Virtual Scrapbook Instructions

Culminating Assessment

“DNA – Unity & Diversity of Life”
Virtual Scrapbook

What is it?

A virtual scrapbook focuses on providing Internet links to a variety of media and content types (photographs, maps, stories, facts, quotations, sound clips, videos, virtual reality tours, etc.). Scrapbook links are then used to explore aspects of a topic that you feel are important. These “scraps” are then downloaded and placed into a variety of formats: newsletter, Power Point, HyperStudio stack, or Web page.

Click here to see an example of a virtual scrapbook on Charles Darwin

Why am I doing it?

For this assessment, you will take on the role of a scientist involved in the discovery of the structure of DNA (James Watson, Francis Crick, Rosalind Franklin, Maurice Wilkins, Edwin Chargaff, Edward Beadle, or George Tatum). Choose one! Imagine that you are at the end of your career. Having collected a lot of memorabilia from your life, you have decided to make a scrapbook of your life showing the significance of your achievements. At the time of your discovery, you did not quite realize how it would revolutionize science. But now, 50 years later, you can reflect on how the structure and function of DNA unites all of life. You can also see how DNA is the vehicle for all of life's diversity.

The Nobel Prize Laureate Annual Reunion has invited you to present your life story and discuss its significance. You will present your virtual scrapbook at this engagement and explain how each page reflects the story of DNA.

How do I do it?

As you visit the following web sites, pick out the important concepts and details that will demonstrate the significance of DNA, its structure and function, and how it ties in to unity and diversity. Copy pictures, videos, sound bytes, hyper links, and any other pictoral representations that would be placed in a scrapbook to document your life and its impact on science. You may include text, but use it sparingly and only when it is vital to show an important concept. Remember that, although your scrapbook may be shown using Power Point, this is NOT just a Power Point presentation where you read off facts and information. This is a scrapbook where you document the meaning of DNA in a personal

In your presentation to the class, way. explain why you chose each piece of memorabilia and how it is important.

Where do I go?

Go to the following links to create your scrapbook:

Biographies James Watson Francis Crick Rosalind Franklin Maurice Wilkins	DNA Structure structure pictures pictures, quotes	DNA Function animations proteins
Diversity of Life pictures of plants/animals more photos of animals	General Information Nobel Laureate page animations more animations Rosalind Franklin, structure DNA gallery good quotes	Applications of DNA Human Genome Project "The Gene Scene"

How will I be evaluated?

Use the rubric to see exactly how you will be graded on this assignment.