Recommended Grade Level: 7th Grade

Description: This lesson examines how genetics and modern science tools contribute to the operations of the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District. Students will explore how mosquitoes inherit traits from their parents and how FKMCD must continually adapt its strategies and tools to remain effective at control. This lesson includes a presentation highlighting innovative mosquito control methods including Wolbachia mosquitoes, sterile insect techniques, and genetic modification followed by a “Design Your Own Mosquito” Genetics Lab activity.

Sunshine State Education Standards:

• SC.7.L.15.2 Explore the scientific theory of evolution by recognizing and explaining ways in which genetic variation and environmental factors contribute to evolution by natural selection and diversity of organisms.
• SC.7.L.16.1 Understand and explain that every organism requires a set of instructions that specifies its traits, that this hereditary information (DNA) contains genes located in the chromosomes of each cell, and that heredity is the passage of these instructions from one generation to another.
• SC.7. L.16.2 Determine the probabilities for genotype and phenotype combinations using Punnett Squares and pedigrees.
• SC.7. L.16.4 Recognize and explore the impact of biotechnology (cloning, genetic engineering, artificial selection) on the individual, society and the environment.