Lesson: Sex, Genetics & Athletics from PGED

This lesson uses athletics as a lens to examine the biology of sex differences, and how societies react to individuals with these differences. Through readings, slides and discussion, students will examine the history of sex confirmation in elite athletic competition and learn why dividing people into two sexes is not as clear-cut as it seems. Students consider the practice of defining sex by anatomy, DNA, and hormones and then think about the various viewpoints on fairness, diversity and inclusion in sports and society. The classroom activity asks students to imagine being a doctor responsible for verifying the sex of athletes in an international track and field competition while considering the realities of genetic complexity as well as the impact of their decisions on athletes and other stakeholders.

The lesson plan includes a Do Now, slideshow, and a classroom activity.

There is also video lesson that includes a Do Now question and prompts to pause and answer questions.

Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue (PGED) raises awareness about genetics and discuss how genetic technologies impact people’s lives now and in the future.

High School NGSS-aligned activities on Life Cycles, Inheritance, Animal Behavior, and Sex Development

Thank you for your interest in the Inclusive Biology Curriculum Research Project. I am Charlie Blake (they/them), an Assistant Research Professor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. I am leading a research study along with contributions and support from partners and advisors, including the folks at Gender Inclusive Biology (https://www.genderinclusivebiology.com/). I am currently recruiting high school life science teachers for the 2024-2025 school year. If you are able to participate, I would supply you with four activities (NGSS-aligned) that you would use whenever they fit into your teaching schedule. I would then invite your class to participate in some short pre- and post- surveys and invite a few students in each class to do interviews. The topic areas of the lesson materials are: Reproductive Life Cycles, Genetic Inheritance, Animal Bodies and Mating Behavior, and Sex Determination and Development. Even if you can’t do all the lesson topics you can still participate. A small stipend is available for all participating teachers!

“Inclusive Biology Curriculum Impacts on Students” IRB approved protocol #2171

If you would like to use the lesson plans but are unable to participate in the study, I will still share the activities with you, but I hope you will consider joining the study!

Google form to request the activities https://forms.gle/u5G6MbygvqunXH366

 

Thanks for all your help,

Charlie

 

Dr. Charlie Blake (they/them)

Assistant Research Professor

STEM Center for Research, Education, & Outreach

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Ancient Skeletal Remains: Sex, Gender, And Archaeology

In this lesson for high school life sciences, students explore case studies of human remains that have challenged scientists’ ideas about how gender and sex operated in ancient times to help us better understand how gender, sex, and sexuality change our bodies and our stories in the present day.

Lewis Steller created this lesson as part of the Science Friday Educator Collaborative.

LGBTQIA Science/STEM Etymology

This is a partial list of root words that occur in both LGBTQIA issues and STEM content. Each root word has its own poster. This is a tool to help teachers integrate gender-inclusive themes into their teaching.

You might ask students to speculate on the meaning of a new science word like “homozygous” based on the meaning of the familiar word “homosexual”. Or you might have students write formal definitions of “transgender” and “cisgender” to apply their vocabulary after a lesson on cis- and trans-isomers. By taking a quick moment to make the connection, you can improve student literacy and affirm diverse identities in your classroom.