Background

The 5 E’s

Student Activity

Canine Caper
  Fifi
  Gus
  Blanket
     Blood
  Electrophesis
     Gel

PCR

Doggy
Inheritance

Genome
Connection

Bibliography

Group
Projects

Teaching Strategy—The 5 E’s

Methodology:
Engage—

Pictorial collage of students' pets
Ascent of the Dog, background reading and guided questions

Explore—

Canine Caper, Paper pencil PCR and gel electrophoresis

Explain—

 Background and Technical Info. on PCR/Gel Electrophoresis

Elaborate—

Dog DNA fingerprint (PCR/ Electrophoresis lab)
Data comparison with American Kennel Club

Elaborate—

Teaching Genetic Principles Through Dog Inheritance of Traits

Evaluate—

Genome Quest
Applications to consequences of selective breeding
Extensions to human genome project

Engage
Pictorial collage of students' pets
Background reading and guided questions

General Objectives

1. Familiarize students with the species concept
2. Investigate the connection between DNA sequences and characteristics (phenotypes)
3. Study the events in the evolution of the domesticated dog
4. Make a personal connection to the program by contributing pictures of their pets (or the pet they would like to have) to a classroom collage
5. Illustrate an example of natural and artificial selection
6. Begin the discussion on the application of genome mapping
7. Familiarize students with the meaning and use of microsatellites.

Explore
Canine Caper: Paper pencil PCR and gel electrophoresis

 General Objectives

1. Familiarize students with the events of Polymerase Chain Reaction
2. Familiarize students with the identification and role of primers in PCR.
3. Students will become familiar with the events and analysis of gel electrophoresis

Explain
Background and Technical Information About PCR/Gel Electrophoresis

 General Objectives

1. Provide a common knowledge-base for teacher and students on how PCR and Gel Electrophoresis work
2. Explain the vocabulary and steps in running PCR and Gel Electrophoresis

Elaborate
Collection/Purification/PCR and Gel Electrophoresis of Doggy DNA for Fingerprinting

General Objectives

1. Sterile techniques for collection of dog saliva
2. Use of micropipets and lab technique
3. Use of centrifuge
4. Use of PCR machine
5. Casting and loading gels
6. Running of gel electrophoresis
7. Analysis of gel after electrophoresis

Elaborate
Teaching Genetic Principles through Dog Inheritance of Traits

General Objectives

1. Give examples of inheritance patterns using dog traits
2. Introduce simple dominance, codominance, incomplete dominance, pleitropic, epistasis, and sex-linked inheritance of traits.

Evaluate
Genome Quest

General Objectives

1. Use of computer as a tool for integrating information and gathering information
2. Illustrate the genetic similarities between dogs and humans
3. Stimulate discussion about the benefits for dogs and humans of mapping the canine genome and the human genome
4. Stimulate discussion on the ethical dilemmas raised by having a map of the human genome