Learning Exercise

The DNA Gazette

General biology students work in groups to produce a 1953 issue of the newspaper, The DNA Gazette to communicate their knowledge of DNA structure.

Course: General Biology 1

Material:: DNA from the Beginning
Date last modified:: February 3, 2008
Created by:: JoDale Ales
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DNA from the Beginning

DNA from the Beginning is an animated tutorial on DNA, genes and heredity. The science behind each concept is explained... see more

Material Type:: Simulation
Author:: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
User Rating:: 5 stars

Exercise

Students research Watson's and Crick's discovery of the structure of DNA using
the MERLOT website "DNA from the Beginning". They report their knowledge in a
1953 issue of The DNA Gazette daily newspaper.
Individual student contributions to the newspaper include articles on DNA
structure, historical and societal events in 1953, predictions for the future,
an interview with Watson, Crick, Wilkins, and Franklin, public reaction to the
discovery (editorial and letter to the editor), an advertisement, and a cartoon.

Disciplines

Topics

molecular genetics

Learning Objectives

The students will use Microsoft Publisher to print a newspaper that communicates visually and in writing their understanding of DNA structure and its discovery by James Watson and Francis Crick.