Description
Genetics isn’t destiny! In this lesson, students investigate how the environment can shape traits—from changes in flower color to differences in personality and disease risk—revealing the fascinating interaction between genes and the environment.
The interactive Google Slides guide students through concepts step by step, using drag and drop practice, visual learning, and built in critical thinking. No direct instruction needed!
Students work individually or with a partner to complete 29 interactive Google Slides while also filling out guided student notes. These aren’t simple fill-in-the-blank notes—students must process and apply information from the slides to build real understanding.
This resource includes an optional extension worksheet where students explore the top five environmental risk factors for one of the fastest growing diseases among teens – Type 2 diabetes. They can work alone or with a partner to brainstorm why more teens are encountering the risk factors and how they personally, and as a society, can minimize the risk.
Perfect for:
- Your genetics unit
- Sub plans
- Independent learning
- Flipped classroom
- Station work
- Review or re-teaching
Students will…
- Define traits and distinguish between physical and behavioral characteristics of organisms.
- Explain how genes and the environment interact to influence traits.
- Analyze real-world examples of environmental influences on traits, including changes in flower color, leaf shape, fur color, and human health.
- Identify genetic vs. environmental factors that influence traits in plants and humans.
- Examine how scientists study nature vs. nurture, including the use of twin studies.
- Apply their understanding to a real-world health example by analyzing how both genes and environmental risk factors contribute to Type 2 diabetes.
What’s Included in the Genes and the Environment Lesson:
- 29 Interactive Google Slides
- Google Slides Key
- 2-page Student Notes (printable + digital)
- Student Notes Key
- Extension Activity: Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes
- Teaching Guide
Make genetics meaningful and engaging—with zero prep and maximum student interaction!
- Zero prep – assign the Slides, print the notes!
- Built-in guided notes – encourages active learning
- Visually engaging – image-rich slides, no walls of text
- Interactive learning – drag-and-drop, labeling, matching & more
- Supports independent work and student discovery
- Perfect for high school biology
The whole resource is 100% editable!
Click here to see a preview of the Genes and the Environment Lesson!
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