After defining what Genetically Modified Organisms are (and what they are not), students proceed through a series of themed activities that explore the use of GMOs in the food industry. From mythbusting pseudo-scientific news articles to comparing GMO food labelling laws in Canada to the rest of the world, this suitcase engages students in discussion about the potential benefits and concerns surrounding GMOs.
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What’s included?
An introduction for teachers — GMO Background Articles
• A Race to Save the Orange by Altering Its DNA — article from The New York Times
• The Future of Food — article by Margaret McLean from Santa Clara University
• GMO Crops and Regulation — article from The Parliamentary Office of Science and Tech
An introduction for Students — Get them thinking!
• Poll – Bon Appetit — laminated poster
• Food for Thought Q & A — laminated sheet
• Common Misconceptions Quiz — laminated sheet
Themes
Each theme includes a set of questions to guide students through the information. The themes can be used as stations that students can work through independently.
Myth Busting
• Question & Answer Cards — laminated cards
• Frequently Asked Questions on Genetically Modified Foods — article from WHO
• A Hard Look at GMO Crops — article from Nature
• Core Truths: 10 Common GMO Claims Debunked — article from Popular Science
• Busting GMO Myths — article from UCR Magazine
• Genetically Modified Crop on the Loose — article from Scientific American
• Autism Increase Mystery Solved — article from Genetic Literacy Project
GMO Labeling
• GMO Food Labeling Laws Around the World — laminated poster
• Cereal Boxes (actual packaging)
• GMO Labeling Questions
GMO Worldwide
• World map of where GMOs are grown, imported and/or used — laminated poster
• Where is GM Today? — laminated poster
• GM Crops: A Story in Numbers — article from Nature
• GMOs Worldwide and their Modifications — laminated poster
GMO Technology
• Genetics Review
• How Our Food is Grown — laminated poster
• Methods of Plant Breeding — laminated poster
• From Traditional Breeding to Transgenics — laminated poster
• How do GMOs go from Lab to Lunch? — laminated poster
• Genetic Engineering — laminated poster
• The Science of Cheese — article from Biotech Learning Hub
• Chymosin — article from National Centre for Biotechnology Education
• GMO Technology — video links for additional resources
• Question & Answer cards
Careers
• Careers — laminated poster
• Careers — video links for additional resources
Classroom Activities
After the students have worked through the themes, they will be equipped to participate in a GMO debate!
• Poll – What Should Our Food Tell Us? — laminated sheet
• Poll – Classroom Opinion Poll/Assessment — laminated sheet
• Game – The Mysterious Case of the GMOs — instructions, activity cards, follow up activities
• Game – Real Life GMOs — instructions, activity cards
• Videos — video links for additional resources
Wrap Up and Review
• Review Questions – Food for Thought — laminated sheet
• Review & Poll Questions – Bon Appetit! — laminated sheet
• Poll – Classroom Opinion Poll/Assessment — laminated sheet.