• About
• How It Works
• Expanded Lessons
• Combined Lesson
• Samples Activities
• Order
  

• PCR Bingo Game

  Brand-new game based on our PCR hands-on activity, available as a download for no-cost!
  VISIT backyard bingo page

• New resource available on loan at no cost!

  Based on our "Culprit's Spell" activity, this board can be used in the classroom. See if you can identify microbes by reading the clues.
  CAN YOU GUESS CORRECTLY?
  
  

  A variety of other educational resources are also available on loan at no cost, including displays and games. Click on the image above to see what is available.

Solving a mystery with science

Backyard Mystery is an NSF-funded curriculum, focused on diseases, pathogens and careers, using interactive paper and physical activities. Content is for middle school participants in afterschool settings, like 4-H and other similar venues. The curriculum engages student interest in genetics and genomics and in the bioSTEM workforce. The curriculum adheres to National Science Education Standards in Life Sciences.

The curriculum is available in two forms: a combined lesson that brings all of the elements together in one session and another in which the content is broken out into three separate lessons.

We also have another curriculum, DNA for Dinner, which is also available for download. Please visit our page dedicated to this project!

Explore the curriculum

• The curriculum is flexible depending on your group size and available time. The expanded lessons are appropriate if you have three sessions that will allow you to cover the entire curriculum. Only one session? Check out the Combined Lesson!
  HOW IT WORKS

• For example, want to explain how PCR or ELISA work? Fun activities are available for participants to experience either via paper or hands-on versions.
  Sample Activities

• Downloading the curriculum is easy and complimentary! Click below to complete a form to get PDFs of the curriculum.
  COMPLIMENTARY DOWNLOAD