A solution: genetically modified crops
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can assess the advantages and challenges of genetically modified crops in tackling global food issues and environmental pressures.
Key learning points
- GM crops are plants whose genes have been altered in a lab to give them improved traits.
- GM crops offer higher yields, pest resistance, nutrition, climate resilience, longer shelf-life, and lower costs.
- Bt maize improved food security and income for many rural communities.
- Concerns include breeding super weeds, long term health issues, resistant pests and big businesses control.
- Bollworms developed resistance to Bt cotton in India.
Keywords
GM crops - plants whose genes have been altered in a lab to give them improved traits
Yield - the amount produced, especially in farming
Pesticide - substances that are added to soil or sprayed on plants to protect the plants from pests such as insects
Herbicide - substances that are added to soil or sprayed on plants to protect the plants from weeds
Common misconception
All the tests run on GM crops have found that they create no health issues.
Most major scientific bodies find no conclusive evidence of harm from approved GM foods, which have all been tested. However, some animal studies raise questions, and critics argue that long-term human studies are limited.
Teacher tip
There is potential for a creative homework. Can students come up with a crop that would change the world? What challenge are they trying to overcome? Which crop should be selected for modification - one that is eaten a lot, but hasn't been modified already? How would it be modified? Be realistic!
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords with their meanings:
Resource that can be replaced naturally
Resource that will run out one day
Use that meets needs now and in future
Materials from nature useful to people
Q2.Which of these is a renewable resource?
Q3.Which of the following is not a natural resource?
Q4.What does 'sustainable use of resources' mean?
Q5.Resources that can be replaced naturally are called .
Q6.Which country uses the most energy per person?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Match each keyword with the correct short definition:
Genes changed in a lab for better traits
Amount produced in farming
Kills insects and protects crops
Kills weeds and protects crops
Q2.What does 'GM' stand for in GM crops?
Q3.What is the main purpose of genetic modification in crops?
Q4.The total amount of food produced on a farm is called the .
Q5.Which statement best explains the issue with assuming GM crops are always safe?
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: A solution: genetically modified crops, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: A solution: genetically modified crops, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 geography lessons from the Natural resources: Can Earth meet our needs? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.