Serendip
Genetics
A handout on genetic inheritance begins with a reading on alleles and how they can result in albinism. Junior geneticists learn to complete Punnett squares and participate in a coin toss simulation of allele pairing. They also learn...
Curated OER
Genetics: Mice Rule! (Or Not)
Students explore genetics and evolution by examining a hypothetical mouse population. Using coin tosses, they determine mouse traits of parents and offspring. Finally, they consider the outcomes of changing environmental conditions on...
Oklahoma State University
Hairy Heredity
Young scholars learn that heredity comes down to the flip of a coin with this cross-curricular math and science lesson plan. Using smiley faces as a model, students toss coins to determine which dominant or recessive traits will be...
Curated OER
Genetics: Who are you?
Study, manipulate, and research genetic traits. Discuss how genetic traits are passed from one generation to another. Classmates explore how they look like their parents and debate whether or not they can do anything about it? They...
Curated OER
50:50 Chances
Third graders reinforce the probability of gender by uising a coin toss, as they continue to search for the answers to genetics questions by using mathematical expectations of probability.
Curated OER
Designer Genes
Students view a video on DNA. They discuss mitosis, meiosis and fertilization. They use strips of paper to simulate fertilization and analyze the genotype and phenotype of the combined chromosomes.
Curated OER
Frankenfish
Students learn the difference between a genotype and a phenotype. They demonstrate that recombination of gametes (coins) will result in the formation of unique individuals.
Curated OER
Dare to be Punnett Square
Eighth graders become familiar with Punnett squares, specifically purpose, application and interpretation. Key terms from previous lessons (included below) are reviewed/reinforced before data is applied to a Punnett square and interpreted.
Curated OER
The Benefits of Biodiversity
Students examine the concept of biodiversity. They toss coins to determine what traits mouse parents have and the babies traits as well. They predict what would happen to the baby mice if the traits of the parents were different.
Curated OER
EMS Lesson 2: Outrageous Offspring
Students investigate the principles of probability that can be used to predict hereditary traits.
Curated OER
Population Study and Applications Using PTC Paper
Young scholars study human population traits. In this science lesson plan, students gain an understanding of the terms dominant, recessive, haploid (monoploid), diploid, genotype, phenotype, scientific sampling, and scientific modeling...
Washington State University
Washington State University: Learning Mendelian Genetics
A decent lab activity which could be used to introduce the concept of dominance and autosomal dominance. This site provides a coin toss activity to learn about Mendelian Genetics.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: The Benefits of Biodiversity
First, students toss coins to determine what traits a set of mouse parents possess, such as fur color, body size, heat tolerance, and running speed. Next they use coin tossing to determine the traits a mouse pup born to these parents...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Mice Rule! (Or Not)
Students explore the relationships between genetics, biodiversity, and evolution through a simple activity involving hypothetical wild mouse populations. First, students toss coins to determine what traits a set of mouse parents...