All grades
Project
1 week
1-pager
Question
Question
Students will encounter puzzling mutation-related phenomena, build foundational understanding of how environmental factors can alter DNA and proteins, and develop focused, investigable research questions with testable hypotheses that will guide their week-long investigation.
Day 1
Design
Design
Students will design a rigorous, peer-reviewed methodology to investigate how a specific environmental mutagen influences genetic mutations, ensuring their approach matches their research question, identifies variables clearly, and includes a detailed data collection and quality control plan before beginning evidence collection.
Day 2
Analyze
Analyze
Students will interpret their mutation investigation data by creating meaningful visualizations, identifying patterns and anomalies, challenging one another’s interpretations, and connecting evidence back to their original research question and hypothesis before moving to final conclusions.
Day 4
27 min over capacity (45 min available across 1 day)
Conclude
Conclude
Students will synthesize their investigation findings on environmental mutagens, draw evidence-based conclusions, explicitly acknowledge limitations, generate new research questions, and present and defend their claims to an authentic audience during the Mutation Fair.
Day 5
No activities have been added to this phase yet.
Question
Days 1–1
Day 1
🕵️ Mutagen Detectives Game
Launch
15m
🧬 DNA Mutation Modeling Mini-Lab
Knowledge/Skill Building
15m
🌍 From Wonder to Research Question
Deliverable
15m
Design
Days 2–2
Day 2
📚 Mutagen Source Scan
Research
10m
📝 Mutation Investigation Blueprint
Deliverable
10m
✅ Approved Investigation Plan
Assessment
5m
Collect
Days 3–3
Day 3
🧪 Data Quality & Variable Check-In
Knowledge/Skill Building
10m
🔎 Mid-Collection Data Audit
Knowledge/Skill Building
5m
💻 Simulation Trials & Observation Logs
Deliverable
25m
Analyze
Days 4–4
Day 4
📊 Choosing Graphs for Mutation Data
Knowledge/Skill Building
12m
🔎 Pattern & Anomaly Protocol
Knowledge/Skill Building
15m
🗣️ Evidence Challenge Roundtable
Project Work
15m
🧬 Gene-to-Protein Impact Check
Knowledge/Skill Building
10m
📝 Preliminary Findings Summary
Deliverable
20m
Conclude
Days 5–5
Day 5
August 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
3
Day 1
Question
🕵️ Mutagen Detectives Game
🧬 DNA Mutation Modeling Mini-Lab
🌍 From Wonder to Research Question
4
Day 2
Design
📚 Mutagen Source Scan
📝 Mutation Investigation Blueprint
✅ Approved Investigation Plan
5
Day 3
Collect
🧪 Data Quality & Variable Check-In
🔎 Mid-Collection Data Audit
💻 Simulation Trials & Observation Logs
6
Day 4
Analyze
📊 Choosing Graphs for Mutation Data
🔎 Pattern & Anomaly Protocol
🗣️ Evidence Challenge Roundtable
🧬 Gene-to-Protein Impact Check
📝 Preliminary Findings Summary
7
Day 5
Conclude