together.
 • If you work with a partner, split up the work equally, but be sure that you agree with
your partner's portion of the work. You are both responsible for the final product as
well as the presentation.
• I will monitor your progress while working on computers each day. You will receive
two points every day for staying on task. If you are off task and not working on the
project, I will deduct points. These 12 points will be added onto your final project
grade.
• Make sure your presentation is no longer than five minutes.
• During your presentation, be prepared for your classmates (or me) to ask questions!
Remember, you should be an “expert” on your disorder, so show us that you are!
In-Class Research Dates
The following dates will be dedicated to working on your project in class. If you finish your
project early, come prepared with something else to do during class!
March 4 (this will be more of an introduction day), March 5, March 6, March 7, March 8
and March 11, March 12
Good Places to Begin Online Research:
http://www.medlineplus.gov
http://www.mayoclinic.com/
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/disorders/whataregd/
http://www.yourgenesyourhealth.org/
http://www.genome.gov/10001204
http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/chsd99gvrl (ID: library)

Saving Your Project

Find your choice below to determine how you will be saving each day:

Presentation When to share How to turn in Label as

Google Share right away On Google Drive Period #_Last
(with your partner names_
Presentation
and -Print all slides prior GeneticsProject
kgemmell@ccsd66.or to presentation
g)

Photostory Save to your -When DONE turn in Period #_Last

personal drive each to “Gemmell Turn in” names_
day in the H Drive GeneticsProject

-Print all slides prior

to presentation
 Brochure Save to your -When DONE turn in Period #_Last
personal drive each to “Gemmell Turn in” names_
day in the H Drive GeneticsProject

-Print all slides prior

to presentation

Signs or Public What to use How to turn in

Service
Announcement
Print up the sign when you are through,
Comic Life making SURE you have your name and
period on there.
Publisher

Google App

Presentation Dates
You will need to choose a presentation date on the sign-up sheet. Four or five students will
be able to do their presentations each day. If you fail to have your presentation ready on your
assigned day, you will lose 10 points for every day that you are late.

ü Wednesday, March 13th

ü Thursday, March 14th
ü Friday, March 15th

Final Thoughts
Your grade will be determined by the rubric on the next page. Refer to it often while working
on your project to ensure that you receive the grade that you would like. This project is worth
as much as a test grade, so do your best!
Name _______________________________ Disorder/ Advance: ____________________________

Grading Catagories Graded Components Your points

Research Section/ Completely addresses the following: _____/ 23
Presentation üIntroduction (3 pts) _______
üSymptoms (3 pts) _______
üTreatment (3 pts) _______
üDetection (3 pts) _______
üInteresting facts (3 pts) _______
üWorks Cited (with at least 3 sources) (3 pts) _______
üTurns in completed “Research Packet” (5 pts)
_______

Format ( 2 points üProject is easy to read _______ ____/6

each)
üUses appropriate word choice for a 7th grader
_______
üGood use of relevant images/pictures (at least 4)
_______

Research and Sign üIncludes at least 2 interesting facts _______ _____/6

üIncludes either a way to prevent or to treat the disorder
_______
Includes at least 1 picture__________

Neatness and Neatness _______ _____/4

Creativity Eye-catching and attractive (colors, text, etc.) _______

Spelling and Grammar Error 1 _______ Error 2 _______Error 3 _______ ____/6

Peer Evaluation Based on your partner evaluation ____/5

Computer Work Based on being “on-task” during research days _____/10

(computer time)
Class Presentation Loud and clear speaking voice _______ ____/10
Good eye contact _______
Preparation is evident _______
You are knowledgeable about your topic _______
Listens to other presentations _______

Total _____/70